Hako Interview
Allow me to introduce Hako, a talented artist who hails from the vibrant city of Istanbul, Turkey. Having spent the first ten years of his life immersed in the rich cultural tapestry of Istanbul, Hako’s artistic journey began to flourish in this captivating environment. However, destiny beckoned, and Hako’s path led them to the diverse and dynamic city of London.
Now at the age of 16, Hako has embarked on a creative exploration, driven by his passion for artistry and the desire to share their unique perspective with the world. The experiences and influences garnered from both Istanbul and London have undoubtedly shaped Hako’s artistic identity, infusing their work with a delightful fusion of cultural nuances and diverse artistic expressions.
With a youthful spirit and boundless curiosity, Hako embarks on a creative journey that promises to unfold with captivating brilliance. The world eagerly awaits the artistic offerings that Hako will unveil, as his unique voice continues to evolve and flourish in the realm of creativity. Together, let us dive into the realm of Hako’s artistry and embark on an enchanting voyage of discovery and inspiration.
What initially sparked your interest in pursuing a career in music, and how did you embark on your musical journey?
There are videos of me playing the drums when I was maybe 20 months old, to the tempo and everything, singing with it. When I was maybe 8–9, I loved to write poems. I wasn’t a genius or anything but it was easier than writing stories and diary entries etc. and I just really felt like I had to write the thoughts in my head somewhere. Somewhere along the path, these 2 concepts just clocked together and became the music I make now.
Can you share a bit about your background and upbringing, and how it has influenced your artistic style and approach to music?
My mum and dad met at a musical choir, my mum was at the Conservatoire for Cello and both my sisters sang throughout their teen years. Growing up, my family always listened to ‘quality’ music. Music that took time to carve out and perfect. It was nothing like rap. Now, I find it easy to make catchy but unique melodies, probable thanks to my background in hearing music play and seeing family perform with freedom.
Your songs like “Stunning,” “Monroe,” and “OverYou” have garnered attention for their emotional depth. Could you tell us about the creative process behind these tracks and the personal stories or themes they explore?
Monroe was the first song I ever made. Not the first written but the first recorded and engineered by myself. It’s a pretty anticlimactic story but I saw my sister watching a documentary about Marilyn Monroe as I passed by the TV and inside just murmured “I got some drugs I might go…” The beat by 2Lz just perfectly complemented the flow of the chorus. The verse of the song is from an altercation I had with my ex, where lust felt as if it was taking over. Pretty harsh concepts for a 15-year-old…
Stunning was a lot more powerful than that. Me and the guys went to a Ken Carson concert and I would watch the crowd feel the music more than the performer. I said to myself “You really have to make a song that is going to make people just leave their problems behind, focus on bass.” The ‘I like…’ start to the song was heavily inspired by UK rapper Fimi Guerrero’s song ‘I LIKE.’
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and in what ways have they shaped your sound and artistic growth?
XXXtentacion and Kendrick Lamar. Classic. I would say recently though, Autumn! Jaydes, Ken, Lone, and Bryson Tiller come to mind. Although I never really like to try to sound like another artist, it’s mostly the potential to make music like them that inspires me to think like the artist I’m listening to.
What other hobbies or interests do you have besides music that contribute to your creative inspiration?
It isn’t something you hear from a teen rapper but I want to study medicine, so I like learning about the human body, chemistry, care, and all the medical stuff really. I used to play a lot of basketball back in Istanbul but had to stop when I came to London. I never really link any personal hobbies to music, though, because I want my sound to feel universal, relatable.
How would you describe the atmosphere and music scene in your hometown, and how has it impacted your artistic development?
It was much different from what I make now. Like crazy different. Turkish Arabesk and Pop music have very unique styles and even though I never really looked into it that much, I do feel the softer melodies Turkish singers use have definitely influenced me.
What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered as an artist, and how have you managed to overcome them?
Self-doubt, self-doubt, self-doubt… and maybe a bit of promo struggle. After Monroe’s success, as happy as I was, it put a lot of pressure on me to then have a 2–3 consistent song run. I didn’t expect anything from music and honestly, it was more for my close circle and myself, most importantly. Most rappers show off this crazy ego when they reach short-term success. It only leads to an even bigger fall when you build an imaginary staircase. The way I counter this and still do is to have honest friends with me who share their real opinions, it keeps me grounded and rewards me when the song hits.
Can you talk about your musical style and how you strive to create a unique and distinctive sound that sets you apart from other artists?
I want to have a catalog that is filled with different emotions, sound-schemes, and lyric content so that you can basically click on my profile and just relate to anything you want, from one artist. Creatively, I am really exploring what I can do with the vocal range I have. I feel like I can almost make it sound like there are more than 1 or 2 artists on the song (more in the future…)
Are there any recurring themes or messages that you explore in your music? What motivates you to delve into those particular topics?
Not really, to be fair. I genuinely just make music depending on how I feel, with an emphasis on me. If a really hype song does well I am not going to force myself into overloading on hype songs. If I feel down, I’ll vent my feelings in another way, for example.
What do you hope listeners will take away from your music in terms of emotions or connections to their own lives?
I just want people to hear how they feel. Reflect on it, heal on it. I don’t want to make some deep lyrical music. Just something you can vibe to, whether positive or negative.
Can you provide any insights into upcoming projects or collaborations that your fans can anticipate?
I have a double-sided EP coming out very soon called ‘Seasons.’ It will explore 4 different genres I have never stepped into. It’s very experimental for me, ranging from modern disco to jazzy RnB.
What are your short-term and long-term goals as an artist, both creatively and professionally?
My short term goal is to have a consistent tiktok account that gets me a consistent amount of views to build on. My long term goal I’d say is to get a song with 100k streams and creatively step out of my comfort zone along with it.
If you could perform or collaborate with any musician or artist, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
Definitely Lucki, Autumn, or Fimi Guerrero. They are all artists I am massively influenced by and who have helped me from dark places, even. All of their work has gone into mine in any shape recognizable, so working with any would be amazing.
Anything else you want the audience to know about you?
I have some projects and plans in place which no other underground artist has. Don’t join the wave when I start taking off, shits lame. I truly love and appreciate everyone who supports me, in a critique way or as a supporter, every real person.
