ICYKOF, the Grailed fashion blogger-turned-electronic producer/DJ, is primed for a breakthrough year with the highly anticipated release of his debut EP, ‘ZERO SUGAR’, dropping April 3 via RAVE NUIT. Before the full project lands, he teases fans with its second single, “PAYDAY,” a raw, acid-fueled club weapon set to drop January 29.
Once known for his work on Unknown Vlogs, where he documented streetwear culture at the frontier of fashion, Kofi McCalla has now carved out a new lane in underground electronic music. His ZERO SUGAR EP pays homage to Detroit techno pioneers like Underground Resistance, Robert Hood, and Steve Reich, blending industrial grit, hypnotic percussion, and deep warehouse energy.
Already, previous singles “BRING IT BACK” (with a remix from Bambounou) and “SHE KNOWS” (remixed by NYC’s MoMa Ready) have earned praise from tastemakers like Chloe Caillat, I.JORDAN, re:ni, HAAi, Yu Su, and legendary figures such as Josh Wink, Ryan Elliott, and DJ Bone.
Now, with “PAYDAY”, ICYKOF takes a different approach, stepping away from deep dub techno in favor of a slow-burning acid house devastator. With its lo-fi drum machine rhythms, pulsing 303 bassline, and nods to acid house pioneers like Phuture, Armando, and Larry Heard, the track is an unapologetic homage to the genre’s roots while keeping one foot firmly in the future.
With ZERO SUGAR, ICYKOF is crafting more than just a record—he’s building a techno-punk aesthetic that reflects his own creative reinvention. “PAYDAY” is out January 29, setting the stage for the full EP’s arrival on April 3.
Get ready—ICYKOF is just getting started.