KoOkOo
Dornika
Let’s search for purpose in this harsh world.
Tehran-born, Berlin-based musical creative, Dornika, is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, rapper, and music producer. Her unique style isn’t limited to one genre; instead, she explores “elements of jazz, hip-hop, pop, Iranian folk, voguing beats, techno, and experimental electronic music.” The gender-fluid Iranian-American artist first came to the US with her mom when she was seven. Then, she moved back to Tehran a few short years later. In 2017, Dornika moved to Berlin and established herself in the queer nightlife scene. With the alter-ego, Many Faced Godx, the artist combined drag, music, and dance performances in European festivals and clubs. Her activism strongly influences her work, which addresses “state violence, sexism, inequality, and mental health.” Her discography is available on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music. One of Dornika’s recent releases is the pop single “KoOkOo.”
This song should be on the radio. That’s the first thing I can say. “KoOkOo” is just as pop-filled and energetic as anything Dua Lipa can produce. However, the real importance lies in the words, because this is all about being lost in a new world. Lyrics like “Winter, gray skies. gray smile, distance, lonely in the system, tired of resistance, but I know I gotta make it” and “I was born in a cloud of smoke, in the dust of a town that had lost all hope, daily violence, taken silence, sound of sirens, with no guidance” reminisce on the experience of being a migrant and the struggle to find purpose within a harsh world. When you feel out of your element, there is another side to it. So, press play on Dornika and learn what it feels like to be “KoOkOo.”
Chicago based writer and creative. Fan of 80’s horror, fancy coffee drinks, and late night drives.
