Iniko
Iniko | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Iniko Ijhara Dixon |
| Also known as | Iniko Dixon |
| Born | 26 October 1996 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | inikoworld |
Iniko Ijhara Dixon (born 26 October 1996), better known as Iniko, is an American singer-songwriter, producer.
Early life
Iniko Ijhara Dixon was born on 26 October 1996, Brooklyn, New York and is of Afro-Jamaican descent.[1] Their mother is of mixed heritage and their father Max Dixon is Jamaican, who was an integral singer of the American reggae band SoulJAHS, which briefly graced the music scene in the late 1980s.[2] [3] Raised in the Independent Fundamental Baptist tradition, Iniko received classical choral training in church youth programs in Brooklyn. They have publicly disclosed having experienced religious trauma, attributing much of their emotional and creative resilience to working through that past.[4]
Career
In mid-2017, Iniko started a career as a featured singer in the reggae band SoulJAHS, that led by their father Max Dixon.[2] Iniko collaborated with the band and contributed vocals to their compilation SoulJAHS, ReCreation (2018).
They was known by their full name, "Iniko Dixon" during their career.
Iniko began their solo career in late-2017, releasing their debut single "Along Came Love" featuring an American rapper Abso The Great, and also "Evol", "Fairytale" and "Sakura", on 10 November 2017. That year marked the beginning of their emergence as a genre-fluid artist combining Pop, R&B, hip-hop and soul.
In 2018, Iniko released their single "Kingdom" on 12 October 2018.[5]
Iniko’s breakthrough came with the release of "The King’s Affirmation" was released on 29 April 2021, which gained viral attention on TikTok and established them as a rising voice in soul music.[5] They arrives on Billboard’s charts, as their song “Jericho” debuts at No. 11 on R&B Digital Song Sales.[6][7]
Their debut studio album, The Awakening, was released on 31 January 2025.[8]
Personal life
Iniko publicly identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns.
In February 2025, Iniko stated that they have religious trauma.
Discography
Studio albums
- The Awakening (2025)
Extended plays
- Both Of Them (2020)
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ [9] |
UK [10] | |||||||||||
| "Along Came Love" (featuring Ab$o The Great) |
2017 | — | — | Non-album singles | ||||||||
| "Evol" (featuring Backstrom) |
— | — | ||||||||||
| "Fairytale" | — | — | ||||||||||
| "Sakura" | — | — | ||||||||||
| "Kingdom" | 2018 | — | — | |||||||||
| "Pinocchio" | 2019 | — | — | |||||||||
| "Luna" | 2021 | — | — | |||||||||
| "Hourglass" | 2022 | — | — | |||||||||
| "The King's Affirmation" | — | — | The Awakening | |||||||||
| "Jericho" | 2023 | 18 | 45 | |||||||||
| "Yosemite (Song For The Ahwahnechee)" | — | — | ||||||||||
| "Armor" | 2024 | — | — | |||||||||
| "Invasion" | — | — | ||||||||||
| "Satellite" | — | — | Non-album single | |||||||||
| "333" | — | — | The Awakening | |||||||||
| "God Body" | 2025 | — | — | The Awakening (Deluxe) | ||||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||
As featured artist
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Cream Rises (To the Top)" (SoulJAHS featuring Iniko) |
2017 | SoulJAHS, Re Creation |
Filmography
Iniko performed songs on the following film or series soundtracks:
- Naps (2018)
Web series
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Naps | Girl 1 | Cameo (Episode 3) |
| 2019 | Middle of Somewhere | Nick Morello | Main cast |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Presenter | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | GLAAD Media Awards | Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist | Nominated | [12] |
Tours
- The Awakening Tour (2025)
- Awakening The Empire (North America) (2025)
References
- ^ Zoe Dym (11 October 2022). "Genderless artist performs for Black LGBT community in Honolulu". Hawaii Public Radio. Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ a b "New Artist of the Month: INIKO". NYC Tastemakers. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ "Iniko: The Rising Artist with Jamaican Roots Redefining the Music Scene". LoudItUp!. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ Jaelani, Turner-Williams (12 February 2025). "Iniko Comes Into 'Awakening' On Their Multi‑Dimensional Debut Album". BET. Archived from the original on 14 February 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ a b "INIKO". Montreux Jazz Festival. Archived from the original on 24 April 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
- ^ Xander Zellner (19 April 2023). "10 First-Timers on Billboard's Charts This Week: Blondshell, Wednesday, PARISI, Letdown. & More". Billboard. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ Donelson, Marcy. "Iniko Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 13 August 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "INIKO INVITES YOU TO EXPERIENCE "THE AWAKENING"". Imprint Entertainment. Archived from the original on 13 August 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
- ^ Peaks on the NZ Singles Chart:
- "Jericho": "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. April 21, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Iniko". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Iniko – Jericho". MetroPro. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
- ^ Grein, Paul (March 15, 2024). "Reneé Rapp, David Archuleta Win in Music Categories at 2024 GLAAD Media Awards: Full Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2024.