Category: Artists to watch

Artists to watch · Interviews · music business · music industry interview

Exclusive Interview with GRAMMY-Winning Artist, Multi-Platinum Producer & Music2Deal Ambassador IKILL ORION who teams up with Industry icons Drake + Pharrell on the release of his groundbreaking new release ‘Younglord 2’

Featured Music2DealLeave a comment

Ikill Orion is more than just a name—he’s a force. As a Music2Deal Ambassador and a creative powerhouse with roots in Hollywood, Orion is shaping the future of music, fashion, film, AI, and beyond. With over 100 million global impressions and collaborations with legends like Jay-Z, Nile Rodgers, and Drake, he’s not just riding the wave—he’s creating it.

We sat down with Ikill Orion to talk about his journey, his label, global licensing, and his bold vision for the music industry.

Music2Deal: Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in the industry?
Ikill Orion: Hollywood global rising star in music, TV, fashion, film, AI, and lifestyle. I’m a platinum streaming artist with over 100 million impressions (including 1M+ likes, saves, follows, activations, streams, and clicks).
In addition, I work as an A&R, creative director, executive, consultant, and advisor. I’ve collaborated with Grammy-winning artists, super producers, Fortune 500 companies, and A-list celebrities.
I’ve worked with icons like Jay-Z, Nile Rodgers, and Drake—just to name a few!

Music2Deal: Have you licensed your music or signed artists on an international level?
Ikill Orion: Yes, my in-house company LE KIL owns a catalog of 222 songs. We’ve had great success placing our music and masters in TV, film, web, and ad campaigns through sync and licensing deals globally.
I collaborate with all the major labels and am currently looking to nurture and sign artists (who have both talent and a budget) to major label development deals.
We’re not a cookie-cutter company—we believe in the power of true A&R. We only sign artists who understand the business and are ready to invest in their careers.
Our bespoke services include branding, consulting, advisory, management, production, songwriting, image/styling, playlisting, and distribution via the Big 3: Universal, Sony, and Warner.

Music2Deal: In your opinion, which countries offer the best opportunities for music licensing today?
Ikill Orion: The marketplace is constantly shifting—so really, everywhere and everything is up for grabs!

Music2Deal: What are some of the standout projects you’ve completed recently?
Ikill Orion: One of my major projects is the killer new album “Y O U N G L O R D II”, a high-profile collaboration featuring Drake, 2 Chainz, Desiigner, Lil Yachty, and surprise guest appearances from multi-platinum producers and Grammy-winning artists.
It’s dropping on 8/8.
The first volume, “Y O U N G L O R D” (now streaming), is powered by AI and includes tracks like:
“Alpha”, “Invincible 3:16”, “Kink Tut”, “Like Paradise”, “Meta 4 Play”, “Rock Bottom”, “Haus of Love”, “Party in the Afterlife”, and “Stargaze”.

Music2Deal: Are there any upcoming projects or tours we should look out for in 2025?
Ikill Orion: Yes—major tours are in the works for 2025. I’m also working on TV, film, and fashion deals, as well as investor partnerships, brand endorsements, and sponsorships.
All of this is aligning with the launch of my new global media/content/venture/brand/platform called LE KIL—an artist-driven startup currently in stealth mode.

Music2Deal: What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the music industry right now?
Ikill Orion: Everything is broken and needs fixing!

Music2Deal: How do you think that challenge can be addressed or overcome?
Ikill Orion: Only time will tell, but change has to start with artists putting themselves first—and audiences finally recognizing the value of music.
Music is art, and art is commerce—so let’s treat it that way.

Music2Deal: What are your main goals or plans for the coming year?
Ikill Orion: World dominance.

A good word on Music2Deal.com
Music2Deal has always been a ray of light and beacon of hope—providing opportunities, tools, and resources for artists, executives, and creatives. It’s a safe space to connect and network.

For more info, press, updates, and exclusives check out:
https://linktr.ee/ikillorion
Music2Deal Profile
https://lekil.beehiiv.com/p/enter-a-new-dimension-the-elite

Book Ikill Orion – 1 on 1 consultation
https://intro.co/IkillOrion

Buy Now – Ikill Orion  ”Younglord 2 ”  Feat. Drake, Pharrell, 2 Chainz, Gucci Mane,
Young Thug , Lil Yachty & Desiigner 
https://linktr.ee/ikillorion

Artists to watch · Interviews · music industry interview · Music2Deal.com

Award Winning Australian singer/songwriter Andy Penkow

Featured Music2DealLeave a comment

Award Winning Australian singer/songwriter Andy Penkow is known for his songwriting skills and smooth, powerful vocals. many charts entries. So far he has released 20 singles to radio and 8 singles have reached No.1 across multiple Australian Country Radio Charts.

His latest album “Love, Lies & Dirty Dishes” peaking at No.3 on the ARIA Charts, No.2 on the Australian Apple ITunes Charts and No.4 on the Australian Independent Albums Chart.

In 2023 he was nominated for a Golden Guitar Award and have previously won 2x People’s Choice Awards (“Best Bush Ballard 2023” and “Most Promising Rising Star 2022”), 3x Independent Country Music Awards (“Most Popular Male Artist 2023”, “Most Popular Music Video 2023”, and “Most Popular New Male Artist 2022”), a “Best Male Vocalist” award at the 2021 Gold Medallion Awards, five “Purple Air Guitars”, and was the winner of the “Australian Busking Championships 2019 – Gundagai”. Internationally, two of his songs peak at No.1 on the Nashville Country Independent Radio Charts, his album “Love, Lies & Dirty Dishes” peaked at No.1 for three weeks at the Canadian CFUR Radio charts, and his song “Ghostly Gums” peaked at No.2 on the UK Country Radio Charts.

Music2Deal: Tell us a bit about yourself?

Andy: I am an Australian Singer/Songwriter from a small town in Sussex Inlet, New South Wales. I would consider myself to be a contemporary, americana country artist with a bluesy, soulful voice. I grew up surrounded by different styles of music, heavily influenced by my grandmother who was a professional opera singer, and my mother’s collection of classics including Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley and Neil Young.

Music2Deal: Why do you think your kind of music will do well internationally?

Andy: My music is all about the storytelling and the emotions. A representation of my travels and life experiences. I believe my music transcends through languages, borders and differences and can be relatable on many different levels. My songs have charted Top 5 in four different countries, Australia, USA, UK and Canada, and my 4th studio album, scheduled for release in May 2024, was co-written and produced in Canada.

Music2Deal: Notable projects you have completed

Andy: I have created 4 studios albums, have released 20 songs to radio, have created and released 8 music videos, and have had 8 number one charting songs on Australian Country Radio. In 2022/23, I have toured across every state and territory in Australia, completing more than 130 gigs.

Music2Deal: Upcoming projects / tours?

Andy: My 4th studios album is scheduled for release in Australia and Canada in May 2024. The first single from this album is scheduled for release in October 2023. I will be relocating from Australia to Canada in March 2024 to promote my new album and tour across Canada, UK and USA.

I have another 45 gigs booked between now and March 2024 in Australia.

Music2Deal: What do you think is the single largest problem faced by the music industry today?

Andy: Outside usual responses from musicians around the lack of fair financial compensation from streaming platforms, I personally think that the single largest problem faced by the music industry today is the lack of support, pathways and opportunities for upcoming musicians/independent artists. Unless you are a signed label artist or have connections with organisers and representatives, it is virtually impossible to get into music festivals and receive fair airplay on commercial radio stations.

Music2Deal: How do you think it can be resolved?

Andy: Decisions on government funding should be made by a fair and broad independent committees, not consisting of major labels and commercial radio representatives, and radio stations should have a weekly quota to play a select percentage of independent and upcoming artists.

Music2Deal: Your plans for next year?

Andy: I will be relocating to Canada in March 2024 to promote my music and my 4th studio album.

Music2Deal: A good word on Music2Deal.com

Andy: Music2deal is a fantastic integrated online platform for music industry professionals and creatives from around the world to network and engage”

Links:

Profile from Andy Penkow on Music2Deal.com

Wanna be one of 17,000+ music professionals on Music2Deal like Andy Penkow? Join for free at https://music2deal.com

Artists to watch · Interviews · music industry interview

Interview with Ikill Orion

Featured Music2DealLeave a comment

“If David Bowie & Grace Jones spawned a love child” – Music Week

International acclaimed artist Ikill Orion has worked with multiple Grammy Winners including icons Jay-Z, Punk-Funk legends Fishbone & Super-Producer Nile Rodgers (Madonna, David Bowie, & Duran Duran). 

The ascending Orion star, Ikill has been featured on BBC Radio, (UK) Music Week, MTV & in Billboard Magazine (2x).

As a global lifestyle brand (music, fashion, tv/film, tech) & tour-de-force of nature he’s amassed a music catalogue of over 100+ killer tracks in all genres that he’s written, produced, & re:mixed. As an Ascap prolific writer, agent for change and advocate for music reform his songs has been used in adverts, campaigns (Amnesty International & Black Lives Matter) tv/film & commercials and are available for placement opportunities. He’s been called a Pop Provocateur being the host & co-producer  of ‘Provocouture TV’ a reality based show that revolves around the world of music, fashion, culture, style  & transformation.  

A Creative A&R, Executive & Music/Entertainment consultant Ikill Orion is the CEO of an International artist development/branding agency Brandelux based in LA/NYC/London/Japan. The company “transforms artists into brands” by nurturing,cultivating, packaging & pitching them for worldwide deals.He’s worked with luxury brands, icons, celebrities, rock stars, major labels, TV Networks, media buyers,start-ups, Grammy winners, super-producers,Platinum artists & emerging acts….are you next?

iKill003

Music2Deal: Have you licensed your music / signed your artists internationally? Which country do you think is the best to license music to? Why?

Ikill: My music catalog consist of over 100+ tracks that I wrote,executive produced, and /or re:mixed  in all genres (hip hop, rock, pop, edm/dance, alternative, soul,punk, world, afrobeat, etc…) I think it’s important for both artists & creatives to own as much content and songs as possible giving yourself opportunities to license and monetize off your works. I have been fortunate to have ‘select songs’ from my extensive catalog placed for sync opportunities for TV/Film, Commercials,  & adverts. In terms of licensing I feel emerging territories such as China/Asia, Africa & of course Europe are all prime for present day placement potential. The key is to have songs in your catalog/repertoire that , not only have universal appeal, but songs that have staying power and have a sound that’s uniquely yours—we are living in an age where distinction is paramount considering mass consumerism & oversaturation…it’s my mantra to stay connected to the music while maintaining artistic freedom & intergrity.

 

Music2Deal: Notable projects I have completed/ upcoming projects/plans for 2021?

Ikill: In addition to my music catalog which is available for sync placements and a publishing deal ..my team & I are seeking global licensing oppportunities/ a label signing for my new genre defying ground breaking upcoming album x live! stream ‘Mikillangelo’. I’ve done deals w/major labels in the past and have built an original sound  & vision (Bowie R.I.P.) creating a world of my own…

Having worked with Grammy winners & icons such as Jay-Z, producer extroadinaire Nile Rodgers my new project ‘Mikillangelo’ ushers in a new.wav it’s a modern classic. During covid- 19 I wrote & executive produced it which I had felt a burnin’ desire and yearning to showcase my depth and range as a global artist/lifestyle brand. The (7) song album odyssey contains the bonus ‘HaloStrangelove’ Depeche Mode cover track. The new sound is what we call Hip-Pop and we’re excited for the world to hear it and we look forward & welcome to working with anyone who may be interested in getting involved with the project. We are planning to debut the project during both SXSW ’21 x Midem Music Conference ’21 in Cannes, France.

My lifestyle brand which consist of (music, fashion, tv/film, art, beverage, tech & activism) is getting lots of interest regarding partnerships, sponsorships and alliances..it’s extemely vital for artists to tap into their brand, so when my creative A&R /branding agency (Brandelux) work with an artist or client in terms of development we look for talent, ambition, drive & desire–all essential ingredients needed in order to build an artist career and transform the into brands. Currently I am developing & producing a TV show ‘Provocouture TV’ and we’re looking to align with networks and streaming platforms regarding deals such as distribution &  licensing maximizing on programming opportunties,so 2021 is gearing up to be a year of the independent! 

press pic 10

Music2Deal: What do you think is the single largest problem faced by the music industry today? How do you think it can be resolved?

Ikill: The single largest problem looming over the music endustry by far is artists not being able for artists to sustain and /or progress their careers due to economic challenges and the grossly overlooked royalty rate issue that desperately needs to be reckonized and rectified. We are in desperate need of music reform…and in drastic times calles for drastic measures!! 

Musicians are not getting paid fairly and this 20th century mode of thinking has to stop. It’s a huge issue for 1 person to bare alone we as a collective industry have to make it our main priority if we intend to co-exist within a fair and healty music eco-system. I personally believe now more than ever we need to use our voice as an instrument of change empowering artists…lobbying & implementing music reform is the first step.

Let your voice truly be heard!!

 

Music2Deal: Your artists are…. 

Ikill: We always have our ears and feet on the ground looking to develop, nurture, package and pitch artists for opportunities. I look for artists who are bold & original and have a willingness to do the necessary work in terms of building their career, but also maintining longevity. Talent is one thing ,but to have a good understanding of the of the nature of the business is another important aspect. Patience goes a long way as well. The A&R services we provide such as Artist Development, Management, Branding, Consulting, Music & Video production, Image/Styling, etc… are all bespoke, so we decide along with our artists where the focus of attention needs to be.

 

IKill Orion´s profile on Music2deal