OUT NOW: idkraeven – ‘NETHERWATER’

idkraeven used to believe life ends after childhood. With an emotionally abusive home life and unresolved emotional turmoil, her only respite became writing songs in the barn behind her adoptive parents’ house in West Covina, California. During a period of homelessness after being kicked out at 17, she continued to write and post songs to Soundcloud and grow a healthy TikTok following; at 19, she was discovered by TAG music and signed to a record deal. Inspired by artists like Lil Peep, Brakence, and Twenty One Pilots, idkraeven brings a fresh feminine perspective to the emo scene, infusing her unique blend of emotive lyricism into melodic rap vocals, accompanied by trap drums and acoustic guitars. 

Working with producer Devin Corey (tiLLie, McCall, Cassie Marin), her debut EP, NETHERWATER, positions idkraeven as the calm amidst the chaos that once defined her surroundings; and through this collection of songs, she reflects on her journey, shedding light on her struggles and eventual triumph over dysfunction. 

idkraeven‘s gut-wrenching story begins in foster care at just three-years-old – subjected to emotional abuse from her adoptive parents for the majority of her early life. NETHERWATER delves into her story, with themes of Hell being repeated throughout the EP. The project’s title ‘NETHERWATER’ is an ode to the River Styx, which in Greek mythology, is the river that flows through the Underworld, separating it from the mortal world. The river is believed to possess mystical properties that make those who touch or consume its water immortal. The songwriter shares, “Metaphorically, I feel as though I am sitting amidst the waters of the Styx, physically unscathed and protected, but mentally tormented by the surrounding view of hell. The title encapsulates the dichotomy of feeling physically invincible but mentally damaged.”

The EP enters with “BLEED OUT,” setting the tone for the rest of the project. As idkraeven reflects on the wreckage, outwardly unscathed while inwardly traumatized, this track acts as the ultimate “fuck you” to her adoptive parents. idkraeven confides, “I call them out in the first line, asking if they’re satisfied with the havoc they wreaked on my life, after they kicked me out at 17. In this song, I speak about the struggle, pain, and mental torture it’s taken to slowly claw my way up to stability. This song was also made with the intention of holding Christian parents accountable not to cherry-pick the Bible when trying to raise their “good Christian kids”. You can’t hate me for being a bisexual stoner and then turn around and claim that you make a conscious effort to display Jesus’ love to others. Jesus thinks I’m cool as fuck.”

“BLEED OUT” also sheds light on the foster care system’s brokenness and lack of the structure needed to provide a child with a home.

NETHERWATER also details raw and vulnerable stories around sexual abuse, relationships and breakups, such as “myskinisraw” and “shit” where idkraeven is fearless in speaking her truth, as well as topics surrounding mental health issues and insecurities such as “soul spillage” and “STR8FRMHLL”. 

Bringing the EP to a dark and suspenseful close is “monotony,” a track which is a reiteration of idkraeven‘s state of mind throughout the creation of this entire project. She confides, “I was sleeping on couches, in garages, at various friend’s houses, just shuffling around and chasing highs all while “trying to find myself”. I was constantly searching for new distractions and ways to meander around my dreams while blaming it all on my financial and mental instability. Everything HAS been the fucking same for too long. But I’ll change that. You’ll see.” 

Completely unafraid to share her story, idkraeven has successfully rallied an army of supporters eagerly waiting to hear more – including a number of artists in her scene reaching out to praise her first single “myskinisraw” (Lil Xan, Goner & TikTok star Carrington AKA $wag Nightmare.) Her TikTok storytimes have gone viral multiple times, garnering over 18 million likes and building an impressive social media following. It’s clear for idkraeven that although her childhood is over, life has only just begun.