"Distance": A Poem

ICTOOICY is a 19-year old rapper based in Lagos. The self-described ‘poet with a flow’ has a musical universe built around her own unique style of lo-fi hip-hop, presented using introspective themes of love, self-confidence and her struggles with mental health. The biggest quirk of her art is melding these mature subjects together with the mastery of a veteran. (Think if Lana Del Rey and Earl Sweatshirt had a rhyme-obsessed, Nigerian love child). Her most recent project, “Sorry I Don’t Like Phone Calls” peaked at the #3 spot on Apple Music’s Alternative Album chart. “Distance”, her new poem is an ARTISH exclusive, steeped in feels of longing and optimism for expired love. It’s a sad but oddly perfect piece for this cautious time in our lives, where the need to stay apart has never been more central to our survival. Listen and read below:

Miles apart

But you have my heart 

You’re in everything I do

Especially my art

I feel warmth

I feel peace 

Even though you’re away

You’re still with me

No more phone calls

No more plans

Just memories 

Of the things we were meant to be

Didn’t get to say goodbye 

Don’t get to say hellos

I really wish 

You were only dead to me

Sometimes I close my eyes

And you’re all I see

Everything reminds me of you

Especially the trees 

Especially the wind 

And everything free

I really hope you’re free

Wherever you are

I feel you in every single star

I really hope you smile 

Wherever you are

Remember me 

And I’ll remember you 

In every shooting star

-ic 2020

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Stream ICTOOICY’s new single “Die For You” via SoundCloud here