How can you ignore an artist named Kuntfetish?
The Atlanta rapper had a wild 2024. She had a star-making guest verse on “GTFO” with Doechii, released her debut project, KLUBFETISH, and kept the internet buzzing with a series of eye-popping vlogs, music videos, and TikTok-peaks into her rockstar life. It’s easy to understand why listeners were intrigued: Her production exudes the feeling of a cathartic night on the dance floor, while her lyrics beg you to take notes on every punch line and steamy detail. Plus her look — a penchant for bold banged wigs, a pouty-faced mug and a color palette taken from early-aughts emo music — etches itself into your memory instantly.
“I grew up listening to bands like Pierce the Veil, Sleeping with Sirens, Asking Alexandria,” Kuntfetish tells PAPER. “I always like to let my inner emo child reflect in my looks.”
In 2025, the rising artist is continuing to up the ante. After her big look with Doechii (Nardwuar even shouted Kuntfetish out in his interview with PAPER’s favorite swamp princess), Kuntfetish is putting out the deluxe version of KLUBFETISH, and she’s ready for the journey the music will take her on.
“I’m excited for what [these songs are] going to bring to the club scene,” she tells PAPER. In addition to the deluxe release, New York fans were also just treated to a Valentine’s Day show with another 2024 breakout star, Cortisa Star. “Someone on Twitter quote-tweeted one of Cortisa’s photos and said, ‘This is what fetish thinks she looks like,’” remembers Kuntfetish. “We didn’t even know each other at the time, but we started following each other and talking about how our music is going to be the result of what happens when someone tries to put two bad bitches against each other.” Exactlyyy!
PAPER chatted with Kuntfetish about lessons learned from a busy 2024, her visual world and her Disney Channel-inspired bop, “London Tipton.”
You had a really busy 2024. What did you learn from this past year of making music and performing?
I really did. This past year I learned that anything is possible, not to be so hard on myself, make music when I can (don’t force it), and that rehearsing is so important (for me).
You have such an instantly recognizable look and visual world. What are your biggest inspirations visually?
I’m heavily inspired by hyperfemininity and hypermasculinity, anything in between is not really my gist. I also grew up listening to bands like Pierce the Veil, Sleeping with Sirens and Asking Alexandria, so I always like to let my inner emo child reflect in my looks.
You shined on “GTFO” with Doechii. How did you two connect? What was that collaboration like for you?
Thank you so much. She Instagram DMed me and was like, “I love your new song, I’m in New York and would love to have you come by the studio.” I was not in New York, but I got a flight for the next day and herstory was made. I love Doechii. She’s super talented, funny, and amazing to work with. That’s my sister.
How did you link up with Cortisa Star? Can fans expect a musical collaboration between you two in the future?
It’s actually funny how that happened. Someone on Twitter quote-tweeted one of Cortisa’s photos and said, “This is what Fetish thinks she looks like.” We didn’t even know each other at the time, but we started following each other and talking about how our music is going to be the result of what happens when someone tries to put two bad bitches against each other, so on that note, expect music in the near future.
As a Disney kid, I’m obsessed with “London Tipton.” What inspired you to write a song named after the Disney Channel icon?
I’m obsessed, too. I was actually on the phone with my girl Chi (she’s London-based) and she said the first order of business for me when I visit London is to make a British song. I was in the studio when she told me that and I just made it right then. I thought London Tipton was the perfect name for it because it’s basically a double entendre, nods to the sassy London Tipton and being that it was actually performed in a British accent.
What can fans expect from the deluxe version of KLUBFETISH?
Every song I’ve been making has been more poppy, more clubby, straying away from rap but remaining still with some rap elements. This new music is fun and enticing. I’m excited for what it’s going to bring to the club scene.
I’m heavily inspired by hyperfemininity and hypermasculinity, anything in between is not really my gist.
Photography: Skrats