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Zak Tor Adebanwo Sten Arogundade Gaterud (born 23 October 1994), known professionally as Ecco2K, is a British-Swedish singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, model, fashion designer, and visual artist. Arogundade founded the band Krossad with Bladee, his then-classmate, in 2004. Three years later, he founded his first fashion brand, Alaska, and later joined the Swedish shoe brand Eytys as a designer. He founded Drain Gang with childhood friends Bladee, Thaiboy Digital and Whitearmor in 2013. Ecco2K appeared on albums with Drain Gang and directed music videos before releasing his debut solo studio album, E, in 2019. He released the EP PXE in 2021, and the collaborative studio album Crest in 2022. Arogundade is a private and secretive person who has incorporated queer themes in his work.

Biography

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1994–2012: Early life and career

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Zak Tor Adebanwo Sten Arogundade Gaterud[1] was born in Stockholm, Sweden,[2] on 23 October 1994.[3] His mother is a Swedish makeup artist, while his father is a British graphic designer, writer, and architect of Nigerian heritage.[4] For a short time, he lived with his father in London; he spent most of his childhood with his mother in the Hornstull area of Stockholm.[4][5]

Benjamin Reichwald (Bladee, pictured in 2016), a frequent collaborator of Arogundade

Arogundade had his first experiences with visual art at age five, when his father gifted him a graphics software program and taught him how to use it; Arogundade created album covers and logos for imaginary bands.[4] In 2004, he became classmates with Benjamin Reichwald (Bladee) and founded the punk-oriented project Krossad ("crushed" in Swedish) the same year.[2][4] They released a demo CD in 2007.[6] That same year, Ecco2K created a fashion label, Alaska, a streetwear brand. Although he was only 16 years old, he managed to develop the brand through online communication with Chinese factory managers who were unaware of his age.[2][4] This experience led him to join the Swedish sneaker brand Eytys.[4]

2013–present: Drain Gang

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In 2013, Arogundade founded the Drain Gang collective, first called Gravity Boys, with childhood friends Bladee, Thaiboy Digital, and Whitearmor,[5] adopting the alias Ecco2K.[2] The four had been a part of the musical group Smög Boys.[7] The name "Ecco2K" was inspired by the titular character of the Ecco the Dolphin video game series.[8] Drain Gang signed with Year0001[7] and began regularly collaborating with the group Sad Boys and their labelmate Yung Lean.[5][2][7] That same year, Arogundade became Lean's creative director.[2] Still in 2013, Arogundade started his music career by releasing singles "Bleach", "Hold Me Down Like Gravity", and "Mirage";[9] "Hold Me Down Like Gravity" received a music video directed by Arogundade himself.[10] In 2015, he released an instrumental EP, Crush Resist.[6] He later appeared on the Drain Gang compilation albums D&G (2017) and Trash Island (2019).[9] Arogundade also founded the fashion brand g'LOSS, under which he designed Drain Gang merchandise.[2]

Cover for E (2019)

In 2017, Arogundade began to perform solo live sets for the first time.[2] The following year, he modelled at Paris Fashion Week for Alyx Studio; he also appeared at London Fashion Week's "Challenge the Fabric" competition as a panelist.[2] On 27 November 2019, Arogundade released his debut solo studio album, which was also a surprise album, E. To record it, Arogundade had to leave his day job as a designer and photo retoucher at Eytys.[2][5] It was recorded in Stockholm, Berlin, Los Angeles, London, Falun, and Bangkok,[11] and preceded by singles "AAA Powerline" and "Fruit Bleed Juice", with the latter receiving a music video.[2] The next year, Arogundade toured Europe[12] and released more music videos for E songs: "Peroxide" on 29 January[12] and "Security!" on 30 July.[13] That year, he also released singles "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" with Bladee on 24 February[14] and "Pollen" on 17 September, in which Arogundade sings in Swedish.[15]

On 31 March 2021, Arogundade released a surprise EP, PXE, fully accompanied by a video from artist and animator Freddy Carrasco.[16] Unlike E, PXE was entirely produced by Arogundade.[17] On 19 January 2022, he released the standalone single "Amygdala" with Bladee.[18] On 17 March, they released a collaborative studio album, Crest,[19] which was recorded in the Swedish countryside.[20] The Fader staff considered it the 22nd best album of 2022,[21] while Pitchfork included it in their list of best progressive pop music of the year.[22] After the album's release, Arogundade toured worldwide with Drain Gang in their first world tour as a collective.[23] He left Year0001 in 2023.[24]

On 19 April 2024, Arogundade released a collaborative single with Bladee and Thaiboy Digital, "TL;DR".[25] He played at the Sydney Opera House on 1 June.[26] On 14 May 2025, Arogundade released the song "MAKKA" with British rapper fakemink, produced by longtime collaborator Mechatok.[27] On June 12, Arogundade was featured alongside Bladee on Mechatok's "Expressions on Your Face" from his debut studio album Wide Awake.[28]

Musical style and public image

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Arogundade is part of Drain Gang, a group of electronic and cloud rap musicians.[4] Although Drain Gang's music is intimate, their lyrics often reflect universal human experiences, rather than specifically their own.[29] Arogundade has maintained a separation between himself and his music, explaining that he does not see Ecco2K as representative of who he is as a person.[2] Jayson Greene wrote to Pitchfork that Arogundade produced "dissociation music" with "numb disorientation, but with flutey, high, fairy-like voices flitting about the mix", and that he "sounds less like a human and more like a pixelated sprite". Greene added: "The immersion in smoother and more hospitable worlds than the real one is everywhere".[8] Writing for the same website, Nadine Smith noted Ecco2K's "fluttering, almost angelic falsetto".[30] David Crone of AllMusic said that, in 2013, Arogundade's style was "rough yet original, combining distant, hollowed-out vocals with cloudy instrumentals and emotive lyricism". He added that over the decade, Arogundade "embraced technological, forward-thinking sounds taking influence from the rising hyper-pop and hyper-rap subgenres", consolidating his futuristic style with E in 2019.[9]

Like other members of Drain Gang, Arogundade is a self-taught musician.[29] As a designer and editor, Arogundade directs and edits most of his own music videos, and has directed and edited multiple music videos for other artists,[2][4] including Yves Tumor.[7] Commenting on his video work, he said he attempts to "express that there is beauty and magic here, but without putting special effects on it".[31] According to Cassidy George of 032c, Arogundade has increasingly incorporated queer themes into his work, citing Arogundade's feminine presentation in the "Amygdala" music video. George said that the inclusion of these themes increased Drain Gang's LGBT listenership and helped nonbinary, queer, and trans people embrace their own identities.[29]

Initially, Arogundade attempted to maintain privacy and secrecy regarding his personal life;[4][5] until 2018, he kept his Instagram account private,[5] as he dislikes making his personal information public.[4] Although he has attempted to distance himself from Drain Gang's "obsessive fanbase", in the past, his fans have hacked his cellphone and social media accounts, leaked his music, and contacted his relatives.[2] He commented that he found it "strange... to be such a big part of other people's lives".[4] He has been impersonated on Facebook at least twice.[4]

Discography

[edit]
Studio albums
  • E (2019)
Extended plays
  • Crush Resist (2015) (reissued as Cr₂ (Live) in 2025)
  • PXE (2021)
Collaborative projects

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ecco2K

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from Grokipedia
Ecco2K (born Zak Arogundade, October 23, 1994) is a British-Swedish multidisciplinary , renowned as a , designer, model, director, and visual primarily based in , . A founding member of the influential Swedish collective —initially known as Gravity Boys—he co-established the group in 2013 alongside childhood friends , , and producer Whitearmor, contributing to its signature sound in , experimental electronic, and alternative hip-hop genres. His work often delves into themes of , self-discovery, and existential , blending ethereal production with introspective . Ecco2K's musical journey began in 2012 under his , with early contributions to the Swedish underground scene through collaborations and mixtapes. He gained prominence within , appearing on collective projects like D&G (2016) and directing several music videos for the group, while his solo debut album (2019), released via the label , marked a breakthrough with tracks such as "Peroxide" and "Fruit Bleed Juice" (produced by ), earning praise for its innovative soundscapes and visual aesthetics. Subsequent releases include the EP PXE (2021), the collaborative album Crest with (2022), and 2025 works such as the single "MAKKA" with fakemink and Mechatok, alongside "Expression On Your Face" (featuring Ecco2K and ) and a live version of Cr₂, showcasing his continued evolution in and trance-infused styles. Beyond music, Ecco2K's creative output spans and , where he founded the clothing label at age 16 and later contributed to brands like and g'LOSS, including a notable runway appearance for Alyx at in 2018. His and directorial work extends to videos for artists like ("Noid," 2018, editor) and within , emphasizing a cohesive aesthetic of brutalism, pixie-like whimsy, and digital that permeates his multifaceted career. Raised between and after his parents' separation, he drew early inspiration from his father's , beginning visual experiments at age five and solidifying his role as a boundary-pushing figure in and music.

Early life

Family background

Ecco2K, whose real name is Zak Arogundade, was born on October 23, 1994, in . As of 2025, he is 31 years old. His mother is a Swedish , contributing to his upbringing in a creative environment steeped in and . His father, Ben Arogundade, is a British-Nigerian graphic designer, writer, and architect whose work in design and multimedia influenced Ecco2K's early exposure to artistic tools and concepts. The multicultural dynamics of his family—blending Swedish, British, and Nigerian influences—fostered an early immersion in diverse artistic expressions, with his father's introduction to software around age five sparking his initial creative pursuits. This blended heritage shaped his multifaceted identity, emphasizing visual and performative arts from childhood. Raised primarily in Stockholm's Hornstull neighborhood after his parents' separation, with his father based in , these familial elements laid the foundation for his later work in music, design, and fashion.

Upbringing and early interests

Zak Arogundade, known professionally as Ecco2K, spent much of his childhood in the Hornstull neighborhood of , , where he was primarily raised by his Swedish mother, a , following his parents' separation. This urban, creative enclave in the city's district provided an environment steeped in artistic influences, shaping his early worldview. His family background, blending Swedish and Nigerian heritage through his British-Nigerian father—an , , and —subtly fostered a diverse appreciation for global aesthetics and self-expression from a young age. A brief relocation to during his early childhood exposed Arogundade to a different cultural rhythm, though he returned to by age two, solidifying Hornstull as his formative home. Influenced by his parents' professions, he developed self-taught interests in design and visuals, beginning around age five when his father introduced him to software. This early access sparked a fascination with digital creation, allowing him to experiment independently without formal training. Before turning ten, Arogundade's creative pursuits centered on and sketching, often using basic tools to visualize ideas inspired by his surroundings and family discussions on . He extended these explorations into elements, blending sketches with simple digital manipulations to craft personal visuals, laying the groundwork for his later artistic endeavors. These pre-teen activities reflected an innate drive toward interdisciplinary expression, nurtured in a that valued innovation over convention.

Musical career

Early projects (2004–2012)

Ecco2K, born Zak Arogundade in 1994, co-founded the punk band Krossad with his classmate (Benjamin Reichwald) in 2004 at the age of 10, marking his initial entry into music as preteens experimenting in bedrooms with rudimentary instruments. The duo bonded over shared interests in music and art, thrashing out raw punk sounds in a DIY fashion that reflected their youthful enthusiasm despite limited resources. By 2007, Krossad had evolved to include additional members Jim and Albin, releasing their first and only known recording, the demo album Jävla Äckel, produced in a home studio called Ägg Studio in . This self-recorded effort, featuring tracks like "Sparka Sönder Mig" and "Jävla Äckel," showcased aggressive and punk influences, with on vocals and Ecco2K handling guitar. The demo, distributed informally on CD, represented a pivotal milestone in their self-taught production journey, as Ecco2K learned music software and recording techniques independently through without formal training. After Krossad, Ecco2K focused on self-taught production skills and early experiments, with no major releases until his musical journey began in under the stage name. During this period, his skill development centered on hands-on experimentation within Stockholm's , where he forged early connections among like-minded teens in the city's DIY punk and creative scenes. These formative years laid the groundwork for broader collaborations, emphasizing collaborative growth in a tight-knit, resourceful environment.

Drain Gang involvement (2013–2018)

In 2013, Ecco2K co-founded the collective in , , alongside , , and producer Whitearmor, emerging from the earlier informal group Smög Boys. The formation was proposed by Whitearmor and , who had recently connected with the others through shared musical interests, marking a shift toward a more structured collaborative effort focused on experimental hip-hop. Initially operating under the name Gravity Boys Shield Gang (GTBSG), the group emphasized communal creativity, with 's temporary relocation to facilitating closer integration. During this period, developed a distinctive "dissociation music" aesthetic, characterized by numb disorientation, ethereal production, and high-pitched, detached vocals that evoke alienation and existential themes. Ecco2K played a pivotal role in shaping this sound through his sprite-like, pixelated vocal style, which conveyed and otherworldliness, as heard in tracks blending with lo-fi beats to create an immersive, reality-detached atmosphere. The collective's shared vision drew from influences like Buddhist notions of impermanence and decay, refining a smooth, immersive style that contrasted with mainstream rap while building on the wave popularized by affiliates like . This aesthetic solidified through intensive sessions in , where the members experimented with fashion-forward visuals and meme-like online lore to cultivate a . Ecco2K's contributions included prominent vocal and production roles in early releases, such as the 2013 GTBSG Compilation mixtape, where he provided verses and co-production on tracks like "" alongside and . He continued this involvement in subsequent projects, featuring on seven tracks of the 2017 collaborative album D&G, delivering introspective lyrics and layered harmonies that enhanced the group's dissociated vibe. While AvP (2016), a and EP, highlighted the collective's rotating dynamics with Whitearmor's beats, Ecco2K's input extended to broader production support during this era. The group's dynamics were deeply influenced by their collaborative living and creative immersion in , fostering a tight-knit environment that blurred lines between , , and daily life, though challenges like Thaiboy Digital's eventual return to added layers of transience to their workflow. Milestone events included signing with the independent label in 2016, which provided distribution and amplified their reach beyond uploads. This affiliation, combined with ties to the Sad Boys crew, built significant underground buzz by 2018, as their innovative sound and enigmatic persona garnered attention from international tastemakers and a growing online fanbase attuned to their existential ethos.

Solo releases and independence (2019–present)

In 2019, Ecco2K transitioned toward solo artistry with the release of his debut album E on November 27 via the label, establishing his individual voice within the collective through experimental electronic and elements. The project, self-produced in large part, marked a breakthrough by showcasing his production skills and ethereal soundscapes, diverging from group dynamics while building on prior collaborations. Following E, Ecco2K issued the EP PXE on March 31, 2021, also through , which further honed his minimalist aesthetic with tracks emphasizing autotuned vocals and ambient textures. This period included select singles, such as "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" with released on February 24, 2020, blending pop covers with their signature glitchy production. In early 2022, the duo dropped "" on January 19 as a , setting the stage for their collaborative album Crest, released March 17 via , which served as a pivotal bridge blending solo independence with lingering group ties through co-production by Whitearmor. Ecco2K supported these releases with live , including a 2020 tour that highlighted tracks from E amid pandemic constraints. Post-Crest, he joined for their first worldwide in 2022, spanning , , and beyond, where sets featured a mix of solo and collective material to affirm his evolving role. He also performed a DJ set at in on September 28, 2024, blending his catalog with ambient selections. By 2023, Ecco2K departed from to focus on self-managed projects, citing a desire for greater creative autonomy as announced via . This shift enabled more eclectic endeavors, reducing reliance on group structures and emphasizing independent ventures. In , he collaborated on the single "TL;DR" with and , released April 19, exploring raw, introspective beats outside label constraints. That year, he performed at the on May 31 during Vivid LIVE, delivering a set of ambient and hip-hop-infused tracks in the Theatre. Into 2025, Ecco2K's activities diversified further with the single "MAKKA" with fakemink and Mechatok on May 14, incorporating multimedia visuals. He featured on the track "Expression On Your Face" from Mechatok's album Wide Awake, announced June 12, 2025, and released August 8, 2025, contributing ethereal vocals to its electronic framework. Later that year, the live EP Cr₂ (Live) emerged on October 31, capturing performances with a focus on improvisational elements, available in physical format by November. DJ sets followed at the Biennale Musica in Venice on October 25, where he curated experimental soundscapes during the Festival Internazionale di Musica Contemporanea. These pursuits underscored his move toward multifaceted, self-directed output.

Artistry

Musical style

Ecco2K's music is characterized by a blend of electronic genres, including , , and experimental rap during his early career with , evolving into more experimental territory with elements of EDM, , rock, and industrial sounds in his solo work. His contributions to emphasized hazy, ambient textures often described as "dissociation music," featuring distant, hollowed-out instrumentals that create a sense of detachment and ethereal drift. In his solo releases, such as the 2019 E and the 2021 EP PXE, he shifts toward brutalist aesthetics with ear-splitting layers of and post-digital experimentation, incorporating glitchy interruptions, crushing bass, and influences. This evolution continued in 2025 with the live EP Cr₂, emphasizing power , industrial techno, and abrupt interruptions, as well as collaborations like "MAKKA" featuring finger-plucked guitar, purring bass, and electronic wanderlust, and "Expression On Your Face" incorporating trance-infused . Vocally, Ecco2K employs an angelic , often refracted through heavy to produce dream-like, otherworldly effects that balance vulnerability with metallic edge. His half-baby, half-androgynous delivery—sometimes whispered or crooned—layers tenderness over abrasive backdrops, enhancing the futuristic and nostalgic quality of his tracks. This technique, self-taught and refined through collaborations, allows for mesmerizing performances that contrast soft, shimmering melodies with harsh noise. In production, Ecco2K favors self-taught methods utilizing synthesized plucks, lush sweeping pads, bubbly keys, and futuristic soundscapes built from reverb-drenched synths and ambient bleeps. Tracks often feature noisy climaxes and cassette-tape distortions, drawing from influences like and to create warped, shiny textural environments. Instrumentally, he integrates chaotic elements such as noise bursts. This evolution from Drain Gang's ambient haze to solo-era intensity underscores his genre-defying approach, prioritizing visceral sonic exploration over conventional structures.

Themes and influences

Ecco2K's lyrics recurrently delve into themes of drug dependency, self-hatred, racism, longing, dysphoria, love, privilege, queer identity, and dissociation, often drawing from personal anguish and societal alienation. In his debut album E (2019), these motifs manifest through confessional explorations of substance abuse and existential dread, as seen in tracks reflecting insomnia and romantic yearning, while addressing the complexities of mixed-race identity and feelings of otherness in Sweden. Queer identity emerges through androgynous presentations and lyrics evoking gender dysphoria, such as expressions of nausea upon self-reflection in the mirror, intertwined with dissociation as a mode of emotional disconnection in Drain Gang's broader oeuvre. His work emphasizes personal expression through individuality, cycles of , and floral symbolism, particularly in recent collaborative and solo efforts. On the 2022 album Crest with , lyrics portray death as a natural cessation of suffering within life's impermanent loop—"Suffering stops, bodies drop/Flowers sprout, bloom, die and rot"—evoking Buddhist notions of renewal and transience. These elements underscore an ongoing on and growth, aligning with Ecco2K's reflections on embracing one's essence amid fluidity, as seen in self-produced works like the 2021 EP PXE exploring autonomy and non-conformity. Influences on Ecco2K stem from an eclectic palette, including the underground Stockholm scene via Drain Gang's formative collaborations with Bladee, Thaiboy Digital, and producers like Whitearmor, alongside experimental figures such as Yves Tumor, who contributed to tracks on E. He has described his sound as "pixie music," blending ethereal, spellbinding songwriting with brutalist edges, while embodying a post-digital Renaissance ethos through digital soundscapes inspired by emo, pop, and urban decay. Lyrically, Ecco2K employs an abstract, introspective style that prioritizes emotional fragmentation and cultural , shaped by his British-Swedish multicultural background and sense of perpetual otherness. His narratives unfold in impressionistic, dream-like sequences with confessional clarity, fragmenting experiences of identity and belonging to highlight hybrid influences from diverse environments.

Fashion and visual arts

Design and fashion ventures

Ecco2K, born Zak Arogundade, began his foray into fashion design in his youth, leveraging graphic design skills introduced by his father at age five to create early visual works that evolved into apparel. At 16, he founded the streetwear brand Alaska in 2010, handling all aspects from design to production by coordinating directly with a factory in China, despite his young age. This self-initiated venture served as a means to synthesize his diverse interests, producing apparel often worn by members of Drain Gang and Sad Boys collectives, though it was later discontinued and became rare on the second-hand market. Alaska laid the groundwork for his later imprint, g'LOSS, established around 2015 as a personal "Beauty Company" focused on clothing and accessories, primarily in collaboration with Drain Gang. His design philosophy adopts a multidisciplinary lens, integrating industrial and technological aesthetics with themes of emotion, self-discovery, and individuality to challenge and foster unique self-expression among . Arogundade prioritizes creative , viewing as a core extension of his artistic identity rather than a secondary pursuit, and favors unique, non-mass-produced items like secondhand pieces to ensure personal distinction. This approach manifests in g'LOSS's high-tech, hypebeast-infused , which draws from Japanese punk influences and emphasizes bold, futuristic silhouettes over conventional trends. Key projects trace from his adolescent sketches and designs under to professional lines like g'LOSS, which has produced limited-edition items such as T-shirts and jerseys stamped as official merchandise. He has collaborated on footwear design with the Swedish brand , including the Morso model in 2016 and a Spider sneaker with , contributing as a , , and retoucher. These efforts peaked in the 2020s with integrations into major events, such as his runway appearance for Alyx at in 2018 and subsequent attendances at shows, including the Spring/Summer 2025 and Spring/Summer 2026 presentations. Initial designs in the were intertwined with music visuals, evolving into standalone ventures that highlight his non-conformist ethos. Business-wise, Arogundade has managed these endeavors independently, from Alaska's production to overseeing g'LOSS as a self-directed imprint post his early music label affiliations, focusing on limited-run that promotes individualistic expression. This hands-on model underscores his commitment to artistic integrity, with g'LOSS releases often produced in small editions in locations like to maintain exclusivity and quality.

Modeling and multimedia work

Ecco2K, born Zak Arogundade, began his modeling career as a child, leveraging his distinctive appearance to stand out in early fashion contexts. By 2016, he gained prominence through a Vogue feature highlighting his multi-hyphenate talents and ever-changing hairstyles, which contributed to his androgynous and ethereal persona in the fashion world. This persona was further showcased in a 2019 appearance in The Face magazine, where his visual style emphasized fluidity and personal reinvention. His runway work includes walking for Alyx Studio during in 2018, embodying a futuristic and provocative aesthetic aligned with the brand's hardware-focused designs. These appearances underscore his role as a model who blends performance with visual artistry, often refusing conventional gender norms through ethereal, otherworldly presentations. In visual direction, Ecco2K has taken on editing and directing roles for projects, including the video for "Fruit Bleed Juice," where he handled direction, editing, and conceptualization to create a strobe-lit, industrial exploration of fluidity. His video editor credits extend to standalone pieces that prioritize visual experimentation, such as those teasing his solo works. Ecco2K's expansions reflect a multidisciplinary approach, as profiled in Office Magazine, where he is described as refusing to conform to singular artistic boxes, integrating video, graphics, and performance into broader creative outputs. This ties briefly to his ventures, where visual elements inform product aesthetics without dominating his performative roles. At the core of his work is an artistic viewing visual as a "second coming of age" for personal discovery, a theme he articulated in a 2019 as central to his evolution and self-exploration. This integration allows him to explore individuality through , emphasizing daily self-growth and creative autonomy.

Discography

Solo works

Ecco2K's solo discography consists primarily of experimental electronic and releases, beginning with early self-recorded projects and progressing to polished studio efforts under the Year0001 label before shifting to independent self-releases. His debut studio album, , marks a pivotal entry, followed by EPs that explore live reinterpretations and noise-infused soundscapes. Standalone singles from the pre- era serve as precursors to his full-length work, while post-2023 outputs emphasize autonomy following his departure from .

Studio albums

  • E (stylized as ℮; November 27, 2019): Ecco2K's debut full-length solo album, released digitally and on vinyl through (catalog YR0096). Recorded across locations including , , , , and , it features 12 tracks blending , , and ambient elements, with production contributions from collaborators like Shanti (). The album was surprise-released and later issued in physical formats, including a black vinyl pressing with printed insert.

Extended plays

  • Crush Resist (alternatively titled CR_2015; recorded 2015, released November 17, 2017): A three-track EP self-released via Ecco2K's personal account, produced entirely on an 5. Tracks include "1st Crush [Antifreeze]," "3rd Crush [Crush Resist]," and "7th Crush [1st Kiss]," showcasing lo-fi experimentation. No formal involvement, available digitally only.
  • PXE (March 31, 2021): A five-track EP released through (catalog YR0132), self-produced and performed by Ecco2K. Clocking in at 10 minutes, it delves into glitch pop and , accompanied by visuals from artist Freddy Carrasco. Formats include digital files, with a physical vinyl edition released January 31, 2023.
  • Cr₂ (Live) (October 31, 2025): A five-track live EP self-released via to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Crush Resist. Capturing performance reinterpretations recorded in in 2015 and 2021, it features reimagined versions such as "3rd Crush (2nd 3rd)," "7th Crush (3rd 7th)," "7th Crush (6th 7th)," "19th Crush (11th 19th)," and "21st Crush (1st 21st)." Written, performed, and produced solely by Zak Arogundade (Ecco2K's ), it emphasizes power and aesthetics in a 20-minute runtime, available digitally and on vinyl as of November 18, 2025.

Solo singles

Ecco2K's standalone solo singles predate his major releases, functioning as teasers for the thematic and sonic directions of . Post-2023, following his exit from , no verified solo singles have been issued as of November 2025, with focus shifting to EP formats.
  • AAA Powerline (February 2, 2018): A single released through , produced by Shanti. The track previews the experimental and style of , later included on the album. Digital format only.
  • Don't Ask (Quick Slip) (November 11, 2018): Self-released digitally via , produced by Whitearmor. Sampling Bladee's "Lovenote" (2016), it explores emotional introspection over a 2:14 runtime and was refined for inclusion on . No label affiliation.

Collaborative works

Ecco2K's collaborative works span group projects with and subsequent features with affiliates and external artists, showcasing his vocals, production, and songwriting contributions. During the era from to 2018, he participated in key collective releases, providing vocals and production on tracks that defined the group's experimental sound. In , Ecco2K featured on the GTBSG Compilation, a debut by , himself, and , where he contributed vocals to multiple tracks including early collaborative efforts like "Riptide." His involvement extended to production roles on select cuts, helping establish the collective's atmospheric aesthetic. By 2017, he appeared on seven tracks of the album D&G alongside and , delivering vocals on songs such as "I Don't Like People" and co-producing elements that blended synth-heavy beats with introspective lyrics. Additional group EPs and mixtapes from this period, like contributions to AvP (2016) by and , included his featured vocals on "Brokeboy" along with production, tying into the non-exhaustive discography highlights such as shared beats on "Trash Island" precursors. Post-Drain Gang, Ecco2K's collaborations shifted toward duo and feature formats. He released the collaborative album Crest with in 2022, a nine-track project entirely produced by Whitearmor, featuring ethereal tracks like "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" (originally a 2020 single) where Ecco2K handled lead and harmonized vocals. The album emphasized their intertwined vocal styles and received acclaim for its cohesive, dreamlike production. Featured singles further highlight his external input. In 2020, Ecco2K joined on the single "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," blending upbeat melodies with themes of escapism through shared verses. This was followed by "" with in 2022, a Mechatok-produced track with Ecco2K's vocals evoking rave-like , released as a standalone single. In 2024, he featured on "" alongside and , a Whitearmor-produced reunion track with rapid-fire flows and nostalgic energy. More recent works include the 2024 single "TL;DR" with (also featuring ), marking a brief nod. In 2025, Ecco2K collaborated on "MAKKA" with fakemink, produced by Mechatok, delivering a wanderlust-driven track with plucked guitar and bass elements. He also guested on Mechatok's debut album that year, providing vocals on "Expression On Your Face" alongside , contributing to the project's hyperpop-infused sound. Other credits encompass guest appearances in non-Drain projects, such as vocal features on 's 2019 album Legendary Member (tracks like "IDGAF") and production assistance on 's 2017 mixtapes, underscoring his role as a versatile contributor beyond solo endeavors.
ReleaseYearCollaboratorsEcco2K's RoleSource
GTBSG Compilation2013, Vocals, productionSpotify
AvP2016, Vocals (on 'Brokeboy'), productionGenius
D&G2017, Vocals (7 tracks), co-productionGenius
Crest2022Vocals, songwritingPitchfork
Girls Just Want to Have Fun2020VocalsLyrical Lemonade
2022VocalsHypebeast
TL;DR2024, VocalsHypebeast
MAKKA2025fakemink (prod. Mechatok)VocalsPitchfork
Expression On Your Face (from Wide Awake)2025Mechatok, VocalsOne to Watch

References

  1. https://index.year0001.com/article/ecco2k
  2. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/02/style/zak-arogundade-a-musician-and-designer-from-stockholm.html
  3. https://theface.com/music/ecco-2k-stockholm-sadboys-yves-tumor-interview
  4. https://www.onestowatch.com/en/blog/fakemink-ecco2k-mechatok-makka
  5. https://genius.com/artists/Ecco2k/albums
  6. https://www.vogue.com/article/musicians-zak-arogundade
  7. https://musicbrainz.org/artist/66ab36ce-8f58-46fb-9284-396c2c90ecbd
  8. https://draingang.fandom.com/wiki/Ecco2K
  9. https://nudapaper.com/ecco2k/
  10. https://index.year0001.com/article/bladee
  11. https://index.year0001.com/article/krossad-javla-ackel
  12. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/ecco2k-pxe-ep/
  13. https://index.year0001.com/article/drain-gang
  14. https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/57505/1/drain-is-officially-a-genre-here-are-five-drain-gang-albums-to-stream-now
  15. https://www.last.fm/music/Drain%2BGang/%2Bwiki
  16. https://pitchfork.com/features/overtones/the-rise-of-dissociation-music/
  17. https://genius.com/albums/Bladee-ecco2k-and-thaiboy-digital/Gtbsg
  18. https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/interpreter/ecco2k/2549076
  19. https://year0001.com/label/cases/yr0132
  20. https://year0001.com/label/cases/yr0158
  21. https://index.year0001.com/article/drain-gang-2022-world-tour-second-leg
  22. https://mixmag.net/read/sad-boys-drain-gang-artists-year0001-split-news
  23. https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/vivid-live/3ndles5-presents
  24. https://genius.com/Fakemink-ecco2k-and-mechatok-makka-lyrics
  25. https://pitchfork.com/news/mechatok-announces-debut-album-taps-ecco2k-and-bladee-for-new-video-watch/
  26. https://www.labiennale.org/en/music/2025/music-performances/agnese-menguzzato-morgana-moor-mother-ecco2k
  27. https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/ecco2k-53d98fc9.html
  28. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/ecco2k-e/
  29. https://berkeleybside.com/more-experimental-delight-on-ecco2ks-pxe/
  30. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/21stcenturyschi/album/194448-e/
  31. https://soulfeederweb.com/reviews/ecco2k-e-review/
  32. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/ep/ecco2k/pxe/
  33. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/1520187-ecco2k-cr2-live.php
  34. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/fakemink-ecco2k-mechatok-makka/
  35. https://open.spotify.com/track/0w7D97OKS6CN9KZyKqoFUn
  36. https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/83407/ECCO2K-E/
  37. https://knowledge.uchicago.edu/nanna/record/15093/files/Dababneh_Dissertation.pdf
  38. https://cvhsnews.org/10009/arts-entertainment/crest-ecco2k-and-bladees-alternative-exploration-of-spiritualism/
  39. https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/84908/ECCO2K-PXE/
  40. https://officemagazine.net/ecco2k-its-pixie-music
  41. https://index.year0001.com/article/alaska
  42. https://dailycollegian.com/2023/03/ecco2k-exploring-individuality-through-multifaceted-art/
  43. https://index.year0001.com/article/g-loss
  44. https://index.year0001.com/article/drain-g-loss-t-shirt
  45. https://gloss.gl/
  46. https://index.year0001.com/article/eytys
  47. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/bladee-and-ecco2k-attend-the-acne-studios-womenswear-spring-news-photo/2174506246
  48. https://www.alamy.com/paris-france-01st-oct-2025-ecco2k-attending-the-acne-studios-womenswear-springsummer-2026-show-as-part-of-paris-fashion-week-in-paris-france-on-october-01-2025-photo-by-aurore-marechalabacapresscom-credit-abaca-pressalamy-live-news-image702976479.html
  49. https://officemagazine.net/ecco2k-all-trades
  50. https://index.year0001.com/article/e-ecco2k-2
  51. https://www.discogs.com/master/1727350-Ecco2K-E
  52. https://index.year0001.com/article/crush-resist
  53. https://www.discogs.com/release/32249157-Ecco2K-Crush-Resist-CR_2015
  54. https://index.year0001.com/article/pxe
  55. https://www.discogs.com/release/18299551-Ecco2k-PXE
  56. https://ecco2k.bandcamp.com/
  57. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/ep/ecco2k/cr%25E2%2582%2582/
  58. https://index.year0001.com/article/aaa-powerline
  59. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/ecco2k/aaa-powerline/
  60. https://genius.com/Ecco2k-dont-ask-quick-slip-lyrics
  61. https://www.reddit.com/r/hiphopheads/comments/9w6lu3/fresh_ecco2k_dont_ask_quick_slip/
  62. https://genius.com/albums/Bladee-ecco2k-and-thaiboy-digital/D-g
  63. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/bladee-ecco2k-crest/
  64. https://index.year0001.com/article/crest
  65. https://blog.lyricallemonade.com/p/girls-just-want-to-have-fun-bladee-ft-ecco2k/
  66. https://hypebeast.com/2022/1/ecco2k-bladee-amygdala-watch-listen
  67. https://hypebeast.com/2024/4/drain-gang-tldr-music-video-info
  68. https://www.onestowatch.com/en/blog/mechatok-bladee-ecco2k-expression-on-your-face
  69. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/kalos4l/list/388081/drain-gang-full-history/
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