A Decade of Musical Magic with Ichon & Dr. Martens
Ichon goes beyond simply being an artist.The French-Cameroonian is a storyteller who is always finding ways of merging his heritage with the vibrancy of his home city Paris. Born and raised in the French capital, his music is a dynamic fusion of cultures, personal narratives, and unapologetic individuality. With a sound that flows between hip-hop and soul, Ichon crafts stories that feel like intimate conversations, where every lyric digs into themes of belonging, self-discovery, and joyful rebellion.
His sonic influences run deep into the history of his origins, into the stories of struggle and celebration that come from navigating diasporic history and diverse realities. And it’s this duality–of being here and there, in between cultures and sounds—that fuels his creative process. Speaking of Ichon’s approach to creativity, it’s a refreshingly honest one: “I can’t control inspiration. I let it come to me, I grab it and try to hold on to it until it disappears again”. Sometimes this means going two months without making music, but hey, creativity isn’t linear, it’s about what you feel and what you want to say—and that is something not to be rushed.
His mantra? “Il suffit de le faire, pour de vrai” (Just do it, for real). It’s an ethos that aligns perfectly with his decade-long relationship with Dr. Martens. Since picking up his first pair in 2012, they’ve been his go-to for five years of performances and musical magic. In a world obsessed with categorizing, Ichon remains unconcerned with fitting in: “It’s the world that’s changing on its own, and I'm the product of a city full of diversity. All I do is spit out what life gives me”. It’s this unfiltered honesty, combined with his unique cultural perspective, that makes his voice one of the most intriguing in Paris’ evolving music scene.
You’ve mentioned your French and Cameroonian roots are strong influences in your music. How do these two cultures shape your sound and lyrical choice?
My latest album is called Kassessa, in reference to Makossa, a style of Cameroonian music. In the ‘80s, Manu Dibango brought this music back into the spotlight, to the point of being sampled by Michael Jackson. Today, I am working on my new album, which I hope will continue to advance the legacy of this music that had such a big impact on my life since childhood.
Paris has such a rich history in the arts—how has the city influenced your journey as an artist?
I started writing songs on the streets of Paris, wearing headphones and writing in my notebook as I walked around. I've always dreamt of Parisian lamp posts as spotlights, as if the city were a photo studio or cinema in which I was shooting a video clip. This city is so cinematic and inspires me to live the emotions that I transpose into music.
Are there any specific moments or places that have inspired your work?
Inspiration is really magical, I'd love to have a specific place or time that inspires me, but it doesn't work that way with me. I can't control inspiration. I let it come to me, I grab it and try to hold on to it until it disappears again.
Outside of music, what influences you the most in everyday life?
Discussions with the people around me, movies and real life.
Your music feels very personal, almost like storytelling. How do you approach songwriting?
Ever since my first project, I've had a phrase that I like to say: ‘That's life, and I make songs out of it’.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far, and how did you overcome it?
Learning to sing and play the piano for my first album. I isolated myself, changed a lot of habits, and it felt like starting from scratch all over again. However, fresh starts allow you to question old structures and free your creative mind. I think this challenge allowed me to truly get in touch with all my musical influences.
What’s one message you want people to take away from your music, especially for those navigating their own sense of identity and belonging?
My message is clear: ‘Il suffit de le faire, pour de vrai’ (‘You just have to do it, for real’). Everyone can be the person they want to be. You have to work for it, concentrate, and look within yourself to find out who you really are without comparing yourself to others. I think that's the key to finding peace.
Can you share a memorable moment from a performance where you felt a deep connection to the crowd?
I remember one time I couldn't speak because my voice was totally broken. I went up on stage, people shouted my name and infused so much energy in me. And just like magic, I sang for an hour as if there was nothing wrong with my voice. And when I came down from the stage, my voice was broken again.
Dr. Martens has always represented rebellion, individuality, and breaking the mold. How do these values align with your own journey as an artist?
That's what I mean with “Il suffit de le faire, pour de vrai”. I think that if everyone concentrates on themselves without looking at others, and therefore without envy or jealousy coming into play, then we'll go further and peace will triumph. Self-love is important. Reconnect with your own desires and not what society wants from you.
How does the 1460 boots fit into your story of self-expression, both on and off stage?
The Dr. Martens 1460 boot is a classic because it goes just as well with a jogging suit as it does with a suit. They're comfortable and inexhaustible. They really are a pair made for performance in life or on stage–I bought my first pair of Dr. Martens in 2012 and I wore them for five years on stage.
