Reality show contestant Iykki to perform live in the city on Sept 3

There is no story behind the stage name Iykki Berry. My mom is very passionate about Tamil and literature. When I was born, my parents wanted to give me a unique name and wanted it to be in Tamil, so they named me Iykya, which means unity or harmony. But since I was always a show kid, this unique name came in handy,” says Iykki Berry, an independent artist, rapper and doctor.

On cloud nine over the release of her latest single Thalayaatti Bommai featuring Chinna Ponnu, Iykki is gearing up for her live performance, ‘Rapsilla Concert’ on September 3 at Phoenix Marketcity.

Speaking to DT Next about how art happened to her she says, “Since I was the only child, my parents wanted me to learn everything. They enrolled me in singing, Bharatanatyam, Western hip hop, arts and craft; you name it and I was learning it. Arts was my way of expression and still is.”

After having completed her schooling in Thanjavur, she did her MBBS in Puducherry and then went on to specialise in Cosmetology. She opened her own clinic, Dr Berry, in Chennai. But how the sudden shift from medicine to arts? Iykki says she knew at some point in life she would go back to arts because it is a part of her.

“I always wrote raps and songs even while I was working. I used to give them to my friends to perform. Once, he insisted that I sing, because he felt I have a rapper’s voice and that’s how I began. I would write a song every day at work, come back home and record it and those songs would just sit in my phone,” she chuckles.

Finally gaining the courage to put her work out for people to criticise. Through social media, she met her now friend and number one supporter, Dev Major, a music producer with whom she collaborates. “We began recording songs and I go more confident with my craft. It was initially very scary. But now I enjoy seeing people recognise and appreciate my work,” she says.

Talking about her upcoming show she says, “I’m really excited to perform live. I will be performing Yela, Rani and Thalayaatti Bommai. The love I’ve been receiving for Thalayaatti Bommai is crazy and I’m looking forward to seeing the same reactions live!”