01Profile
A Andre Kodjo Photo
Andre Kodjo
Tattoo Artist — Melbourne
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Andre, born in Lagos, Nigeria yet spent most of my younger years in a town named Lecco, on Lake Como in Italy. At sixteen, made the decision to move to London before I ended up in Australia.
What do you do?
Currently a part-owner and tattoo artist at The Melbourne Compendium.
Describe your style in three words?
Fast, comfortable, black.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to in Australia?
Migos, Culture Album Tour, 2017. The biggest song from the album was 'Bad & Boujee' with Lil Uzi but I was a big fan of 'T-Shirt'.
Which Australian subcultures have influenced you?
Unfortunately none. Most of my influence comes from my time spent in the UK and Italy; for the UK it would be the grime/street culture/hooligans and when it comes to Italy, it would be the football.
Best Australian musician?
Babyface Mal. I like his flow and I feel he’ll be going places.
Where is your favourite independent venue in Australia?
Compendium Gallery, if you’re ever in Melbourne make sure to check it out.
What is Australia’s best-kept secret?
9-11 was an inside job. To be honest, no idea.
Best place to hang out in Australia?
In my time in Australia, I’ve been to a couple of places in New South Wales and Queensland before ending up in Melbourne and would have to say that Melbourne is by far the most easy and chill place to hang and live.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Cleanin’ Out My Closet' by Eminem. I remember this album being one of the first I’d purchased with my own money.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'P.I.M.P.' by 50 Cent.
One record you would keep forever?
'Get Rich or Die Tryin' by 50 Cent is the hardest album - even so many years later it’s still relevant and relatable.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"'Please don't die over the neighbourhood / That your mama rentin' / Take your drug money and buy the neighbourhood / That's how you rinse it' / I bought every V12 engine / Wish I could take it back to the beginnin' / I coulda bought a place in Dumbo before it was Dumbo / For like 2 million / That same building today is worth 25 million / Guess how I'm feelin'? Dumbo"
From 'The Story of O.J.' by Jay-Z.
A song you wished you had written?
'Many Men' by 50 Cent.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Dome' by Young Thug (ft. Duke) or anything Future from 2015-2017.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Old Pine' by Ben Howard.
A song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Welcome to the Party' by Pop Smoke.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Candy' by Cameo.
Any new music you’re into at the moment?
'We’re All Alone In This Together' by Dave is something that’s still replaying.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Andre, born in Lagos, Nigeria yet spent most of my younger years in a town named Lecco, on Lake Como in Italy. At sixteen, made the decision to move to London before I ended up in Australia.
What do you do?
Currently a part-owner and tattoo artist at The Melbourne Compendium.
Describe your style in three words?
Fast, comfortable, black.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to in Australia?
Migos, Culture Album Tour, 2017. The biggest song from the album was 'Bad & Boujee' with Lil Uzi but I was a big fan of 'T-Shirt'.
Which Australian subcultures have influenced you?
Unfortunately none. Most of my influence comes from my time spent in the UK and Italy; for the UK it would be the grime/street culture/hooligans and when it comes to Italy, it would be the football.
Best Australian musician?
Babyface Mal. I like his flow and I feel he’ll be going places.
Where is your favourite independent venue in Australia?
Compendium Gallery, if you’re ever in Melbourne make sure to check it out.
What is Australia’s best-kept secret?
9-11 was an inside job. To be honest, no idea.
Best place to hang out in Australia?
In my time in Australia, I’ve been to a couple of places in New South Wales and Queensland before ending up in Melbourne and would have to say that Melbourne is by far the most easy and chill place to hang and live.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Cleanin’ Out My Closet' by Eminem. I remember this album being one of the first I’d purchased with my own money.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'P.I.M.P.' by 50 Cent.
One record you would keep forever?
'Get Rich or Die Tryin' by 50 Cent is the hardest album - even so many years later it’s still relevant and relatable.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"'Please don't die over the neighbourhood / That your mama rentin' / Take your drug money and buy the neighbourhood / That's how you rinse it' / I bought every V12 engine / Wish I could take it back to the beginnin' / I coulda bought a place in Dumbo before it was Dumbo / For like 2 million / That same building today is worth 25 million / Guess how I'm feelin'? Dumbo"
From 'The Story of O.J.' by Jay-Z.
A song you wished you had written?
'Many Men' by 50 Cent.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Dome' by Young Thug (ft. Duke) or anything Future from 2015-2017.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Old Pine' by Ben Howard.
A song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Welcome to the Party' by Pop Smoke.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Candy' by Cameo.
Any new music you’re into at the moment?
'We’re All Alone In This Together' by Dave is something that’s still replaying.