Lil Mariko
{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{short description|American rapper (born 1996)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Lil Mariko
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Katherine Mariko Zhang
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|3|1}}
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| origin = New York City, U.S.
| genre = {{flatlist|
| occupation = Rapper, songwriter
| years_active = {{start date|2019}}–present
| label = Four Loko
| website = {{url|katmzhang.com}}
}}
Katherine Mariko Zhang (born March 1, 1996), known professionally as Lil Mariko, is an American rapper. Her first single "Where's My Juul??" released in 2019 was her collaboration with her producer boyfriend Jared Soule (known professionally as Full Tac). It became a viral internet hit with over 23 million views across YouTube and Spotify.{{Cite web| url=https://i-d.co/article/tayo-sound-is-alt-pop-new-heartbroken-teen-music-hero/| title=Lil Mariko & Full Tac, the couple behind cursed anthem Where's My Juul?| first=Frankie| last=Dunn| date=January 23, 2020| publisher=Vice| work=i-D| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105143702/https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/bvxzgz/tayo-sound-is-alt-pop-new-heartbroken-teen-music-hero| access-date=April 15, 2021| url-status=live| archive-date= November 5, 2020}} Her debut self-titled EP, Lil Mariko was released in 2021.
Early life
Katherine Mariko Zhang was born in 1996 to a Chinese father and a Japanese mother. Her family lived in Taipei before relocating to Houston, Texas, where she would spend most of her childhood. Zhang played violin in middle school and graduated high school in 2014. As a child, Zhang and her family moved frequently because of her father's work but continued to return to Houston.{{Cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5KcxETYPPk| title=Lil Mariko on The Steebee Weebee Show| author=Steebee Weebee| date=October 1, 2020| access-date=April 15, 2021| via=YouTube}}
Career
= 2019–2021: Initial success and ''Lil Mariko'' =
The collaborative single "Where's My Juul??" was freestyled by Lil Mariko as a joke in August 2019 using a beat made by Full Tac. The track benefited from Zhang's heavy metal past and love of 1990s rave music. Guitarist Russ Chell provides the metal riff on the track. Despite being made as a joke, Zhang took serious influence from Mindless Self Indulgence and The Prodigy. The music video for the track was released on December 18. Lil Mariko's vocals were also likened to Poppy.{{Cite web| url=https://www.papermag.com/wheres-my-juul-full-tac-2642227365.html| title='Where's My Juul??' Is a Screamo E-Cig Bop| first=Sandra| last=Song| date=December 27, 2019| work=Paper| access-date=April 15, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204225833/https://www.papermag.com/wheres-my-juul-full-tac-2642227365.html |archive-date=February 4, 2020}} The single was thematically compared to the 2006 viral hit Shoes by Liam Kyle Sullivan. It would later reach a wider audience through the video sharing social media service TikTok, becoming a trend where users would lip sync to the song before transforming into creepy characters after the breakdown. The trend was comparatively similar to the clown check trend where users would do the same but to Insane Clown Posse songs instead.{{Cite web| url=https://stayhipp.com/news/wheres-my-juul-trend-on-tiktok/| title="Where's My Juul?" Trend On TikTok| first=Sade| last=Spence| publisher=Stayhipp| date=April 2, 2020| access-date=April 15, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122024647/https://stayhipp.com/news/wheres-my-juul-trend-on-tiktok/| archive-date=January 22, 2021}} The music video for "Where's My Juul??" was also temporarily removed from YouTube after receiving a copyright claim from Stevie Emerson, also known as Slappers Only on YouTube, disputing the use of the phrase "where's my Juul?" but was later reinstated.
The couple's next single was "Don't Touch" which received similar viral acclaim, released on April 20, 2020. Later followed by a remix of Dorian Electra's track "Sorry Bro (I Love You)" on June 22 with a music video later uploaded on June 26.{{Cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fpp4YNJI-c| title=Dorian Electra – Sorry Bro (I Love You) [Lil Mariko & Full Tac Remix]| author=Full Tac| date=June 26, 2020| via=YouTube}} Their third release of 2020, "Shiny" was released on September 3 with its music video uploaded on March 20, 2021.{{Cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vTiqmAc9sE| title=Lil Mariko – Shiny feat. Full Tac| author=Full Tac| date= March 20, 2021| access-date=April 15, 2021| via=YouTube}}{{Cite web| url=https://www.sparky.wtf/news/lil-mariko-is-screaming-her-way-into-the-cultural-consciousness| title=Lil Mariko Is Screaming Her Way Into The Cultural Consciousness| first=Noah| last=Simon| date=September 12, 2020| publisher=Sparky| access-date=April 15, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415041010/https://www.sparky.wtf/news/lil-mariko-is-screaming-her-way-into-the-cultural-consciousness| archive-date=April 15, 2021}} Lil Mariko featured on Dorian Electra's album My Agenda on the track "Ram It Down" also featuring vocals from Mood Killer and Lil Texas. "Ram It Down" was described as hyperpop with a distinct metal flair.{{Cite web| url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/why-hyperpop-owes-its-existence-to-heavy-metal/| title=Why hyperpop owes its existence to heavy metal| first=Aliya |last=Chaudhury| publisher=Wasted Talent| work=Kerrang!| date=April 14, 2021| access-date=April 15, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414161653/https://www.kerrang.com/features/why-hyperpop-owes-its-existence-to-heavy-metal/| archive-date=April 14, 2021}} Lil Mariko and Full Tac performed together during Dorian Electra's My Agenda Online Twitch stream on October 24, a fundraising event for Black Trans Femmes in the Arts.{{Cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTioPQXrI4M| title=Lil Mariko and Full Tac – Live at My Agenda ONLINE| author=DORIAN ELECTRA| date=October 31, 2020| via=YouTube}}{{Cite web| url=https://avyss-magazine.com/2020/11/04/20859/| title=Archive of online event "My Agenda ONLINE" celebrating Dorian Electra's new work released| publisher=Avyss Magazine| date=November 4, 2020| access-date=April 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206005345/https://avyss-magazine.com/2020/11/04/20859/| archive-date=December 6, 2020}}
Lil Mariko's self-titled debut EP was released on March 18, 2021, and featured her previous singles "Don't Touch" and "Shiny". The track "Disgusting" featured guest vocals from Zheani.{{Cite web |last=Turmero |first=Carlos |date=March 23, 2021 |title=Lil Mariko, la reina del screamo de ascendencia japonesa que la rompe una canción a la vez |trans-title=Lil Mariko, the screamo queen of Japanese descent who breaks her one song at a time |url=https://ismorbo.com/mor-bo-riot-lil-mariko-la-reina-del-screamo-de-ascendencia-japonesa-que-la-rompe-una-cancion-a-la-vez/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323215505/https://ismorbo.com/mor-bo-riot-lil-mariko-la-reina-del-screamo-de-ascendencia-japonesa-que-la-rompe-una-cancion-a-la-vez/ |archive-date=March 23, 2021 |access-date=April 15, 2021 |publisher=Mor.bo |language=es}} The EP received a positive 4 out of 5 review by the student newspaper The Globe.{{Cite web| url=https://ppuglobe.com/2021/03/tracking-new-music-releases-with-zac-wittman-lana-del-rey-justin-bieber-lil-mariko-mare-cognitum-ringo-starr/| title=Tracking New Music Releases with Zac Wittman: Lana Del Rey, Justin Bieber, Lil Mariko, Mare Cognitum, Ringo Starr| first=Zachary| last=Wittman| date=March 24, 2021| publisher=The Globe| access-date=April 15, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324125525/https://ppuglobe.com/2021/03/tracking-new-music-releases-with-zac-wittman-lana-del-rey-justin-bieber-lil-mariko-mare-cognitum-ringo-starr/| archive-date=March 24, 2021}} On April 3, Lil Mariko performed for Chester Lockhart's Chester's Bday Party live-streamed event. The event also encouraged donations to The Okra Project and Red Canary Song.{{Cite tweet| user=chesterlockhart| number=1377668006809985025| title=UR INVITED TO MY BDAY PARTY 🎂 April 3, 12-2 pst twitch.tv/chesterlockhart live girlbossing by @0311asaki • @DORIANELECTRA @HANAtruly • @chaseicon @Miss_Benny • @umru_ @cartierchain • @moodkillermusic @katmarikoz • @ravennagolden @PetalSupply • @westonallen64 + many more 🧐|last=Lockhart|first=Chester| date=April 2, 2021| archive-url=https://archive.today/20210415064726/https://twitter.com/chesterlockhart/status/1377668006809985025| archive-date=April 15, 2021| language=en| author-link=Chester Lockhart}}
= 2021–present: Upcoming studio album =
File:CTM 2023 Berlin 08 25 07 031000.jpeg. February 2023, Berlin.]]
On May 1, Lil Mariko collaborated with Full Tac and Rico Nasty on a new single "Simp". The single was produced by Full Tac like usual, but with additional production from Russ Chell. Mariko's friend Sebastian Bidegain was featured in the music video dressed in a full gimp suit.{{Cite web| url=https://www.papermag.com/lil-mariko-rico-nasty-simp-2652836336.html| title=Lil Mariko, Full Tac and Rico Nasty Link Up on "SIMP"| work=Paper| first=Matt| last=Moen| date=April 30, 2021| access-date=July 30, 2021| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512225528/https://www.papermag.com/lil-mariko-rico-nasty-simp-2652836336.html|archivedate=May 12, 2021}} On July 16, Lil Mariko released a new single "Boring" featuring Full Tac. The single was released under the new record label created by Four Loko. A music video accompanied the single's release.{{Cite web| url=https://www.papermag.com/lil-mariko-boring-2653918616.html| title=Lil Mariko, Full Tac Release "Boring" With Four Loko Records| work=Paper| first=Justin| last=Moran| date=July 23, 2021| access-date=July 30, 2021| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725055259/https://www.papermag.com/lil-mariko-boring-2653918616.html|archivedate=July 25, 2021}} On the same day, Lil Mariko also appeared on Recovery Girl's mixtape Recovery Girl & Friends on the track "Feels So Good" featuring the additional vocal talent of Diana Starshine, GFOTY, and Space Candy.{{Cite web| url=https://o0o0o0o0.bandcamp.com/album/recovery-girl-friends-mixtape| title=Recovery Girl & Friends by Recovery Girl| website=Bandcamp| date=July 16, 2021| access-date=August 1, 2021}} In August, Lil Mariko announced her plan to relocate to Los Angeles to record her debut studio album. Mariko also revealed that more collaborative singles were to be released in the near future also.{{Cite web| url=http://officemagazine.net/lil-mariko-meme-queen| title=Lil Mariko is a Meme Queen| first=Ronald| last=Kahihikolo| work=Office| date=August 6, 2021| access-date=October 25, 2021}}
In February 2022, Lil Mariko made her live concert debut, supporting Dorian Electra on their US tour.{{Cite web| url=https://dailyutahchronicle.com/2022/02/24/dorian-electra-salt-lake-city-soundwell-concert/| title=Dorian Electra Forms the Best Bits of Internet Culture Into a Stunning Concert| first=Lucas| last=Welk| publisher=Daily Utah Chronicle| date=February 24, 2022| accessdate=May 12, 2025}}
A year later, she would make her international debut performing at the 2023 CTM Festival in Berlin, Germany.{{Cite web| url=https://www.ctm-festival.de/festival-2023/programme/schedule| title=Schedule| publisher=CTM Festival| access-date=May 12, 2025}} Following this, she appeared live performing at Belgrave Music Hall in Leeds as part of a European and UK tour.{{Cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPhO-EMMztA| title=Lil Mariko Live at Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England - 6 February, 2023| author=Moss Travel Media| date=February 19, 2023| access-date=May 12, 2025| via=YouTube}} On 25 September, Lil Mariko appeared in Doja Cat's music video "Agora Hills".{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Caroline |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Doja Cat Recruits Her Girl Gang For Dreamy "Agora Hills" Music Video |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/716183-doja-cat-agora-hills-video |access-date=May 12, 2025 |website=HotNewHipHop |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226111736/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/716183-doja-cat-agora-hills-video |url-status=live }}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c66ksfigtU |title=Doja Cat - Agora Hills (Official Video) |date=September 22, 2023 |last=Lux Davis |first=Hannah |type=Videotape |author-link=Hannah Lux Davis |access-date=May 12, 2025 |quote=It Girl Posse: Mette @mettenarrative // Vampire Chinese (Nio) @vampirechinese // Katrina Motes @katrinamotes // Kat Marikoz @katmarikoz //Kunt Fetish @kuntfetish // Guvmanian (Lee) @guvmanian // Princess Gollum (Josephine) @princessgollum // Aliyah’s Interlude @aliyahsinterlude |archive-date=December 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226160258/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c66ksfigtU |url-status=live }}
On January 29, 2025, Lil Mariko performed for the LA Gives Back Fire Relief concert to help raise funds to help those affected by the then-recent wildfires.{{Cite web| url=https://news.pollstar.com/2025/01/29/la-gives-back-fire-relief-set-for-jan-29-at-the-bellwether/| title=LA Gives Back: Fire Relief Unveils Lineup| first=Sarah| last=Pittman| publisher=PollStar| date=January 29, 2025| access-date=May 12, 2025}}
Personal life
Zhang attended Pratt Institute School of Art in 2015 and later graduated in 2018. Zhang lives in Flatbush, Brooklyn and has been dating producer boyfriend Jared Soule, also known as Full Tac, since 2018. Zhang recalls their meeting as Soule direct-messaging her on Instagram after she followed him and asked her to model for him. After initially getting along well, they ended up dating shortly afterward. Zhang is also an avid vaper, and states her favorite flavor is cucumber. Zhang's artistic talent includes; drawing, photography, sketches and sculpting.{{Cite web| url=http://www.katmzhang.com/| title=Kat Zhang| publisher=Katerine Zhang| access-date=April 15, 2021}}
Zhang revealed that she suffers from social anxiety and the idea of live performances frightens her but she is not completely opposed to it, theorizing she would get over the initial shock once she was actually on stage. Which eventually proved true after touring since 2022.
Discography
= Extended plays =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of extended plays ! scope="col" style="width:5em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:17em;"| Album details |
| scope="row" | Lil Mariko
|
|
|---|
= Singles =
== As lead artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
! scope="col" style="width:13em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:1em;"| Year ! scope="col" style="width:8em;"| Album |
| scope="row"| "Don't Touch" {{small|(featuring Full Tac)}}
| rowspan="2"| 2020 | rowspan="2"| Lil Mariko |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Shiny" {{small|(featuring Full Tac)}} |
| scope="row"| "Simp" {{small|(with Full Tac and Rico Nasty)}}
| rowspan="2"| 2021 | rowspan="2" {{N/A|non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Boring" {{small|(featuring Full Tac)}} |
== As featured artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
! scope="col" style="width:13em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:1em;"| Year ! scope="col" style="width:8em;"| Album |
| scope="row"| "Where's My Juul??" {{small|(Full Tac featuring Lil Mariko)}}
| 2019 | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |
|---|
== Other appearances ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| + List of non-single appearances |
| scope="col" style="width:14em;"| Title
! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Artist(s) ! scope="col"| Album |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Ram It Down"
| 2020 | Dorian Electra {{small|(featuring Mood Killer, Lil Mariko, Lil Texas)}} |
| scope="row"| "Feels So Good"
| 2021 | Recovery Girl {{small|(featuring Diana Starshine, GFOTY, Lil Mariko, Space Candy)}} | Recovery Girl & Friends |
= Remixes =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of official remixes, with year released and original artist(s) shown ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Artist(s) |
| scope="row"| "Sorry Bro (I Love You)" {{small|(with Full Tac)}}
| 2020 | Dorian Electra |
|---|
= Music videos =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| Song
! Year ! Director |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Where's My Juul??"
| 2019 | rowspan="6"| Jared Soule |
| scope="row"| "Sorry Bro (I Love You)" {{small|(Lil Mariko & Full Tac Remix)}}
| rowspan="2"| 2020 |
| scope="row"| "KK Metal" {{small|(K.K. Slider cover)}} |
| scope="row"| "Shiny"
| rowspan="3"| 2021 |
| scope="row"| "Simp" |
| scope="row"| "Boring" |
| scope="row"| "Hi, I'm a Slut" {{small|(featuring ppcocaine) [Full Tac Remix]}}
| 2023 | Alicia Afshar |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mariko, Lil}}
Category:Musicians from New York City
Category:21st-century American rappers
Category:American rappers of East Asian descent
Category:Pratt Institute alumni
Category:Rappers from New York City
Category:American people of Chinese descent
Category:American people of Japanese descent