The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast’s fifth anniversary season kick-off month continues!

I am delighted to welcome comedian, rapper, and singer Ksenia as a guest! Russian-born and now Los Angeles-based, Ksenia began integrating her grand tongue-in-cheek comedy into her music, often poking fun at the cultural follies of her homeland while leaning into observational humor around societal issues. She’s now taken that comedy component directly to the stage. She has been performing her stand-up routines across the United States, including the Comedy Store, Dangerfield’s Comedy Club, New York City’s Comedy Cellar, and the Hollywood Improv.

Initially navigating the realm of sad pop songs, Ksenia channeled her experiences as a Russian woman, expressing the depth of her emotions through her music. A whole album emerged from this period, encapsulating the essence of her journey and the universal theme of suffering. Despite her musical prowess, she encountered roadblocks in releasing her work, grappling with the challenge of navigating the music industry independently. In a pivotal moment during her sad singing shows, an unintentional foray into humor opened a new chapter. Embracing the unexpected laughter from her audience, Ksenia decided to take a stand-up comedy class. Her unique brand of humorous rap, influenced by her stand-up routine, stands as a testament to resilience and creative innovation, embodying the spirit of an artist unafraid to redefine her narrative.

Recently, Ksenia released the fiery “It’s My Birthday.” She co-wrote the song with producer Mario Marchetti (Demi Lovato and JoJo) and was inspired by 50 Cent’s signature song “In Da Club.” She also infused an empowering message against ageism into the track.

In this edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Ksenia spoke about her transition from singer to rapper, the stories behind some of her most streamed Spotify songs, and finding social media success.