Lil Mariko is Starring in a Manic Virtual Reality Opera at Sónar 2024

Lil Mariko’s music has been described as “a can of Four Loko screaming at you.” The LA based rapper blends a combination of happy hardcore, metal, hyper-pop and screamo rap into what can only be described as a sound which is an assault on the ears – in the best way. She’s collabed with Rico Nastly, and recently starred in Doja Cat’s music video. Lil Mariko’s music stomps the line between bubblegum-pink sounding hyperpop , before flipping to manic screaming which challenges misogyny, rape culture… and anyone who takes her juul.

Team Rolfe’s is bringing Lil Mariko to life in the VR world. The show uses the rappers original tracks, such as ‘SIMP’ and ‘Hi, I’m a Slut’ to tell a chaotic story on stage. In a comment to District, Team Rolfes say the project “wouldn’t be possible without the volcanic energy Lil Mariko has brought to the starring role.”

“Experimental technology breaks and freaks out and rebels constantly, but it’s met its match when it comes to Mariko-as-Eris”

Team Rolfes

The entire performance was based around Mariko’s unique online persona. “The 3D characters, virtual environments, and collisions of manic, sarcastic dialogue we crafted were all shaped in response to the passion and intensity she brought into our first rehearsals together. This new medium of virtually-mediated performance is inherently chaotic, experimental technology breaks and freaks out and rebels constantly, but it’s met its match when it comes to Mariko-as-Eris.”

“A physical jarring one, maybe like a haunted maze…. But a really corny halloween one, not actually scary.”

Lil Mariko describing her music as a physical experience

Eris (played by Mariko) is the opera’s lead. But how does Lil-Mariko feel about this huge project? We sorted out the time differences between LA and Dublin and jumped on a zoom call to chat about it. Ever-humble Lil Mariko toked on a huge green vape as her cats fought in the background of the call.

 If you could describe your music like a physical experience, what would it be?

A physical jarring one, maybe like a haunted maze…. But a really corny halloween one, not actually scary.

How would you describe the character you’re playing with Team Rolfs?

It basically is my music persona. This very bratty, jaded, kind of sassy character.

The plot is centered around memories, right?

Yes. My character is basically a memory hunter. The client, who’s played by Sam, is trying to unlock a memory of his that he can’t remember. So he commissions my character to help him unlock it and find his memory. The way memories are unlocked is by completing tasks in order to piece together what the memory was.

“Yeah, I’m still anxious, that hasn’t gone away.”

Lil Mariko

I know you’ve spoken about struggling with anxiety around live performances, how do you feel about your performance at Sonar?

Yeah, I’m still anxious, that hasn’t gone away. But because I’m sharing the stage with Sam in their team, I do feel like it kind of alleviates some of the pressure and I feel like most of the audience are fixated on the screen behind me a little less so than what I’m actually doing on stage. So it helps alleviate some of the anxiety a little bit. It’s definitely new territory for me.

To catch Team Rolfes x Lil Mariko at Sonar 2024, get your tickets here.