Fly Anakin

Last updated

Fly Anakin
Fly Anakin.jpg
Fly Anakin in 2021, taken from the Frank promotional photoshoot by Timothy Saccenti
Background information
Birth nameFrank L. Walton, Jr. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Born (1994-07-09) July 9, 1994 (age 30)
Origin Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Genres Hip hop
Years active2014–present
Labels
Website flyanakin.com

Frank L. Walton, Jr [5] (born July 9, 1994), better known by his stage name Fly Anakin is an American rapper and record producer from Richmond, Virginia. He is the co-founder of Richmond hip hop crew Mutant Academy.

Contents

Early life

Fly Anakin was raised in Richmond, Virginia. As a child he was a regular church goer. [6] His older brother introduced him to rap albums including Ghostface Killah's Ironman , Jay Z's Reasonable Doubt and Hot Boys' Guerrilla Warfare . His later influences included Jeezy, Kendrick Lamar and Curren$y. [2] [7] [3]

Career

Fly Anakin released his first mixtape in 2014, Mirrors_episode1, with future Mutant Academy member Ewonee. [3] This was the first of over a dozen self-released mixtapes and EPs. Fly Anakin played in shows and in homes in Richmond. [4]

He signed to Lex Records in 2019, releasing a collaborative album with Pink Siifu, FlySiifu's in November 2020, followed by an EP, $mokebreak in April 2021. [8] In 2022, Fly Anakin released his debut solo studio LP Frank which included production from Madlib, Evidence and Mutant Academy members. [9] [10] According to Metacritic, the album received "universal acclaim" from critics, with a score of 84. [11] Following its release, Frank also featured in several lists of the best albums of "2022 (so far)" including Complex , HipHopDX , Paste , The Quietus and Uproxx . [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

In March 2022, Fly Anakin performed several shows at SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, including sets at the Lex showcase and the Song Exploder showcase. [17] [18] The following month he supported Armand Hammer on a short run of European shows at venues including XOYO, London and Le Botanique, Brussels and Le Bellevilloise, Paris. [19] [20] [21]

A concert scheduled on the 5 May 2022 in Lyon, France was cancelled by the local concert promoter [22] when Fly Anakin vetoed an opening act following an argument between the promoter and Fly Anakin's booking agent. The booking agent wrote an e-mail to the promoter stating: "All artists choose who they perform with because this is their art form, not yours. Nor is it your culture either, from what I understand. Fly Anakin wants to celebrate his culture, hop-hop, with Black artists..." The incident was reported in French media including the local Lyon newspaper Le Progrès , and national media including Marianne and BFM TV website. [23] [22] [24] Marianne noted that Fly Anakin "...denied any discriminatory will on his part, rather evoking a musical problem: the envisaged artist was not up to the task, he told the Progress on Thursday." [23]

In November 2022 Fly Anakin and Madlib released a reworking of "No Dough" from Frank. [25] At the end of the 2022 Metacritic ranked Frank as the “best reviewed debut” rap album of the year, and the ninth best reviewed debut album across all genres. [26] On 5 April 2023, Skinemaxxx (Side A) EP was released. [27]

Discography

Studio albums

Collaborative albums

Extended plays

Related Research Articles

<i>Madvillainy</i> 2004 studio album by Madvillain

Madvillainy is the only studio album by American hip hop duo Madvillain, consisting of British-American rapper MF Doom and American record producer Madlib. It was released on March 23, 2004, on Stones Throw Records.

<i>Random Axe</i> 2011 studio album by Random Axe (Black Milk, Guilty Simpson and Sean Price)

Random Axe is the only studio album from the American hip hop group Random Axe, released June 14, 2011, on Duck Down Music Inc. The group was composed of hip hop producer Black Milk and rappers Guilty Simpson and the late Sean Price. The album was produced entirely by Black Milk and features guest contributions from Roc Marciano, Danny Brown, Fat Ray, Melanie Rutherford, Rock, Trick Trick, and Fatt Father.

<i>In Search of Stoney Jackson</i> 2010 studio album by Strong Arm Steady

In Search of Stoney Jackson is the second studio album by California based hip hop group Strong Arm Steady, released on January 26, 2010 under Stones Throw Records. The album's title is a reference to actor Stoney Jackson. The album, entirely produced by Madlib, features guest appearances from Talib Kweli, Phonte, Fashawn, Evidence, Oh No, Roscoe, Guilty Simpson and a host of underground Los Angeles rappers, as well as former Strong Arm Steady members Planet Asia and Chace Infinite. The rap vocals are mainly performed by Phil Da Agony and Krondon, as Mitchy Slick appears on only two tracks. The album is considered a collaborative album, between Madlib and the L.A. hip hop collective, who chose the beats from 200 potential compositions.

<i>R.A.P. Music</i> 2012 studio album by Killer Mike

R.A.P. Music is the fifth studio album by American rapper Killer Mike. It was released through Williams Street Records on May 15, 2012. The "R.A.P." in the album's title is a backronym for "Rebellious African People". Production was handled by rapper and producer Jaime "El-P" Meline; the album was the first collaboration between Killer Mike and El-P, who would later form the critically acclaimed duo Run the Jewels. The album’s title is a reference to Ye’s record label G.O.O.D Music.

<i>The Diary</i> (J Dilla album) 2016 studio album by J Dilla

The Diary is the sixth and final studio album by American hip hop recording artist J Dilla. It was originally intended for release in 2002 via MCA Records under the title Pay Jay. This long-lost album is the final batch of unissued material that J Dilla had assembled for release during his lifetime. It also represents his first rap album released since Ruff Draft (2003) and Champion Sound (2003). Unlike previous full-length releases – from Jay Stay Paid (2009) to Dillatronic (2015) – all edited with unreleased instrumentals, The Diary is a collection of Dilla's vocal performances over his production and that of other producers, such as Madlib, Pete Rock, Nottz, Hi-Tek and Karriem Riggins among others. It also features vocal performances by Snoop Dogg, Bilal, Kokane, Frank n Dank, Nottz, Kenny Wray and Boogie. Recording sessions for the album took place from September 16, 2001, to April 2, 2002, at The Spaceship in Clinton Township and Studio A in Detroit, and it was mastered by Dave Cooley at Elysian Masters in Los Angeles.

Armand Hammer is an American hip hop superduo from New York City that was formed around 2013. The duo consists of Billy Woods and Elucid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freddie Gibbs & Madlib</span> American hip hop duo

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, sometimes known as MadGibbs, is an American hip hop duo formed in San Francisco, California, in 2011. The duo is composed of Gary, Indiana-based Freddie Gibbs rapping and Oxnard, California native Madlib producing. The duo has released two studio albums, Piñata in 2014 and Bandana in 2019. They have also released five extended plays (EPs) together.

<i>Bandana</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Freddie Gibbs and Madlib

Bandana is the second collaborative studio album by American rapper Freddie Gibbs and record producer Madlib. It was released on June 28, 2019, by ESGN, Keep Cool Records, Madlib Invazion, and RCA Records. Entirely produced by Madlib, it is the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2014 album Piñata, and their sixth overall project as a duo. The album features guest appearances from Pusha T, Killer Mike, Anderson .Paak, Yasiin Bey, and Black Thought.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eyedress</span> Filipino musician

Idris Ennolandy Vicuña, known professionally as Eyedress, is a Filipino musician.

Sage Gabriel Carlos Atreyu Elsesser, also known as Navy Blue, is an American skateboarder, rapper, record producer, visual artist, and model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Hakim</span> American musician

Nicolas Hakim is an American musician based in Queens, New York, United States. His first EP, Where Will We Go Part 1 & 2, was self-released in 2014. He released three albums with ATO: Green Twins (2017), Will This Make Me Good (2020), and Cometa (2022).

<i>Gumbo!</i> 2021 studio album by Pink Siifu

Gumbo'! is a studio album by American artist Pink Siifu. It was released on August 3, 2021. The album's first single, "Lng Hair Dnt Care", was produced by Ted Kamal. On March 11, 2022, a deluxe edition, titled Gumbo'! (DELUXE'!!) was released.

<i>Lex-XX</i> 2021 compilation album by Various Artists

Lex-XX is a compilation of remixes issued by Lex Records in 2021 and 2022 to mark the label's twentieth anniversary. Lex-XX is the third compilation on the label, following Lexoleum (2001-2003) and Complex (2011-2012) each released approximately a decade apart.

<i>Deathfame</i> 2022 studio album by Quelle Chris

Deathfame is a solo studio album by American rapper and producer Quelle Chris. It was released via Mello Music Group on May 13, 2022. Production was handled by Chris Keys, Knxwledge, and Quelle Chris himself. It features guest appearances from Cavalier, Denmark Vessey, J Jig Cicero, MoRuf, Navy Blue, and Pink Siifu.

<i>Frank</i> (Fly Anakin album) 2022 studio album by Fly Anakin

Frank is the debut studio album by American rapper Fly Anakin, released on March 11, 2022 through Lex Records. The album features guest appearances from Pink Siifu, Billz Egypt and Nickelus F, as well as fellow Mutant Academy members Henny L.O. and Big Kahuna OG.

The following list is a discography of production by Madlib, an American hip hop record producer and recording artist from Oxnard, California. It includes a list of songs produced, co-produced and remixed by year, artist, album and title.

Livingston Lemorie Matthews, known professionally as Pink Siifu, and occasionally iiye, is an American rapper and singer from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Birmingham, Alabama.

<i>Liberation 2</i> 2023 studio album by Talib Kweli and Madlib

Liberation 2 is a 2023 studio album from American hip hop musicians Talib Kweli and Madlib, a sequel to their 2007 release Liberation.

<i>We Buy Diabetic Test Strips</i> 2023 studio album by Armand Hammer

We Buy Diabetic Test Strips is the sixth studio album by American hip hop duo Armand Hammer. It was released on September 29, 2023, through Fat Possum. The album features guest appearances by JPEGMafia, Moor Mother, El-P, Pierce Jordan of Soul Glo, Pink Siifu, Junglepussy, Curly Castro and Cavalier. It is the first Armand Hammer album to not be released under the Backwoodz Studioz label. It was met with critical acclaim.

Robert Mansel, known professionally as Black Noi$e or Black Noise, is an American record producer, songwriter, and DJ from Detroit, Michigan. He is best known for his work as a tour DJ for M.I.A. and Earl Sweatshirt as well as producing and writing tracks for other artists such as Armand Hammer, Danny Brown, Fly Anakin, Lucki, MIKE, Pink Siifu, Wiki, and Zelooperz. Black Noi$e was the first signee of Earl Sweatshirt's imprint label of Warner Records, Tan Cressida, in 2020.

References

  1. 1 2 "Frank | Fly Anakin". Pitchfork . March 18, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "First Look Friday: Fly Anakin on How Ghostface & Curren$y Made Him the MC He Is". Okayplayer . April 3, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 "Fly Anakin Sets Out On His Own (With A Little Help From His Friends)". Stereogum . March 10, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Fly Anakin is leaving the underground and ready to be a star". The Line of Best Fit . May 3, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  5. "Frank | Chroniques | PointBreak". March 23, 2022.
  6. "Underground Rap Hero Fly Anakin Demands Respect". Pitchfork . March 2, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  7. "Fly Anakin: sitting in the melting pot". Loud and Quiet . May 3, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  8. ""How Could You Watch a Movie and Not Like the Dialogue?:" An Interview with Fly Anakin & Pink Siifu". Passionweiss. January 12, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  9. "Fly Anakin Announces Debut Album with Madlib-Produced Single "No Dough"". Okayplayer . January 2, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  10. "Fly Anakin Carves His Own Lane On Frank". Okayplayer . March 14, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  11. "Reviews for Frank by Fly Anakin". Metacritic. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  12. "The 50 Best Albums of 2022 (So Far)". Paste . July 5, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  13. "The Best Albums of 2022 (So Far)". Complex . June 1, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  14. "The Quietus Albums Of The Year So Far Chart 2022". The Quietus . July 4, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  15. "The Best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2022 So Far". Uproxx . June 9, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  16. "THE BEST RAP ALBUMS OF 2022 ...(SO FAR)". HipHopDX . July 2, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  17. "Faster Than Sound: Wait, How Does SXSW Music Work Again?". The Austin Chronicle . March 11, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  18. "The 20 Artists We're Most Excited to See at SXSW 2022". Paste . March 9, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  19. "Armand Hammer". Rock Feedback. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  20. "Armand Hammer - Fly Anakin". Le Botanique . Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  21. "Armand Hammer (US) + Fly Anakin (UK)". Le Botanique . Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  22. 1 2 "Lyon: Le Concert D'un Rappeur Américain Annulé À Cause De La Couleur De Peau De Sa Première Partie?". April 29, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  23. 1 2 "Lyon : Un concert de rap annulé parce que l'artiste en première partie n'est pas noir ?". April 29, 2022.
  24. "La couleur de peau d'un artiste a-t-elle causé l'annulation d'un concert de rap américain?". April 28, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  25. "Madlib Remixes Fly Anakin's "No Dough": Listen". Pitchfork . November 17, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  26. "The Freshman 15: 2022's Best Debut Albums". Metacritic . December 8, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  27. "The Freshman 15: 2022's Best Debut Albums". The Fader . April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  28. "FlySiifu's | Fly Anakin & Pink Siifu". Pitchfork . November 18, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  29. "FlySiifu's | Fly Anakin & Pink Siifu". Pitchfork . April 1, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2022.