Photo Credit: Imtiaz Choudhury
“Damn, it feels good to be an immigrant.” A powerful line indeed, the man behind it is none other than Bangladeshi-American hip-hop act Anik Khan whose popularity has been on a rapid rise courtesy his latest hit, ‘Big Fax‘ which was released as part of Saavn’s Artist Originals series. And now, as he gears up for his debut India tour which kicks off in New Delhi on October 11th, followed by shows in Bengaluru and Mumbai on 12th and 13th respectively, we caught up with the Queens rapper to talk about ‘Big Fax‘, his role as being a voice for the immigrant community in USA, plans for 2019 and much more.
Read on.
TBB: Hey Anik! It’s great to have you finally here in India. How’s it going for you?
Anik: Hanging out, chilling. Don’t know how it’s going yet cuz I haven’t actually done anything but I will very soon! But I had to come work right after the airport. So, it’s been going good regardless because I have drinks and chili shrimp in front of me. All in all, I think it’s going okay.
TBB: First of all, congratulations on the massive success of your latest single, ‘Big Fax’! Can you tell us a bit about how the whole track came to life?
Anik: I had that hook in my head for a really long time! I was driving and most of my choruses come when I’m driving at late night on the highway. And I was just going “starts humming the chorus”, and I was like there it is! And I just kind of perfected the chorus and kept that chorus in my head for six months cuz I was like whenever I make this song, it’s gonna be good. And that’s kind of how I make music where I have the idea first in my head and I know. I heard what ‘Big Fax’ was gonna sound like from front to back right when I made that chorus acapella. And then I just had to develop it. But the developing part takes a bit of time in making sure it sounds what it did like in my head.
TBB: You’ve constantly tested the boundaries of creative expression with your music, lyrics and even its eclectic, and incredibly vibrant visuals which represents the rich culture and homeland you belong to. Has it always played a central role in your music?
Anik: Yes! Culture has a huge role in my music. Representation is extremely important in my music. The value of showing where I’m from, who I am, and the authenticity of what that is the core of my foundation.
TBB: Hip-hop has always been an inclusive genre that continues to be a significant part of culture. And you as a Dhaka-born artist have quickly become a voice for the South Asian diaspora and the entire immigrant community in the music industry. What is it that you wish to deliver to the audience with your craft?
Anik: A perspective. All I can deliver is a voice that comes from a very specific place. But within that specific place, if there are things that relate to people that they can grab on to and grasp, then I did my job. My job is to give them perspective and give another kid, when he grows up and looks up the TV to be able to be like, “Oh! That’s someone who looks like me that’s dope.” Even though I don’t wanna like his music or if I don’t wanna be a rapper or whatever the case maybe, I did my job to be in front of that person so he has a choice to feel what he wants to feel.
Photo Credit: Imtiaz Choudhury
TBB: It is only fair for us to say that you’re quickly becoming one of today’s most exciting young cultural icons. What is the most fulfilling part of your career? And also, what continues to be the biggest challenge being a part of it?
Anik: The most fulfilling part of my career is probably all the black and brown kids that come up to me and tell me how it’s because of me that they have a voice. And how they’re going out their way to dream and reach their goals and I couldn’t ever imagine being a person for somebody. I don’t really expect myself to be a person like that and I never have. And to be able to be that for somebody is extremely humbling and I appreciate it a lot!
The biggest challenge would probably have to be the balance within it all, because it’s not just the music that I’m doing. It’s the food, the clothing, the lifestyle and I guess the challenge is being able to balance all that and being able to do all of these things that I want to do at the same time and show that to the world. Because, you know I love music and music will always be a part of my life. But that’s not where I stop. There’s many other things that are going on and fortunately, those things are already taking off! Figuring out how to balance it all is difficult. But we’re doing the best we can and striving to do better at that.
TBB: You will be finally making your India debut later this week with a three-city tour on the cards! Is there anything that you’re looking forward to the most during your stay in the country?
Anik: Food!
TBB: As we can tell, your music has often been heavily influenced by different cultures around the world, including India’s! What is it about the country that inspires you the most?
Anik: The melodies. I don’t think there’s anywhere in the world that has melodies like India or South Asia. The melodies here are seductive. The key range and the scales that are used in India are just second to none. And it shows when you can use those melodies and put them in other music and that still sounds like insanely fire. And that just goes to show how much our culture outside that Asian culture has a stock of scales and foundation and what can go with what and how that can be you know, airy to heavy and how that can be presented. There’s so many layers within that music and there’s so much to appreciate. That’s why I think I’m so attracted to it.
TBB: Hip-hop music in India is finally taking off! Are there any acts in particular that you’ve managed to check out till now or someone that has caught your attention?
Anik: My friend, Raja Kumari is also one great artist who put me on to Divine. And I really respect the fact that he’s speaking for a lot of unspoken people. I relate to that. I think unheard voices are important and the majority of people at large. And so, the fact there’s so many artists up here right now in the underground scene speaking on behalf of these people. I think that’s beautiful and extremely important.
TBB: With so much accomplished over the past few years in regards to your music, what do you hope to accomplish in 2019?
Anik: I wanna accomplish more music, more tours. I’d like to accomplish making more people smile, and that’s probably the most important one. As long as I’m feeding my family, taking care of my loved ones, all I can ask for is giving people a perspective that they appreciate and hold on to. And if I could do that in a wider range, regardless if it’s through music or food or through clothing or lifestyle, that is important to me.
TBB: Would you like to give out any message for your Indian fans?
Anik: What’s going on guys! Bring all the samosas and the dosas and the biriyanis to the goddamn show, cuz I’ll be hungry and I’ll see ya’ll there. But just don’t throw it at me if you don’t like me. Thanks in advance!