Q&A With Rising Minneapolis Based Hip Hop Artist Anuahyahu
Please tell us how long have you been making music?
I’d say I’ve been making music professionally for 4 years, but before that I used to just freestyle for fun as part of keeping one of the 5 Elements of Hip Hop.
How did you come up with your rap name?
At the time Id been going through allot of turmoil in my life. And spirituality felt the impulse to change my name to Anuahyahu which is hebrew and based off my character. Pronounce (Uh-New-uh-Yahoo) meaning humble one of Yahuah(God).
What separates you from all the other rappers in your city and nationwide? In a few words, how would you describe your sound?
My sound is authentic, unique, and original, plus I’m skilled lyrically. We have talented rappers, but I feel allot of them don’t really focus on the craft as much, and others mimic sounds from other places or what’s popular.
How are you coping with this whole Covid 19 situation? Has it delayed any new music production by any chance?
Since the pandemic there have been plenty of setbacks, especially financially! During which period I wasn’t able to get unemployment and or the additional weekly $600 everyone who was layed off or furloughed got. So While I had expectations to put allot more money into the album I was unable.
That involved me doing everything my self rather then getting it professionally done as I originally planned.
When was the time when you decided to take your rap career seriously?
Years ago I drop a freestyle track over Onyx-“Last Dayz” track and a online music show caught wind of it and reached out. I guess it was after people started to notice my music online , I just gradually became more serious about it.
Please breakdown the creative process of your new album “Still I Rise”. And tell us a little about the album cover concept!
Gladly! This will give me a chance to explain some things. I’d like to start by saying it’s crucial to listen to the intro to the album. Although today many people skip a track titled intro, mines explained the direction of the album and goes directly into wat I considered a modern track, “Drip”. There are no two tracks that are the same and there something for everyone.
I chose the tracks that I liked, experimented with some and begin creating the songs from scratch. I took my time, didn’t sacrifice any bars, and delt with the writers block as it came . I tailored my flow to what I felt fit each track best. Some I showcased my skills while others I focused more on the song aspect but always maintained my “lyrical integrity” as I like to call it and remain original. I never try to sound like anyone. I have my own style and sound.
On the covered “Still I Rise”, I’m dressed as a archangel minus the wings because I’m of this world. My colors are also slightly different then wat you would see a archangle have. The bandana on my head says Qadash La Yahuah. Which means set-apart to Yahuah (True name of God) . Attention to detail it’s a bandana and not just a random headband. The bandana represents my street elements . Im flying up out of the darkness while demons are reaching and grabbing towards me tryna pull me back down into depression, turmoils, afflictions, strife,etc… The background near the top is the skyline of Minneapolis representing the city im from . Mid-left you have a photo of the riots from George Floyd, to Prince,and Kirby Puckett, all aspect of Minneapolis. To the lower left ,you have Friedman’s Shoe Store, a landmark in North Minneapolis . Below that is Police making a raid. Then mid right is the 4th St. Saloon “Welcome To North Minneapolis” mural painted by: Charles Caldwell. The lower right is my car that got totaled in an accident around the time of the album. When I say been through allot during the creation of this album I mean it . And lastly the title I feel is self explanatory, but it means even though I’ve gone through many adversities still I rose to the occasion through The Most a High who strengthens me. Hence why I’m also looking up toward The fathers name and the Sons name maintained in Paleo Hebrew.
Your honest opinion, out of all the songs on the project, which is the one song you feel stands out the most!?
Honestly I say “Pharmacayit” .
It’s really deep, and personal. While I’m not an advocate of drugs, I take my own experiences with depression, abuses, and street cultures and present it in such a way that others can relate to it while also explaining sometimes the motivation behind those decisions.
We have to ask, with all this social discourse and revolt, protesting and rioting, exposed police brutality toward blacks and BLM, how do you feel about this? We would love your perspective on the climate we are living in right now.
Well for starters I’m from Minneapolis, the city George Floyd was killed. This isn’t anything new as there have been others before him that were killed but by police gunfire. He was as I described it, “The straw that broke the camels back”. There were no excuses for the way he died accept racism. So everyone pretty much lost it and burned down the police station related to that dog shit officer and surrounding businesses, and it just caused a chain reaction of riots across America. This happens to areas outside of the police station as well . Things looked bad because the pandemic and the closing of businesses before, but now thing look all messed up . It also got crazy when there was semi martial law with military on the streets. In addition to all that The kkk also threatened and drove up to instigate a race riot and to burn black owned business, and homes. While this was happening the police choose not to serve those areas where many black neighborhoods were, responding to residents stating “we ain’t coming “. But “The Hood” took a stand. Those who would normally be seen as criminals were now defending and protecting our neighborhood, with ARs, Ks, FNs, blicks, Sticks, drums, snubs, shotie bodies, and all types shit. I applaud my brothers, and sisters, and the community banding together to protect our neighborhoods.
With all thats happen with police and black people its clear that its acceptable to legally kill black people. I say that because as a police officer who is paid to do a job. You kill someone black and for the most part get a slap on the risk and that’s it .
The general consensus here is that everyone wants to disband the police, or defund
I’ll take this opportunity to say, I don’t like police anymore then the next person that delt with they bullshit.
But I also have to look at it from logical standpoint . I wouldn’t suggest disbanding, or defunding. I rather have better trained officers who are not racially bias. The good cops that do they’re job and only there job be bumped up in pay, while the “bad cops” be fired. Three complaints and your done. Also a more extensive psychological test to weed out those who are racist or not mentally fit for the job. And no immunity to the law if they break it or murder someone. Not perfect but a good start .
But if I’m honest, America is built off racism, including the system so I really don’t see it changing.
If people invest in prisons for profit, and they wanna keep them full, who are they gonna put in them? Their children or ours?
If it came down to 1 ALBUM only, what underground Hip Hop album would you consider THE BEST OF ALL TIME!!!???……One 1 album you can choose.
lol that’s a hard question… alright you said album not artist…
lyricist loung underground AirPlay!
That was my joint back in the day when I was freestyling and painting (graffiti).
Here it is! Our most popular question! What is your definition of “underground hip hop”?
Underground Hip Hop is raw, uncommonly known,independently made by an artist or a small independent label without major radio spins or billboard charting. It also doesn’t cater to popular rap trends in music. Although someone can make a trap song, conscious song, gangster rap, etc… what separates it is the fact it isn’t mainstream. Not universally known or listened too.
Where can people find you on the web? Drop all the vital links.
———
Music Links: https://snd.click/28A
Social Media Links:
Official Website: https://www.anuahyahu.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Anuahyahu
