Artist Spotlight - Anonymuz

Anonymuz is an underground Florida rapper. I think he is currently criminally underrated, so I’m going to tell you about him and try to get you to listen to him.

I recently discovered Anonymuz when I saw him featured in a video called “Pokemon Cypher 2019” on YouTube. He had a very distinct style and sound that distinguished him from the nearly 20 other rappers featured, so I decided to check out his other stuff. Since then, I’ve been listening to his music almost nonstop, and I’m still yet to hear a bad song from him. Over the course of a couple months, he has already become one of my top 5 favorite rappers of all time.

There are many things that I like about Anonymuz. Firstly, he’s a very technically skilled rapper. He spits a variety of intricate flows, switching between different ones effortlessly, and he perfectly compliments any beat he’s on. Secondly, he has a lot to say beyond the typical hip-hop tropes. You’ll never catch Anon flaunting about how much richer he is than you (although, that might just be because he’s broke lul). That being said, he still knows how to wind down and just have fun on a track. Thirdly, he’s unabashedly passionate. He raps often about how much hip-hop means to him and the power that he believes music has to impact the world. He wants to be a positive force in the world that inspires people to do great things, and I respect that.

Another thing I like about Anon’s music is that hooks, as well as refrain in general, are greatly de-emphasized. More often than not, he forgoes having a chorus at all. He instead breaks up his songs in other ways, such as switching the beat, switching his flow, or inserting an audio sample that reflects the song’s theme. Even when he does include a chorus, it’s not the focus. I’ve only come across one notable exception: his song “Fake Shit”, which has a smooth R&B vibe that Anonymuz surprisingly pulls off quite well. If you like songs that are all about the bars, then Anon is a good match for you.

For those who would like to give Anonymuz a look, I have a few song suggestions to get you started:

    1. “Cowboy Bebop”, from Vice City (2016)
This is the lead single from Vice City wherein Anon gives a grim, visceral depiction of gang mentality. It’s an absolute banger with the kind of thunderous bass and cutthroat delivery that makes you want to punch a hole in the wall.
       2. “Yoko Kurama”, from Urameshi (2017)
This is one of his catchier songs. The hook is nice, but it’s nothing fancy, and it feels like an extension of the verses rather than a departure from them. This sums up pretty well the types of hooks you’ll hear from him. This song also exemplifies Anon’s appreciation for anime. It’s named after a main character from Yu Yu Hakasho (same as the album), and it starts with an excerpt from the classic anime “Cowboy Bebop”.
      3. “25 to Life feat. Sylvan Lacue”, from There Is No Threat (2019)
This song shows Anonymuz’s thoughtful, introspective side. In his first verse, he raps about how much hip-hop means to him and what he wants his music to do for his fans. In his second verse, he reflects on the state of his life, acknowledging that he is yet to see the success he’s sought after and that he’s often felt pressured to give up, but ultimately reassuring himself that he will push through adversity and achieve his dreams. This is all complemented perfectly by a subdued, spacey beat that makes you want to sit back and think about life.

Bonus Track: POISON KLAN by PlayThatBoiZay feat. Denzel Curry & Anonymuz
Anonymuz teams up with fellow Florida rappers Denzel Curry and PlayThatBoiZay on this track. The beat is unapologetically grimy and dark, making this is a good representative of the grimier side of Anonymuz’s music (especially since he’s the one who produced it). Also, notice how even in a short 16-bar verse, he switched up flows three times. Absolute legend.

You can find Anonymuz on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play Music, Soundcloud and YouTube.

​XAVIER CHARLOT