By Spandan Fulkar
11th June 2024
By Spandan Fulkar
11th June 2024
Music has always had a way of touching souls, and for Anoh, the journey into the world of music began at home and in church. His first inspiration came from his mother, a phenomenal singer who was his initial idol. "My mom is a phenomenal singer so I’d say she was my first idol who I looked up to and wanted to sound like," Anoh reflects. She taught him the songs played at church, marking his initiation into music. This nurturing environment laid the foundation for what would become a promising musical career.
The Birth of "Prodigy"
Every artist has a milestone they remember vividly, and for Anoh, it was the creation of his first song, "Prodigy," in 2018. "My first song is called Prodigy that I released back in 2018 when I had just started 12th grade," he recalls. At that time, Anoh was heavily into writing poems, which eventually led him to experiment with rapping. The beat inspiration for "Prodigy" came from Logic’s "44 More." Using the app Auxy on his iPad, Anoh crafted a beat, recorded vocals, and shared it with friends on WhatsApp. The response was overwhelming, leading him to upload it on YouTube. Reflecting on it now, Anoh finds it amusingly "wack" but acknowledges its importance in his growth as an artist.
Music has always had a way of touching souls, and for Anoh, the journey into the world of music began at home and in church. His first inspiration came from his mother, a phenomenal singer who was his initial idol. "My mom is a phenomenal singer so I’d say she was my first idol who I looked up to and wanted to sound like," Anoh reflects. She taught him the songs played at church, marking his initiation into music. This nurturing environment laid the foundation for what would become a promising musical career.
The Birth of "Prodigy"
Every artist has a milestone they remember vividly, and for Anoh, it was the creation of his first song, "Prodigy," in 2018. "My first song is called Prodigy that I released back in 2018 when I had just started 12th grade," he recalls. At that time, Anoh was heavily into writing poems, which eventually led him to experiment with rapping. The beat inspiration for "Prodigy" came from Logic’s "44 More." Using the app Auxy on his iPad, Anoh crafted a beat, recorded vocals, and shared it with friends on WhatsApp. The response was overwhelming, leading him to upload it on YouTube. Reflecting on it now, Anoh finds it amusingly "wack" but acknowledges its importance in his growth as an artist.
Kerala's Cultural Diversity
Kerala, a state known for its cultural diversity, is witnessing a burgeoning hip-hop scene, and Anoh is at the forefront of this movement. "Kerala in general is a very culturally diverse state, so to me it was only a matter of time till this was going to happen," Anoh observes. The blend of various dialects, religions, and traditions has given rise to unique musical forms that today’s generation integrates with hip-hop. Malayalam Hip Hop is making its mark in mainstream media, with new artists emerging regularly. Anoh is optimistic about the future, believing that the genre's growth isn't restricted by language, as the power of music transcends barriers.
The Mask: An Element of Intrigue
Anoh's persona is marked by a sense of intrigue, particularly with his use of a mask. Initially, it was Maahir, the director of the "Act IV (Thira)" music video, who suggested the mask to enhance the visual brand. "It was actually Maahir’s idea to get me to wear a mask specifically for the music video to bring out the quality of the brand name," Anoh explains. The mask then became a gimmick for gigs and eventually stuck. While he now performs with a mask, Anoh isn't committed to anonymity. He enjoys the flexibility of the "mask on and mask off" look, allowing fans to connect with him both on and off stage.
Evolution of Anohnymouss
The evolution of his name from Anoh to Anohnymouss adds another layer of mystery. This name originated back in sixth grade when he needed a cool Instagram username. "Anohnymouss was just another pun I made with my name," he recalls. It became a nickname among friends, naturally transitioning into his artist name as he delved deeper into music.
Concept Albums and Immersive Live Sets
Looking ahead, Anoh has ambitious plans for his career. He aims to create full studio concept albums that surpass his previous work. "I have been releasing singles and EPs over the past couple years, so right now I feel like I’m ready to make full studio concept albums that transcend all the music I’ve made so far," he reveals. Alongside album releases, Anoh plans to develop live sets that provide an exclusive, immersive experience both visually and sonically.
2024 and Beyond
As he continues to grow and evolve as an artist, Anoh remains committed to pushing the boundaries of his creativity. The upcoming year promises a plethora of releases, tour announcements, and live band sets. His forthcoming EP, "Ambo!," is set to release in August 2024, featuring surprise collaborations and what he describes as "bangers only." Anoh’s journey from his early inspirations to his current position in the Kerala hip-hop scene is a testament to his talent, resilience, and unwavering passion for music.
Finding His Sound
Anoh's sound is often described as fresh and new, but he views his sonic identity as an evolving journey. "I genuinely still feel I am in the hunt for it," he admits. He believes that artists never truly discover their sound but become comfortable with certain styles. His EPs, "Seek()" (2021) and the upcoming "Ambo!" (August 2024), reflect the foundation of his music—an ironic mix of melancholy and ecstasy.
Navigating the Industry
Navigating the music industry as an independent artist comes with its challenges, particularly balancing the creative aspects with the business side of releases. Anoh addresses these obstacles by seeking advice from friends and fellow artists. "The burden of having to worry about the non-creatives of a release that include marketing and promo often puts me through quite a bit of a complication," he shares. This collaborative approach helps him stay true to his artistic vision while exploring what works best.
Importance of Visual Elements
Anoh places significant importance on visual elements to complement his music. In today's digital age, visuals play a crucial role in enhancing the listener's experience. "I believe a song can sound different, and will hit different, depending on the right visual," Anoh states. He meticulously crafts visuals for his songs, ensuring they elevate the music and leave a lasting impression on the audience.
Kerala's Cultural Diversity
Kerala, a state known for its cultural diversity, is witnessing a burgeoning hip-hop scene, and Anoh is at the forefront of this movement. "Kerala in general is a very culturally diverse state, so to me it was only a matter of time till this was going to happen," Anoh observes. The blend of various dialects, religions, and traditions has given rise to unique musical forms that today’s generation integrates with hip-hop. Malayalam Hip Hop is making its mark in mainstream media, with new artists emerging regularly. Anoh is optimistic about the future, believing that the genre's growth isn't restricted by language, as the power of music transcends barriers.
The Mask: An Element of Intrigue
Anoh's persona is marked by a sense of intrigue, particularly with his use of a mask. Initially, it was Maahir, the director of the "Act IV (Thira)" music video, who suggested the mask to enhance the visual brand. "It was actually Maahir’s idea to get me to wear a mask specifically for the music video to bring out the quality of the brand name," Anoh explains. The mask then became a gimmick for gigs and eventually stuck. While he now performs with a mask, Anoh isn't committed to anonymity. He enjoys the flexibility of the "mask on and mask off" look, allowing fans to connect with him both on and off stage.
Evolution of Anohnymouss
The evolution of his name from Anoh to Anohnymouss adds another layer of mystery. This name originated back in sixth grade when he needed a cool Instagram username. "Anohnymouss was just another pun I made with my name," he recalls. It became a nickname among friends, naturally transitioning into his artist name as he delved deeper into music.
Concept Albums and Immersive Live Sets
Looking ahead, Anoh has ambitious plans for his career. He aims to create full studio concept albums that surpass his previous work. "I have been releasing singles and EPs over the past couple years, so right now I feel like I’m ready to make full studio concept albums that transcend all the music I’ve made so far," he reveals. Alongside album releases, Anoh plans to develop live sets that provide an exclusive, immersive experience both visually and sonically.
2024 and Beyond
As he continues to grow and evolve as an artist, Anoh remains committed to pushing the boundaries of his creativity. The upcoming year promises a plethora of releases, tour announcements, and live band sets. His forthcoming EP, "Ambo!," is set to release in August 2024, featuring surprise collaborations and what he describes as "bangers only." Anoh’s journey from his early inspirations to his current position in the Kerala hip-hop scene is a testament to his talent, resilience, and unwavering passion for music.
Finding His Sound
Anoh's sound is often described as fresh and new, but he views his sonic identity as an evolving journey. "I genuinely still feel I am in the hunt for it," he admits. He believes that artists never truly discover their sound but become comfortable with certain styles. His EPs, "Seek()" (2021) and the upcoming "Ambo!" (August 2024), reflect the foundation of his music—an ironic mix of melancholy and ecstasy.
Navigating the Industry
Navigating the music industry as an independent artist comes with its challenges, particularly balancing the creative aspects with the business side of releases. Anoh addresses these obstacles by seeking advice from friends and fellow artists. "The burden of having to worry about the non-creatives of a release that include marketing and promo often puts me through quite a bit of a complication," he shares. This collaborative approach helps him stay true to his artistic vision while exploring what works best.
Importance of Visual Elements
Anoh places significant importance on visual elements to complement his music. In today's digital age, visuals play a crucial role in enhancing the listener's experience. "I believe a song can sound different, and will hit different, depending on the right visual," Anoh states. He meticulously crafts visuals for his songs, ensuring they elevate the music and leave a lasting impression on the audience.
Concept Albums and Immersive Live Sets
Looking ahead, Anoh has ambitious plans for his career. He aims to create full studio concept albums that surpass his previous work. "I have been releasing singles and EPs over the past couple years, so right now I feel like I’m ready to make full studio concept albums that transcend all the music I’ve made so far," he reveals. Alongside album releases, Anoh plans to develop live sets that provide an exclusive, immersive experience both visually and sonically.
2024 and Beyond
As he continues to grow and evolve as an artist, Anoh remains committed to pushing the boundaries of his creativity. The upcoming year promises a plethora of releases, tour announcements, and live band sets. His forthcoming EP, "Ambo!," is set to release in August 2024, featuring surprise collaborations and what he describes as "bangers only." Anoh’s journey from his early inspirations to his current position in the Kerala hip-hop scene is a testament to his talent, resilience, and unwavering passion for music.
