Fly Anakin - (The) Forever Dream *Pre-Order

Fly Anakin is a rapper and producer who approaches his craft in a way few contemporaries can.

Vigilant yet unorthodox, DIY-minded yet prolific, the Richmond, Virginia multihyphenate's razor-sharp lyrics, ear for soulful production, and collaborative synergy are the result of over a decade of fundamental mastery. Described by Madlib as "one of the illest MCs," the Mutant Academy cofounder was in his pocket well ahead of his acclaimed solo debut, Frank (2022). After years of consistent releases with his collective, Anakin broke major ground in 2020 with his and Pink Siifu's joint project FlySiifu's, followed by their $mokebreak EP in 2021. A student of the East Coast's golden age, Anakin transmutes its spirit into music that's both classicist and pioneering, having worked with the likes of Freddie Gibbs, redveil, BbyMutha, and MAVI. With the release of a Mutant Academy debut album completed, and his solo album (The) Forever Dream imminent, Anakin has cemented his place as a leader in rap's underground Renaissance.

(The) Forever Dream commemorates a new era of freedom for Anakin, who rarely approaches bodies of work without a preconceived concept. Executive produced by Quelle Chris, the project, which features the likes of Denmark Vessey, The Alchemist, BbyMutha, and Pink Siifu, includes songs that Anakin believes are some of his most experimental and ambitious. "The album is me and Quelle kicking it, smoking, learning each other, and playing video games," he says of the project's inspiration and recording process. "It was time to make some mindless music, to tackle production I would've otherwise picked up." The long anticipated project comes after years of Anakin and Quelle developing a strong rapport, stemming back to 2019. "Quelle is one of the best collaborators ever--he's not biased but he knows what he likes, open minded but stubborn at the right times," Anakin says of his collaborative relationship with the Grammy nominated producer. "On the low we just alike but polar opposites, we can do no wrong together."

Born Frank L. Walton, Jr., Fly Anakin grew up in Richmond's Hillside Court projects and describes his upbringing as equal parts "peaceful and chaotic." Anakin came up on a rich diet of cartoons and the music of prolific MCs, and cites his older brother, a rapper, as his biggest musical influence. "I saw what he did as wizardry," Anakin, who has always been propelled by keen imagination and a sense of curiosity, remembers. "So I started writing, by the age of 13 I was recording music." In 2010, Anakin and Henny L.O. started Mutant Academy, which has since grown to include Big Kahuna OG, Ohbliv, Ewonee, and Foisey among its ranks. Anakin's collective, which makes a nod to the X-Men franchise, was formed as a vessel for his creatively gifted friends to join forces. "Everybody around us was making videos, making beats or rapping, and we picked up the people we stuck with the most," he says of its formation. "We're literally like a family now." Since then, Anakin has released over a dozen collaborative projects with Mutant Academy members, with Open House (2014), Backyard Boogie (2018), At the End of the Day (2020), Skinemaxxxsides A and B(2023)as notable standouts. Teaming up with PinkSiifu during the COVID-19 pandemic, projects FlySiifu's (2020) and $mokebreak (2021) marked a turning point for Anakin. Beyond consistently producing for Mutant Academy, his innovative, sample-averse approach began to push forward artists like BbyMutha and Monday Night. That traction led to the critical reception of the Lex signee's solo debut Frank (2022), which earned him recognition as "the best pure rapper in the scene" by Pitchfork. "That album was my baby and I neglected it for so long because of what was happening in the world," Anakin says of the album, which receivedseveral Album of the Year accolades. "I never asked for that one to be the one, but it's the one."

Tracks: Good Clothes feat. Demae / Teen Summit / My Nigga feat. $ilkmoney, Quelle Chris & Big Kahuna OG / Lil One (Intro) / Lil One / CheckOnMe feat. lojii / NOTTOOSHABBY feat. Quelle Chris, Nickelus F & $ilkmoney / Lord Forgives, I Hold Grudges feat. Denmark Vessey & Pink Siifu / The Times / Forever Dream (Interlude) / Forever Dream / Corner Pocket feat. Quelle Chris & BbyMutha / Dr Phil (Skit) feat. Sycho Sid / YOUGOTME!! / Foreverever Dream (Interlude) / Say Thank You feat. Pink Siifu & Turich Benjy  

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