ANATII On His Upcoming Album, Signing With Gamma + More On Africa Now Radio

South African rapper, singer-songwriter, and producer ANATII joins Nandi Madida via FaceTime on Apple Music 1 to talk about his single, 'SEY'HLANGENE' featuring Al Xapo & Yumbs. He also discusses his forthcoming new album, ‘BOOM SZN,’ how he hopes to increase the reach of African artists around the world, and how he finds ways to recharge.

ANATII On Wanting To Continue To Represent Africa Globally

I’ve always been searching for how we push out further. How do we increase the footprint? Because when we give people the art and music, and these experiences, it shapes their lives in a different way. I’ve seen this firsthand in my travels. What Amapiano has been able to do is give people a voice and speak to the vibration. I’ve seen kids flourish, I’ve seen them do tours, I’ve seen them on stage. This is also from behind the scenes because I get the experience this behind the decks, producing, DJing here and there. Us having our parties in Paris, [where you see] Uncle Waffles, Focalistic, DBN Gogo, everyone going their thing. Seeing all of that movement and action really puts a battery in your back. We have been doing this thing, across genres.

ANATII On About Signing With Gamma

Gamma is breaking boundaries as a company, from a media and music perspective. That piqued my interest when I saw their announcement before us even speaking about a deal. I met Larry [Jackson] at an Usher show in Paris, so there were no conversations or context at that point. But to see how things come full circle… this deal for me just represents us taking ownership of what we have in terms of resources on the continent. Also being able to export to greater spaces and markets, to increase the footprint. With Gamma, we’re doing things that are beyond music. It’s about culture and intention; real impact. With ‘BOOM SZN,’ that’s just the beginning. African artist deals. The whole structure. How you can give a platform to someone else. It’s booming.

ANATII On How He Handles Pressure

The greatest thing is being able to create. I’m also just grateful. [I’m] really grateful to have a platform, to have a voice. To have the opportunity to create everyday. You know, I manifest on the highest level possible; whether it’s a tech venture that I’m doing or something in agriculture or food security, textiles, mental health. We’re always pushing. Even if I’m quiet, we’re always working. We’re always evolving and staying healthy. Healthy mind, healthy environment and booming.

 ANATII Tells Apple Music About How He Recharges 

More than a break. It’s always good to just reconnect with yourself, to realign the energy. To make sure that your battery is fully charged. We pour into so many people on a daily basis, and often we forget ourselves and we neglect ourselves. On my spiritual journey, it’s taken me to many places—India, Mexico, all over the [African] continent. Connecting the dots in terms of our spirituality and wholeness. That is a big part of me. The music is an expression, holistically—it’s all about the healing.

Tune in and listen to the full episode on Apple Music 1 at apple.co/_AfricaNow.