Hours before her show in DC, Anycia is settled in her hotel, ready for naptime before showtime starts. Everyone with her is ecstatic for what’s to come as it marks her second show selling out in a month, right on time as her debut album PPT. But once we get on the phone with her, she seems unfazed by the news as she is about to have the conversation while she gets settled into bed. “This isn’t nothing but talking to my friends like on the regular.”
Before the conversation can even begin, her vibrant personality immediately becomes apparent. Naturally outgoing, unwaveringly authentic to self, with a confidence that’s been present from day one. The same qualities that make her beloved by peers and fans alike. When asked what she’d consider her spirit animal to be, she was split between flamingos and elephants. The first choice is due to pink being her favorite color and flamingos’ protective instincts, while the latter is chosen because of their massive presence and their being heavyweights of their environments. Both selections equally describe her persona to a tee.
For the Atlanta rapper, this particular day is just another like the last, as life recently has become a constant state of grind since her sudden stardom took things to another level. Still cementing her career, she explained that her choice to pursue music professionally was divine timing.
"Everything at the time had me feeling like this was the time to go for it. So I just did it."
Covering so much ground in only her first two years, the work is speaking for itself, already selling out shows, securing a deal with UnitedMasters, and a nomination to be an XXL freshman. Ever since fans (whom she calls her nieces and nephews) became familiar with Anycia from her viral performance of “BRB”, life’s been a blur of long hours and constant moving.
“Since my [Off The Block] video dropped, me and my team [have] been working nonstop… Working with [United Masters] has been great. But on a day to day basis, a bulk of that work is done by my team. I love them so much.”
All the work has led to her latest release, the 14-track debut showcasing her calm, commanding demeanor that brings life to the music without the need to raise her voice. The project's already destined for year-round rotation, containing her own summer anthem "BACK OUTSIDE" with fellow Atlanta star Latto. The project contains multiple features, but the strongest moments are when she stands alone. It's the solo cuts like the groovy, uptempo "Type Beat" and the hazy track "EAT!" where Anycia shines her brightest. Hence why, out of everyone who appears on Princess Pop That, her favorite artist on the album is herself.
As told by the 26-year-old rapper, "My favorite collaboration on this album is… Me. I love everybody, but I really feel like I'm just like that."
For Anycia, it's the same kind of confidence and authenticity in self that's propelled her to where she is today. For the Southside Atlanta native, PPT barely scratches the surface of what's to come next for her. While she wasn't ready to offer much details, she said that her fans should "prepare to be entertained, that's all I can say."