SXSW Interview: Anycia’s Got Vibes and Some Shit to Talk

ATL songstress on standing out, pressure, and next project

Anycia (Photo by Akbar Khan)

Popularized by her conversational delivery, unbothered attitude, and larger-than-life personality, Atlanta native Anycia returned to Austin on Friday as a part of Rolling Stone’s Future of Music showcase.

The 27-year old rapper has collaborations with Latto and Flo Milli under her belt, along with a fierce debut album, and co-signs from Drake and Kevin Durant.

Austin Chronicle: Last time you were in Austin was October of last year when you were supporting Kehlani on her world tour. Now you’re here with Rolling Stone. How does it feel to make that jump?

Anycia: It feels great. I was brought out on [KARRAHBOO’s] set last year for the same thing, so it’s cool that I’m here and I’m doing my own show. I feel like I had a good little break. This will be my first performance since tour. I’m getting back into the groove. I’m excited.

AC: Next month marks the one-year anniversary of Princess Pop That. Can you tell me about the process that went into making the album?

A: All of my songs were extremely sporadic. A lot of Don Julio was involved. A lot of Mary Jane was involved. A lot of chicken wings. It wasn’t as if I was making songs for an album. I was just in the studio making songs and then I just put together that album when the time came.

AC: A lot of people have been asking about your next project. Do you want that to be a continuation of your debut or are you dying to try something new?

A: I’m definitely staying in my same box. I’m dipping into different versions of myself, but even those versions [are] still the same girl. I feel like everything mushes together pretty well.

AC: Rap is one of, if not the biggest, music genres in the world at the moment. There’s so much talent coming from all directions and I’m curious how you go about making yourself stand out among all of the other artists?

A: It’s a mindset thing. Once you start looking at everybody as competition, that’s when everything kind of goes a different route. All of this shit is like a big ass high school. I feel like there’s enough room for everybody. I just stay true to myself.

AC: You’ve been called “Atlanta’s new it-girl” by OGM and “The Future of Music” by Rolling Stone. Do you feel a sense of pressure to live up to that?

A: No. I guess when the ball is in your court, you can lose the ball anytime. I’ve been feeling stuff like that, but I don’t really feel no pressure. I’m just doing my thing. I like that people love it.

AC: I definitely think that’s why they love it, because they can just tell it’s kind of effortless.

A: We just chilling, baby. I ain’t got no bippity boopity bop. I don’t got that. All I got is vibes and some shit to talk.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

Support the Chronicle  

READ MORE
All Aboard Again for Interactive Play <i>Overheard on a Train</i>
All Aboard Again for Interactive Play Overheard on a Train
Rebecca Maag's rolling stock theatre hops on Austin’s Red Line

Richard Whittaker, April 10, 2025

The Austin Chronic: Crying at a SXSW Panel About Psychedelics
The Austin Chronic: Crying at a SXSW Panel About Psychedelics
The power of healing evokes feelings on a trip down to the conference

Kevin Curtin, March 21, 2025

More by Miranda Garza
Album Review: Will Johnson’s Pensive Trip to <i>Diamond City</i>
Album Review: Will Johnson’s Pensive Trip to Diamond City
Folk-rock troubadour strips down for 10th solo album

May 30, 2025

Reggaeton, Psych Rock, Brat-Pop, and More Crucial Concerts
Reggaeton, Psych Rock, Brat-Pop, and More Crucial Concerts
Local shows worth your admission this week

April 18, 2025

KEYWORDS FOR THIS POST

Anycia, Rolling Stone, SXSW 2025, SXSW Music 2025

MORE IN THE ARCHIVES
One click gets you all the newsletters listed below

Breaking news, arts coverage, and daily events

Keep up with happenings around town

Kevin Curtin's bimonthly cannabis musings

Austin's queerest news and events

Eric Goodman's Austin FC column, other soccer news

Information is power. Support the free press, so we can support Austin.   Support the Chronicle