Chima Anya

Artist Information

Biography

Having already secured worldwide BBC Radio 1 specialist support, opened for legends such as Jay Electronica, KRS 1 and Amp Fiddler, and independently manage to get his album into the itunes UK "best of hiphop 2010 list" (alongside Kanye West and Big Boi), Chima Anya believes it's time to begin a new chapter in his story as an artist.

Born to a Nigerian research scientist & Romanian economist, Dr Anya spent the first 10 years of his life in Glasgow giving rise to his striking accent. In 95' he moved to Oxford when his father started working at the prestigious university. When asked about where he calls home, having travelled so extensively and being of dual heritage, Chima states:

I rep Oxford, because that is the city I became a person in

At the worrying age of 17 Chima had secured a place at medical school in Birmingham. By this point his self certified PhD in Hip-hop had been completed and he was simultaneously honing his craft while completing his degree. Upon graduation at the age of 23, Chima quickly relocated to London where he continues to work as a doctor while moonlighting as a hip-hop artist.

“The doctor” made his first step onto the national stage as one of the UK’s premier MC’s with his first solo mixtape release “Higher Ground”. The mixtape instantly drew acclaim from prominent DJ’s on the UK’s most influential radio stations such as Radio 1, 1xtra, Kiss and Choice FM as well as international attention.

“Higher ground” was followed by the independent release of the album “New Day” (on his own imprint Phoenix Down). As mentioned earlier, despite minimal promotion and a demanding work schedule the album made multiple end of year “best of lists” (including Itunes best of 2010 hip-hop alongside artists such as Kanye West and Big Boi). 2010 also saw numerous high profile international performances across Europe and as far afield as Bahrain.

Having shared stages with legends such as Amp fiddler, KRS 1, Flava Flav, Jay Electronica, Brother Ali, Wale and Homeboy Sandman it’s no surprise that when asked Chima states his greatest joy comes from the live show. Always engaging, energetic and charismatic, Chima also fronts his own genre-leading 4 piece electronic / hip-hop outfit; a group that can only be described as a “must see“.

Instrumentation

Discography

Higher Ground - Mixtape 2009
New Day - Album 2010
Unresolved - Mixtape 2010

Official Website

http://www.chimaanya.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• New Day Feat Soweto Kinch
  Listen   Download
• What now
  Listen   Download
• Paid For
  Listen   Download

Video

Chima Anya New Day ft Soweto Kinch

Death

Photo Gallery

Press

• New Day [+ Show ]
  

  Seldom does a UK MC spin blindly out of first base with the charisma and soul that is displayed by C...Seldom does a UK MC spin blindly out of first base with the charisma and soul that is displayed by Chima Anya on debut album, and with the less than inspiring state of popular UK hip-hop, it’s downright inspiring to hear the potential presented.
  
  From the get-go, Chima lets his styles flow, mixing ragged, ego-boosting rap jams with percussion-driven creativity; a sound almost reminiscent of early Nas but nevertheless quintessentially British. The album’s intro is a flare of sheer genius as Chima ‘broadcasts’ his mission as if live on the air, backed by a tripped-out piano lick.
  
  The musicality never ceases though and whether he’s jiving about his hatred for the skinny jeaned drones or telling it like it is on the smooth love jam ‘Eye Choose You’, Chima never drops his guard and delivers a solid vision of where UK hip-hop should be.
  
  New Day is rooted deep in substance and message, and driven with such freshness and creativity that it must represent a veritable renaissance for UK hip-hop.

• Chima Anya - The Interview [+ Show ]
  

  Not many MCs can say that they save lives, not only by their words but by their actions too. This is...Not many MCs can say that they save lives, not only by their words but by their actions too. This is the case with the upcoming Chima Anya. As a doctor he is faced with a lot of difficulties which he then translates to paper and we, the audience, are blessed with a well inspired track. Initially influenced by Salt ‘N’ Pepper’s ‘Very Necessary’ album, this artist describes what it’s like to be the Jekyll and Hyde of rap....

• Chima Anya - New Day [+ Show ]
  

  As Anya states on ‘Spell It Out’, “Old school rap is back in a new way.” Old School is indeed alive ...As Anya states on ‘Spell It Out’, “Old school rap is back in a new way.” Old School is indeed alive and kicking, it just needed the touch of a bona fide doctor to nurse it back into good health again. New Day contains a collection of tunes bursting with NY influenced vibes by the closet thing the UK has to a Nasir Jones. Anya’s flow is confident but not overly cocky or annoying and more than once lapses into tongue in cheek humour. Along with the quality of his lyrics, it’s his on-record charisma which marks him out as a solid artist and a breath of fresh air in the vacuum or appalling UK Hip-Hop. Production from Astrosnare is good enough to maintain listeners interest throughout the album and fits Anya’s flow perfectly. Highlights to check out include ‘The Realness,’ ‘Death,’ ‘I Love Rap’ & ‘Paid For.’ There are some fine tracks on this record and if anything it’s all over too soon.

• New Day [+ Show ]
  

  Proving that Hip Hop can be pushed forward without resorting to corny gimmicks, ringtone beats and z...Proving that Hip Hop can be pushed forward without resorting to corny gimmicks, ringtone beats and zero-content is Chima Anya’s debut solo LP ‘New Day’. Chima also demonstrates that forward thinking can be inspired by reminiscing about ‘the good old days’. With more charisma than most of the UK’s MCs put together, a love of Hip Hop classics and more than a clue of what makes a good track Mr. Anya brings what will be one of the Hip Hop releases of the year.
  
  Kicking things off properly is ‘Spell It Out’ a fast paced funk fuelled B.E.A.S.T which features Chima just illing out, saying how good he is and absolutely proving it – entertainment. Hot on it’s heels is ‘The Realness’; a squelchy, slow head nodder containing Chima’s lyrical manifesto whereas ‘I Choose You’ is a straight up honest, love song with absolutely no cringe-factor whatsoever.
  
  ‘Hey’ is a minimalistic, percussion led track (like Busta Rhymes’ ‘Touch It’ but with more variety and just way better) which once again sees Chima’s cheeky ego taking centre stage with much aplomb. Title track ‘New Day’ is as upbeat as things come and Soweto Kinch does nothing but add to the feel of the album. Jehst pops up on ‘It’s The Manner’ – another quality track. ‘Paid For’ sees the release turn a corner – this is as serious as the other tracks are fun. Chima’s experience as a doctor comes though powerfully on this one.
  
  ‘New Day’ represents more than just that, it symbolizes new hope; fresh optimism for the Hip Hop scene. It’s out on 10th May, which I know is a while away, on Phoenix Down. You have to buy it.
  
  Chima supported Brother Ali at London’s Cargo last night and will be hosting the release party for this album at Camden’s Barfly on 9th April! Get to that and you just get your hands on the album sooner than you think!

Setlist

TECH SPEC

DI box x4 (for bass, macbook, sampler and guitar)
Crates x3 (for macbook, bass and guitar amps)
1 mic preferably wireless
Keyboard stand
Bass amp
Guitar amp (ideally with reverb and tremelo effect installed)
Drum kit hardware minus breakables
Stage monitors

Please let us know if you're able to provibe this spec so we know what or what not to bring

Basic Requirements

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