Singling out any one track as an artist’s best work is always a risky proposition, especially when that artist is as dynamic and prolific as Yani Mo. But damn if “Anointed” isn’t a slice of poetic magic that sees the Lithonia rapper peeling back the veil and wrestling with the existential dilemmas that come with being a creator, a truth seeker, a friend. It’s a song that swings between personal credence and self-doubt, often in the space of a few bars. “Spirits surround me / I’m tryna decipher if that means / I’m blessed or I’m haunted” she raps, fully aware that the answer depends on the moment and the circumstances surrounding the moment.
Featuring production from EVNB, the track opens in a wash of impressionistic ambience—just a few finger snaps and some airy chords to lead the listener into the heart of Yani Mo’s emotional and spiritual reckoning. The section ends with a simple plea—“Let’s play no games, no games, no games”—before dissolving into a breezy trap beat that propels the song forward. It’s a common transition in hip-hop but here it’s a critical one as it creates the momentum necessary to transition from that plea to something of a personal denouement, even if all it yields are more questions. Yani Mo has graced us with smart, compelling music in the past, and “Anointed” only cements the rapper’s status as one of Atlanta’s foremost storytellers.
Listen below.
Yani Mo will perform on Fri., Sept. 21 at Murmur alongside Dead Selves (Record Release), TAYLOR ALXNDR, Gabbie Rotts, and Jamee Cornelia. Doors open at 8 p.m.
More Info
Web: yanimomusic.com
Bandcamp: yanimo.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @itsyanimo
Instagram: @yanimo_
SoundCloud: @yanimo
Twitter: @yani_mo