Anjimile Explained

Anjimile Chithambo, better known under the mononym Anjimile (/əˈn ˈd͡ʒɪm ːə liː/ ann-JIM-uh-lee),[1] [2] is an American folk musician from Boston, Massachusetts.

Early life

Anjimile was born in 1993 and raised in Dallas before eventually moving to Boston. In an interview with Sound of Boston, Anjimile notes that the second song they wrote, "Apocolypse Now," was inspired by a "tumultuous time in high school" and about being excited to move to Boston and leaving behind the constraints of the Texan suburbs.[3]

Growing up, they started playing guitar at 11, and sang in choirs starting in the fifth grade and continuing until college. Their early musical influence came through listening to their dad's Oliver Mtukudzi albums in the car, and early Sufjan Stevens.[4]

Later influences were getting sober and connecting with their Black Malawian roots. Anjimile identified as a lesbian for 10 years, before coming out as trans. They self-describe as "queer/trans/boy king" and use both they/them and he/him pronouns.[5] [6]

Career

2016–2020

Anjimile began writing songs when they were a music industry student at Northeastern University, and wrote most of their most recent album Giver Taker while in rehab in Florida in 2016, where they got sober. In 2018, they entered NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert contest, and a panel from Boston affiliate WBUR named them the best entrant from Massachusetts. The following year, a Live Arts Boston grant from a pair of local non-profit foundations gave them the budget to make Giver Taker.[7] Prior to releasing the full-length album, Anjimile had self-produced and released numerous albums of their own.[8]

Anjimile released Giver Taker in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. International booking agencies had taken an interest in booking them but they could not tour due to the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Anjimile held a virtual release show for their album.[9] NPR named the album one of the best 50 albums of 2020.[10] Anjimile released their first full-length album in 2020 titled Giver Taker on Father/Daughter Records.[11] According to Rolling Stone Magazine, Anjimile is an "artist you need to know"[12] and their song "Baby No More" was a "Song You Need To Know" by the magazine.[13] Anjimile was also Consequence of Sound's Artist of the Month".[14]

2021–present

In 2021, they signed to 4AD,[15] and released their EP, Reunion, which included reimagined, orchestral versions of songs from their 2020 album, Giver Taker, with guest artists Jay Som, SASAMI, and Lomelda.[16] [17] In 2022, they toured with Hurray for the Riff Raff.[18] In 2023, they were featured on McKinley Dixon's album, Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?,[19] and signed an open letter to SXSW from the Union Of Musicians And Allied Workers demanding higher pay.[20] [21]

In May 2023, Anjimile released the track “The King,”[22] which Pitchfork wrote, "transforms acoustic guitar and his own voice into a whiplashing storm".[23] The release of the track also served as an announcement of Anjimile's album The King, which was released on September 8, 2023, and features contributions from Justine Bowe, Brad Allen Williams, Sam Gendel, and James Krivchenia.[24]

Discography

As lead artist

Albums!Title!Label!Year!Source
The King4AD2023[25]
Giver Taker Father/Daughter2020
ColorsIndustry Lab2018[26]
Good BoySelf-release2016[27]
Human NatureHuman Nature Records2015[28]
Extended plays!Title!Year!Source
Reunion (Instrumentals)2021
Reunion2021[29]
Maker Mixtape2019[30]
Snow Day2015[31]
Singles!Title!Year!Source
“Father”2023[32]
“The King”2023[33]
“Stranger”2021[34]
“Maker (Acoustic Version)”2020[35]
“Ever New”2021[36]
“Sonja Smokes Me Out”2019[37]
Music videos!Title!Year!Source
“Baby No More”2020
“Therapy”2015

As featured artist

Albums!Title!Artist!Label!Year!Source
Beloved! ParadiseJazz!? McKinley DixonCity Slang2023
The Baby Reimagined SamiaGrand Jury2021[38]
How Many More Times Esther RoseFather/Daughter2021[39]
Why the Wild Things AreCliff NotezHipStory2019[40]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Corcoran . Nina . Anjimile: Giver Taker . https://web.archive.org/web/20230511212046/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/anjimile-giver-taker/ . 2023-05-11 . 22 November 2020 . Pitchfork.
  2. Web site: 2020-10-26 . Sober singer-songwriter Anjimile crafts a work of beauty on 'Giver Taker' . https://web.archive.org/web/20230507015609/https://www.thetiesthatbindus.org/singer-songwriter-anjimile-drapes-sobriety-in-the-gossamer-sounds-of-wonder/ . 2023-05-07 . 2023-05-01 . The Ties That Bind Us . en-US.
  3. Web site: Chairin . Becca . Local Spotlight: Anjimile . Sound of Boston. 12 February 2014 .
  4. Web site: Chairin . Becca . Local Spotlight: Anjimile . Sound of Boston . 12 February 2014 . 13 August 2024.
  5. Web site: 2020-09-18 . Anjimile Talks Giver Taker, Sobriety & More . https://web.archive.org/web/20201107004213/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/anjimile-opens-giver-taker-sobriety-identifying-trans-more . 2020-11-07 . 2020-12-02 . GRAMMY.com . en . bot: unknown .
  6. Web site: Lorusso . Marissa . 16 September 2020 . Anjimile Just Can't Wait To Be King . https://web.archive.org/web/20230511212711/https://www.npr.org/2020/09/16/909375785/anjimile-just-cant-wait-to-be-king . 2023-05-11 . 2020-12-02 . NPR.org . en.
  7. Web site: Introducing WBUR's Favorite Massachusetts Entry To NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest . https://web.archive.org/web/20230511213051/https://www.wbur.org/news/2018/06/27/wbur-favorite-massachusetts-entry-npr-music-tiny-desk-contest . 2023-05-11 . 2021-04-25 . WBUR . 27 June 2018 . en.
  8. Web site: Lorusso . Marissa . 16 September 2020 . Anjimile Just Can't Wait To Be King . https://web.archive.org/web/20230512035733/https://www.npr.org/2020/09/16/909375785/anjimile-just-cant-wait-to-be-king . 2023-05-12 . 22 November 2020 . NPR . NPR Music.
  9. Web site: Hilleary . Mike . 2020 . Bartees Strange, Anjimile & More On What It's Like To Release A Debut Album In A Pandemic . 2023-05-29 . Academy Awards.
  10. Web site: 2 December 2020 . The 50 Best Albums Of 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230512040059/https://www.npr.org/2020/12/02/930492613/the-50-best-albums-of-2020-page-1 . 2023-05-12 . 2020-12-02 . NPR.org . en.
  11. Web site: Empirw . Kitty . 13 September 2020 . Anjimile: Giver Taker review – a compelling debut . https://web.archive.org/web/20230511213600/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/sep/13/anjimile-giver-taker-review-debut-sufjan-stevens . 2023-05-11 . 22 November 2020 . The Guardian.
  12. Web site: Blistein . Jon . 16 September 2020 . Anjimile's Joyful Becoming . https://web.archive.org/web/20230511213751/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/anjimile-interview-artist-you-need-to-know-1058274/ . 2023-05-11 . 22 November 2020 . Rolling Stone.
  13. Web site: Blistein . Jon . 12 August 2020 . Song You Need to Know: Anjimile Owns Up to a Bad Romance on Sizzling 'Baby No More' . https://web.archive.org/web/20230511214022/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/anjimile-new-song-baby-no-more-giver-taker-1043120/ . 2023-05-11 . 22 November 2020 . Rolling Stone.
  14. Web site: Schatz . Lake . 16 September 2020 . Artist of the Month Anjimile on Overcoming Addiction, the Power of Ancestry, and Being Black and Trans Under Trump . https://web.archive.org/web/20230512035906/https://consequence.net/2020/09/artist-of-the-month-anjimile/ . 2023-05-12 . 22 November 2020 . Consequence of Sound.
  15. Web site: 2021-10-19 . Anjimile Signs to 4AD, Shares New Song "Stranger" . https://web.archive.org/web/20230529021001/https://pitchfork.com/news/anjimile-signs-to-4ad-shares-new-song-stranger-listen/ . 2023-05-29 . 2023-05-29 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  16. Web site: 2021-04-14 . Anjimile feat. Jay Som: In Your Eyes (Reflection) . 2023-05-29 . COOL HUNTING® . en-US.
  17. Web site: 2021-04-13 . Anjimile Announces Orchestral Remix EP, Shares New Version of "In Your Eyes" With Jay Som . https://web.archive.org/web/20230529020516/https://pitchfork.com/news/anjimile-announces-orchestral-remix-ep-shares-new-version-of-in-your-eyes-with-jay-som-listen/ . 2023-05-29 . 2023-05-29 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  18. Web site: Sacher . Andrew . 2022-04-18 . Hurray for the Riff Raff played Elsewhere with Anjimile & Amelia Jackie (pics) . https://web.archive.org/web/20230529023827/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/hurray-for-the-riff-raff-played-elsewhere-with-anjimile-amelia-jack-pics/ . 2023-05-29 . 2023-05-29 . BrooklynVegan . en.
  19. Web site: Jones . Abby . 2023-03-07 . McKinley Dixon announces new album Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?, shares "Run, Run, Run": Stream . https://web.archive.org/web/20230529023407/https://consequence.net/2023/03/mckinley-dixon-beloved-paradise-jazz-stream/ . 2023-05-29 . 2023-05-29 . Consequence . en-US.
  20. Web site: 2023-02-07 . SXSW 2023: Wednesday, Speedy Ortiz, Anjimile, & Dozens More Artists Demand Higher Pay In Open Letter . https://web.archive.org/web/20230529023609/https://www.stereogum.com/2213104/sxsw-fairer-pay-open-letter-umaw/news/ . 2023-05-29 . 2023-05-29 . Stereogum . en.
  21. Web site: Hatfield . Amanda . 2023-02-07 . 120+ artists call for higher pay from SXSW in new open letter . 2023-05-29 . BrooklynVegan . en.
  22. Blistein . Jon . 2023-05-23 . Anjimile Wears a Heavy Crown on New Song 'The King' . Rolling Stone . en-US . https://web.archive.org/web/20230529025736/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/anjimile-the-king-new-song-album-listen-1234739832/ . 2023-05-29 . 2023-05-29.
  23. Web site: 2023 . Anjimile: "The King" . https://web.archive.org/web/20230529025617/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/anjimile-the-king/ . 2023-05-29 . 2023-05-29 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  24. Web site: 2023-05-23 . Anjimile Shares New Song "The King": Listen . https://web.archive.org/web/20230529025417/https://www.stereogum.com/2224581/anjimile-the-king/music/ . 2023-05-29 . 2023-05-29 . Stereogum . en.
  25. Web site: 2023-05-23 . Anjimile Announces New Album The King, Shares New Song . 2023-07-15 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  26. Web site: Boston Singer-Songwriter Anjimile Mines Blissful Melodies From Melancholy Thoughts . 2023-07-15 . www.wbur.org . 2 August 2018 . en.
  27. News: Doolin . Lily . 2018-07-27 . Anjimile and the Colors of Pride . 2023-07-15 . WERS 88.9FM . en-US.
  28. Web site: 2015-03-24 . Anjimile . 2023-07-15 . HUMAN NATURE RECORDS . en.
  29. News: Hussey, Allison . April 13, 2021 . Anjimile Announces Orchestral Remix EP, Shares New Version of "In Your Eyes" With Jay Som . Pitchfork . April 13, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230512040806/https://pitchfork.com/news/anjimile-announces-orchestral-remix-ep-shares-new-version-of-in-your-eyes-with-jay-som-listen/ . 2023-05-12.
  30. Web site: Anjimile's 'Maker Mixtape' is Brief and Beautiful Arts The Harvard Crimson . 2023-07-15 . www.thecrimson.com.
  31. Web site: 2015-02-05 . Review: Anjimile's EP reflects on winter season - The Huntington News . 2023-07-15.
  32. Web site: 2023-06-29 . Anjimile Gets Vulnerable On His Delicate New Single 'Father' . 2023-07-15 . UPROXX . en-US.
  33. Blistein . Jon . 2023-05-23 . Anjimile Wears a Heavy Crown on New Song 'The King' . 2023-07-15 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  34. Web site: 2021-10-19 . Anjimile Signs to 4AD, Shares New Song "Stranger" . 2023-07-15 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  35. Web site: 2020-07-07 . Anjimile - "Maker" . 2023-07-15 . Stereogum . en.
  36. Web site: 2021-09-28 . Listen to Bartees Strange, Eric Slick, and Ohmme cover TV On The Radio, Anjimile cover Beverly Glenn-Copeland . 2023-07-15 . WXPN Vinyl At Heart . en.
  37. Web site: Listen To 'Sonja Smokes Me Out,' Anjimile's Upbeat Salve To A Troubled World . 2023-07-15 . www.wbur.org . 9 January 2019 . en.
  38. Web site: 2020-12-01 . Samia Announces Covers Album The Baby Reimagined, Shares "Is There Something in the Movies?" (Briston Maroney Version) . https://web.archive.org/web/20230512040628/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/samia/samia-announces-the-baby-reimagined-shares-is-ther . 2023-05-12 . 2023-01-20 . pastemagazine.com . en.
  39. Web site: How Many More Times, by Esther Rose . https://web.archive.org/web/20230512040410/https://estherrosemusic.bandcamp.com/album/how-many-more-times . 2023-05-12 . 2023-01-20 . Esther Rose . en.
  40. Web site: Why the Wild Things Are, by Cliff Notez . https://web.archive.org/web/20230512040301/https://hipstory.bandcamp.com/album/why-the-wild-things-are . 2023-05-12 . 2023-01-20 . HipStory . en.

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