Anik Khan

Anik Khan is a Bangladeshi-American rapper and singer-songwriter based in New York City.

Early life Khan was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh and raised in Astoria, Queens, New York. His father was involved in politics and fought in the Bangladesh Liberation War. In 1993, when Khan was four, his father moved their family to the United States.

Khan moved to Leesburg, Virginia with his family in his early in high school and began spending his time making beats on FL Studio. Khan described going through an identity crisis during this time, saying "I kinda didn't know who I was, I was like away from my culture". Khan later attended Full Sail University in Florida, studying recording arts engineering. While attending university, Khan would travel back to New York to record music. Khan's father and sister moved back to New York while his mother still lived in Virginia at their house, and Khan would divide his time after university living in the two states. Khan's mother would later move back to New York and live with them in LeFrak City, as they could no longer afford to live in Astoria.

"Too Late Now", produced by Jarreau Vandal, was released in February 2016, Khan described the album as "less about the immigrant story" and more about himself, "a young guy who's chasing a dream in his late 20s". "Habibi" is a celebration of immigrant culture, specifically Yemeni culture, reflecting those who run the local bodegas in Queens. A revolutionary hymn, "Columbus" was described by Khan as about any oppressor and "what they think they did and what really happened". and "Big Fax". The former featured producer Sango and Nigerian artist Burna Boy. Representing immigrant pride, the video features "hijabis with AK's, sports cars AND rickshaws, and black and brown people flourishing and living their best life", according to Khan.

The release of Kites was a commercial success and led to multiple offers for Khan to tour in European cities such as London, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Porto.

2020–present: Denied, Approved and return to success After receiving his citizenship, Denied and Approved. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown, the projects were delayed until 2021. Outside of hip hop influences, Khan's music draws influence from different cultures, such as South Asian (specifically Bangladeshi and Indian) and West Indian. He is a fan of English football club Arsenal.

Discography

Studio albums

Kites (2017) Denied (2021)

Extended plays

I Don't Know Yet (2015)

Singles +YearSongAlbumNotesReference(s)2015"Shadows"I Don't Know Yet "The Knowing" 2016"Too Late Know" "Renegade" "Renegade" (ALLxCAPS Remix) "Cleopatra"KitesSamples the song "Jiya Jale" from Dil Se.. 2017"Columbus" "Habibi" 2018"Oh My" (featuring Burna Boy & Sango) "Big Fax"Released under Saavn's Artist Originals platform "Renaissance Interstate" (Charles Holt featuring Anik Khan)