anaiis is deeply inspired by her multicultural upbringing across cities as diverse as Toulouse, Dakar, Oakland, and London. This background fosters a fearlessness and openness to new sounds and experimentation. anaiis' music is a reflection of this quest, inspired by the revolutionary legacies of figures like Nina Simone, bell hooks, and Zanele Muholi—each of whom challenged conventional thinking and championed personal and collective liberation. In this sense, her artistry is both deeply personal and politically resonant, encouraging fearlessness not just in sound, but in thought and identity as well.
She self-released her debut This Is No Longer A Dream, a cathartic album featuring Chronixx, Sjava, and Topaz Jones. She has since performed alongside Erykah Badu, Daniel Caesar, and Nick Hakim, including a sold-out headline show at the Barbican.
anaiis is always written in lowercase as a tribute to bell hooks, a feminist author and activist known for her work on race and gender.