With “Love, Weed & Mittelfinger”, German rapper from Kazakhstan Antifuchs puts the three virtues of her music and artistic persona on clear display as the title of her second studio album. The title summarizes her rebellious and provocative but good-at-heart personality perfectly: Antifuchs is undoubtedly a woman loyal to her ideals, defying the often portrayed soft, easily digestible image of a woman in music. With this record, she once again proves: she is tough, talented and to the point.
The mask is more of a political statement on her status in the music industry.
The 31- year-old Emilia Reichert is known for her provocative attitude, raspy voice and splendid rhyme-spitting skills. Her name matches her appearance, as she hides her face behind the black mask of a fox. Although previously done in the rap scene - think Sido in the early 2000s, or more recently, Cro - Antifuchs is not primarily trying to mask her identity with the prominent face accessory, like many other artists. In her case, the mask is more of a political statement on her status in the music industry. She refuses to be judged by her looks, as it is unfortunately often common for rapping female artists. Instead, Antifuchs demands to be seen for her talent - and it is showcased brilliantly on “Love, Weed & Mittelfinger”.
Her love for marijuana is as frequently addresses as her clear anti-attitude towards hate, discrimination, oppression, violence, and racism.
In general, the fox transferred lots of love for and loyalty to family, friends, and making music into the album. With a coarse but charmingly sarcastic attitude, she showcases the diverse facets of her personality, sometimes playful and trouble-seeking (“Ruhestörung”, featuring party-prole Frauenarzt), often tough and ballsy (“Kräuter, Knofi, Feta”), and in rare moments even vulnerable (“Fallen”, “LOVE”). Her love for marijuana is as frequently addresses as her clear anti-attitude towards hate, discrimination, oppression, violence, and racism.
On the 21 track-long “Love, Weed & Mittelfinger”, Antifuchs shows off her rapping and rhyming skills, seemingly living by the idea that modesty is a virtue, but it won’t get you far. Simple beats leave space for her attention-demanding voice and complex articulations and witty rhymes. The album is a bold direct opposite to the currently often hyped Mumble-Rap. From the choice of words to the choice of beat and the choice of features, the vixen proves excellent taste by successfully blending gangster rap and women empowerment. The five a cappella tracks remind of intelligently phrased, witty poetry slams and are clearly a highlight, adding emotional and lyrical depth to the album.
Love, Weed & Mittelfinger is a charmingly rebellious alternative to mumble rap and a musical middle finger to all the prejudice faced by female rappers today.
Even when it comes to feature songs, Antifuchs remains true to herself and her style. The thus far most streamed piece on Spotify is a collaboration with the rappers of Nullzweizwei, who also accompanied her on tour in autumn and winter 2019.
All in all, Antifuchs succeeds in creating an album that is both a charmingly rebellious alternative to mumble rap and a musical middle finger to all the prejudice faced by female rappers today.
