Lyrics Born and Cutso discuss anti-Asian hate with new single "Anti"

Rapper Lyrics Born and producer Custo have teamed up to take on anti-Asian hate with their new cut “Anti.”

The track, which can be heard below, comes at a time when anti-Asian hate crimes have skyrocketed in the United States. Lyrics Born said this about the powerful new cut:

“‘ANTI’ is a song I wish we never had to make. Unfortunately it was also the easiest to make. Firstly, I think [the number of reported incidences] was always higher than what has been reported in the past because culturally and historically, we don't snitch. Hateful rhetoric is such an everyday occurrence for Asian-Americans. Sadly, it's become normalized in our community. As such, we have a tendency to (try and) shrug it off, put our heads down, and keep it moving. That said, I think the skyrocketing numbers in the past year are a direct result of the former president using phrases like ‘The China Virus’ and ‘Kung-Flu’ with reckless abandon, thereby sanctioning racist behavior and the scapegoating of Asians in the COVID era.

We have to speak out and not put our heads down and ignore abuse when it happens. I hope ‘ANTI’ will provide some relief and respite for people like us who have faced this kind of treatment since we've been in this country. I also hope it will open the eyes of many non-Asians who may not know this is happening on the regular and build solidarity with other people of color.

People think Asians are background music. We're just not respected in the way I demand to be. That's changing now. We have much more presence in pop culture and on social media than in the past, and our voices have more resonance.”

All proceeds from the song’s sales will go towards Stop AAPI Hate. “Anti” can be picked up here.