Who is Anike? Anike is an American Christian rapper and singer based in Austin, Texas, active since 2016 under the name Wande before changing her artist name in the summer of 2024. The first woman signed to Reach Records, she blends hip hop, R&B, and pop in music carried by her faith.
Anike began her career in 2016 under the name Wande, a contraction of her former legal first names Mutiat and Yewande. Signed to Reach Records, the label founded by Lecrae, she became the first woman to join the label's roster, alongside artists like Trip Lee, KB, and the 116 Clique, with whom she has shared several collaborations over the years.
In the summer of 2024, she announced a change of artist name and legal name to become Anike, a decision she describes as reflecting a turning point in her walk of faith, moving away from her former legal first names. Since then, she has pursued a career that extends beyond music into television, advertising, and the stage, while continuing to release projects with Reach Records.
- Origin
- Austin, Texas, USA
- Style
- Christian hip hop, R&B, and pop
- Active since
- 2016 (as Wande, Anike since summer 2024)
- Good to know
- The first woman signed to Reach Records
How did Anike get started?
Anike launched her music career in 2016 under the name Wande, with independent singles like No Flex. Discovered by Reach Records, Lecrae's label, she became its first signed female artist, a place she held alongside figures from the 116 Clique like Trip Lee and KB. She released several projects under that name, including the album EXIT in 2020 and the EP The Decision the same year.
The following years saw a growing number of collaborations, notably with Lecrae on Blessed Up (Remix) in 2021 and Send That in 2024, as well as with Porsha Love, an artistic partnership that has continued after her name change. In 2024, she released her first album under her new name, simply titled Anike.
What makes Anike stand out?
In the summer of 2024, the artist announced that she was changing her stage name and legal name to Anike, explaining that the choice reflected a break from her former legal first names, Mutiat and Yewande, and marked a new stage in her spiritual journey. Her music, which blends hip hop, R&B, and pop, comes with a presence that extends beyond the music scene: she has notably appeared in ads for ESPN and Apple, performed at the Essence Festival, and hosted the encouragement program Girl Talk on the channel TBNx.
Her music has been featured by figures like Michelle Obama and Kirk Franklin on their own playlists, and she has opened for Lecrae on tour while also collaborating with TobyMac. This journey makes her one of the few female voices to have made a name for herself in a Christian rap world that remains largely male.
Where should you start with Anike?
Contagious and He's Been Good, released under her new name, capture well the confident blend of hip hop and pop that defines her current music. Holy Girls! (Werk), more energetic, shows another side of her style, while her earlier tracks under the name Wande, like Blessed Up, remain a good entry point into her journey.
songs
Contagious
one of the first singles released under her new artist name, Anike.
He's Been Good
a song of gratitude carried by a production that blends R&B and Christian pop.
Holy Girls! (Werk)
a bold, rhythmic track, representative of her energy on stage.
Discography
- 2025Good News, No Gossip· EP
- 2025With Love, Anike· EP
- 2024Anike· first album under her new name
- 2020EXIT· under the name Wande
- 2020The Decision· EP, under the name Wande
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Anike?
Anike is an American Christian rapper and singer based in Austin, Texas, active since 2016. The first woman signed to Reach Records, she blends hip hop, R&B, and pop in music shaped by her faith.
Why was Anike previously called Wande?
She performed under the name Wande, a contraction of her former legal first names Mutiat and Yewande, before announcing in the summer of 2024 a change of artist name and legal name to Anike, connected to her walk of faith.
Is Anike a Christian?
Yes. Anike describes her faith as the heart of her music, saying that without it, her artistic work would not be the same.
What is Anike's most famous song?
Among her most notable tracks are Contagious and He's Been Good, released under her new name, as well as Blessed Up, released back when she performed as Wande.
Has Anike collaborated with other Christian artists?
Yes, she has collaborated with Lecrae several times, notably on Send That and Blessed Up (Remix), as well as with TobyMac and singer Porsha Love.
Where can you listen to Anike?
Her music is available on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer, as well as on her official YouTube channel and the Reach Records website.