Audiopile Review: Few rappers sound as perpetually hungry as Fly Anakin—the man continues to pour everything in, even at his most laid-back. On (The) Forever Dream, that hunger meets vibrant, soul-soaked production shaped by the curatorial hand of executive producer Quelle Chris, whose signature warmth and ear for off-kilter beats run throughout. Gospel organs, chipmunk soul, elastic-funk, and dusty textures colour the record, evoking classic DOOM, a fellow Lex Records alumnus, pushing Anakin into a fresh territory that suits his faded flow to a tee. The album’s stacked production cast, featuring favourites like The Alchemist, Child Actor, Foisey, and of course Quelle, provide a unified backdrop that’s dipped in a hazy, blunted nostalgia, recalling his excellent 2020 FlySiifu album that raised his profile considerably. Alongside the stellar lineup of producers, guests like Pink Siifu, Bbymutha, and Denmark Vessey elevate the album at every turn—but it’s Anakin’s instantly recognizable delivery and consistency that truly carries it. He’s been levelling up in plain sight, and (The) Forever Dream is further proof he deserves a louder share of praise. For fans of Navy Blue, Mach-Hommy, and anyone craving underground hip-hop steeped in soul, this one’s essential.

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Fly Anakin approaches his craft in a way few contemporaries can. Vigilant yet unorthodox, DIY-minded yet prolific, the Richmond, Virginia multihyphenate’s razor-sharp lyrics, ear for soulful production, and collaborative synergy are the result of over a decade of fundamental mastery.

(The) Forever Dream commemorates a new era of freedom for Anakin. Executive produced by Quelle Chris and featuring the likes of Denmark Vessey, BbyMutha, Pink Siifu & the Alchemist, the project includes songs Anakin believes are some of his most experimental and ambitious.

The long anticipated project comes after years of Anakin and Quelle developing a strong rapport, stemming back to 2019. “Quelle is one of the best collaborators ever—he’s not biased but he knows what he likes, open minded but stubborn at the right times,” Anakin says of his collaborative relationship with the Grammy-nominated producer. “On the low we just alike but polar opposites, we can do no wrong together.”