Big news from the Reach Records camp! One of their leading voices, the talented rapper Wande, has changed her name to Anike.
Now, before you think this is just a marketing gimmick or publicity stunt, let’s get one thing straight. For Anike, the Nigerian American rapper who’s been keeping us dancing for Jesus, this is about something much deeper.
“This isn’t a marketing scheme; it’s just a life of full obedience, surrender, and submission to the Lord,” she shared with her supporters.
So, where does this story begin? Anike, the 28-year-old Texas native, says God has called her into a new season.
She explained that her birth names, Mutiat and Yewande, have deep Arabic and Yoruba roots.
“Yahweh has called me into a new season. In moments of stillness with Him, He brought to my remembrance my names given at birth: Mutiat and Yewande. Mutiat is an Arabic Muslim name meaning obedience/devotion to Allah,” she said. “Yewande is a Yoruba name meaning ‘the mother has returned’ (aka reincarnation).”
After praying with her mother, who also shares her Christian faith, Anike knew it was time for a change.
“The name I felt led to go by publicly is ‘Anike,’ the short form of my fully hyphenated new middle name Ireoluwa-Anike. Meaning: The goodness of God – we have something to care for and cherish and not take for granted.”
Anike encourages everyone to dive into their Bibles and shared a few scriptures to shed light on her journey:
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.” — Philippians 3:8 NLT
“For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” — Isaiah 55:9 NLT
“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth. Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” — Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” — Psalms 111:10 NKJV
Check out the official video where Anike reveals her new name: