Ant Wan
{{Short description|Swedish rapper (born 1998)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = person
| name = Ant Wan
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Antwan Afram
| alias = Ant Wan
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|01|01}}
| birth_place = Västerås, Sweden
| origin =
| instrument = Vocals
| occupation = Rapper, Songwriter
| genre = Hip hop
| years_active = 2018 - 2025
| associated_acts =
| label =
| website =
}}
Antwan Afram,{{Cite web|url=https://www.dn.se/kultur-noje/ant-wan-beror-med-sin-halvt-dolda-sorgsenhet/|title=Ant Wan berör med sin halvt dolda sorgsenhet|date=6 April 2020|work=Dagens Nyheter|language=sv|url-access=subscription|access-date=28 February 2021}} (born 1 January 1998) known professionally as Ant Wan, is a Swedish rapper and songwriter. After initially releasing his first song in 2016, he has since achieved major success in the Swedish music scene.
Afram made a few songs in 2017 and later in 2018 changed his artist name to Ant Wan. His debut EP, Wow, was released in 2019 and included the tracks "Wow", "Kall", "Rikare", "Fendi" and "Boo",[https://dopest.se/ant-wan-ep-wow/ Dopest.se Ant Wan släpper sin debut-EP "WOW"] each of which reached the top of the Swedish Albums Chart.
Early life
Afram was born on New Year's Day, 1998 and was born to an Assyrian family originally from Syria.{{Cite web |last=SyriacPress |date=2024-10-17 |title=Syriac hip-hop artist Antwan Afram breaks records with historic concert in Sweden |url=https://syriacpress.com/blog/2024/10/17/syriac-hip-hop-artist-antwan-afram-breaks-records-with-historic-concert-in-sweden/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Syriac Press |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Högström |first=Jenny |date=2024-10-14 |title=Ant Wan gjorde historia – igen |url=https://www.gp.se/kultur/ant-wan-skrev-historia-igen-.690674f6-dd5e-4736-a941-65291a7f014e |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Göteborgs-Posten |language=sv}} He grew up in the Råby area of Västerås, Sweden and released his first songs in 2016.{{Cite web |title=Ant Wan släpper nytt album om uppväxten i Västerås |url=https://www.kingsizemag.se/musik/ant-wan-slapper-nytt-album-om-uppvaxten-i-vasteras/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Kingsizemag.se |language=sv-SE}}{{cite web|title=Ant Wan: "Ingen bar mig, jag kom hit själv"|url=https://gaffa.se/artikel/136473/ant-wan-ingen-bar-mig-jag-kom-hit-sjaelv|work=Gaffa|date=4 May 2019|access-date=6 October 2021}} His first song was titled Jett on Jett, and he initially released it under the same name of the area he grew up in (Råby), but he would later change his artist name to Ant Wan in 2018.
Afram first released the song "Sativa" in 2018, reaching #67 on the Sverigetopplistan and staying for 14 weeks. In 2019, Afram released his debut EP Wow, which contained five singles and had one single, "Kall", reach number two on the charts and bring the EP to the top spot, beginning his rise to fame.{{Cite web |title=Ant Wan: "Ingen bar mig, jag kom hit själv" |url=https://gaffa.se/artiklar/2019/maj/ant-wan-ingen-bar-mig-jag-kom-hit-sjalv/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=gaffa.se |language=sv}} He would release his debut album, 724, the following year, reaching 2nd place on the charts and the main song of the album (under the same name) being certified platinum.{{Cite web |title=Search – Sverigetopplistan |url=https://sverigetopplistan.se/search/?query=Ant+Wan |access-date=2025-03-02 |language=sv-SE}}
Afram previously glorified a gangster lifestyle in his work and persona, but later backtracked on this and has since kept a relatively low profile.{{Cite web |title=Ant Wan |url=https://dopest.se/artists/ant-wan/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Dopest |language=sv}}{{Cite web |date=2019-11-28 |title=Sjunger om ständig rädsla för att dö på Råby – läs kulturredaktörens kärleksförklaring till Västeråsstjärnan |url=https://www.vlt.se/artikel/sjunger-om-standig-radsla-for-att-do-pa-raby-las-kulturredaktorens-karleksforklaring-till-vasterasstjarnan |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=VLT |language=sv}}
Career
In 2022, Afram was featured alongside fellow Swedish rapper Yung Lean for the latter's single "Paradise Lost".{{Cite web |title=Yung Lean releases “Paradise Lost” video featuring Ant Wan |url=https://www.thefader.com/2022/05/27/yung-lean-paradise-lost-video |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=The FADER |language=en}} The music video for the single featured Afram and Lean in a wooden chapel and a dimly-lit underground garage, and was released in May of that year.
In 2023, Afram performed his very first arena concert at the Avicii Arena, a concert which sold out the same day that tickets went on sale.{{Cite web |last=Nyheter |first=S. V. T. |date=2024-01-26 |title=Ant Wan och Maggio P3 Guld-galans stora vinnare |url=https://www.svt.se/kultur/ant-wan-och-maggio-p3-guld-galans-stora-vinnare |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=SVT Nyheter |language=sv}} The concert was organized with the online magazine DOPEST alongside German concert promoter FKP Scorpio.{{Cite web |last=Nilsson |first=Pontus |date=2023-10-02 |title=Allt om Ant Wan på Avicii Arena |url=https://dopest.se/ant-wan-konsert-avicii-arena-globen-bilder/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Dopest |language=sv}}
In early 2024, Afram was awarded "Artist of the Year" as well as the "Guldmicken" award for Best Live Artist at the Swedish P3 Gold Awards. Despite him winning the awards at the event, Afram was not physically present at the ceremony.
In late 2024, Afram made headlines for performing a sold out concert at the Tele2 area in Stockholm, which set a new attendance record of 40,899 people. The attendance number of the concert broke the previous record that Madonna held of 40,577 since 2015, and he made history as being the first Swedish hip-hop artist to hold his own concert in the area.{{Cite web |last=TT |date=2024-10-12 |title=Publikrekord när Ant Wan intog Tele 2 Arena |url=https://www.expressen.se/noje/publikrekord-nar-ant-wan-intog-tele-2-arena/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=www.expressen.se |language=sv}}{{Cite web |last=Nyheter |first=S. V. T. |date=2024-10-12 |title=Alan Max om fenomenet Ant Wan: ”Driver kulturen framåt” |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/stockholm/alan-max-om-fenomenet-ant-wan-driver-kulturen-framat |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=SVT Nyheter |language=sv}} He would thank everyone in attendance at the concert, saying:
"For me, you are not fans, for me, you are my family. Whatever happens after the concert, if it ends, I will always love you."{{Cite web |title=Audience Record as Ant Wan Takes Over Tele2 {{!}} Sweden Herald |url=https://swedenherald.com/article/possible-audience-record-when-ant-wan-takes-over-tele2 |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=swedenherald.com |language=en}}
= Grammy rant controversy =
In late 2022, although having been nominated for the Swedish Grammis, Afram took to Instagram in a public post, where he questioned why he wasn't nominated in all the categories before exclaiming, "Grammis and P3 can run their prizes up their asses".{{Cite news |last=Hörmark |first=Andreas |date=2024-10-12 |title=”En generationsröst – som Ulf Lundell” |url=https://www.svd.se/a/vgw4RB/sa-blev-hemlighetsfulle-ant-wan-en-av-sveriges-storsta-artister |access-date=2025-03-02 |work=Svenska Dagbladet |language=sv |issn=1101-2412}} Although he was initially furious about having received only one nomination from the Grammis, he would later accept his award nominations from P3.{{Cite web |last=Nylin |first=Lars |date=2024-09-01 |title=NYLIN om fenomenet Ant Wan (och lite om Oasis) |url=https://www.musikindustrin.se/2024/09/01/nylin-om-fenomenet-ant-wan-och-lite-om-oasis/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Musikindustrin |language=sv-SE}}
= Album takedown =
Early in 2024, it was noted that Afram's album Leylas World was temporarily taken down from Spotify due to a copyright claim on the song "Jag and Du".{{Cite web |last=Nyheter |first=S. V. T. |date=2024-01-22 |title=Ant Wan-låtar tillbaka på Spotify |url=https://www.svt.se/kultur/ant-wan-latar-oatkomliga-pa-spotify |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=SVT Nyheter |language=sv}} The album was later put back on the platform.
= Retirement =
On 16 May, 2025, Afram announced that he would be retiring from music and life as an artist.{{Cite web |last=Boman |first=Hilda |date=2025-05-15 |title=Ant Wan slutar som artist |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/3M0jdA |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=www.aftonbladet.se |language=sv}} Writing on his Instagram page, Afram told his fans,
"I will never forget you and what we have achieved together, but it is time for me to live my life away from the cameras and spotlight."{{Cite web |last=Sundin |first=Alice |date=2025-05-15 |title=Ant Wan slutar |url=https://sites.jmk.su.se/laget/ant-wan-slutar/12646 |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=sites.jmk.su.se |publisher=Läget |language=sv-SE}}Afram is set to perform at the 2025 edition of Sthlm (Stockholm) Fields on June 28th, which will be his last solo performance.{{Cite news |date=2025-05-15 |title=Ant Wan slutar – gör sista konsert i Stockholm |url=https://www.mitti.se/nyheter/ant-wan-slutar--gor-sista-konsert-i-stockholm-6.3.297449.15e0aa3483 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250518181230/https://www.mitti.se/nyheter/ant-wan-slutar--gor-sista-konsert-i-stockholm-6.3.297449.15e0aa3483 |archive-date=2025-05-18 |access-date=2025-06-22 |language=sv}}{{Cite web |title=Ant Wan to Sthlm Fields {{!}} Sweden Herald |url=https://swedenherald.com/article/ant-wan-to-sthlm-fields |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=swedenherald.com |language=en}} On 1 August, Afram will perform his last concert at the Dream Park Festival in Malmö.
Discography
=Studio albums=
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SWE |
|---|
| scope="row"| Wow
| rowspan="3"| 2019 | 1 |
| scope="row"| Ghettostar
| 4 |
| scope="row"| Kapitel 21
| 1 |
| scope="row"| For Those Who Believed
| 2024 | 1 |
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
==Featured singles==
=Other charted songs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SWE |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Fendi"
| rowspan="12"| 2019 | 31 | rowspan="4"|Wow |
| scope="row"| "Wow"
| 52 |
| scope="row"| "Rikare"
| 65 |
| scope="row"| "Boo"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Boo" did not enter the Sverigetopplistan, but peaked at number five on the Swedish Heatseeker chart.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/215?dspy=2019&dspp=2|title=Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 2, 2019|language=sv|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|access-date=24 April 2021}}}} |
| scope="row"| "Ghettostar"
| 31 | rowspan="5"| Ghettostar |
| scope="row"| "Livsstil"
| 56 |
| scope="row"| "Kokain City"
| 61 |
| scope="row"| "Flera Days"
| 63 |
| scope="row"| "Thug"
| 74 |
| scope="row"| "Va mig"
| 7 | rowspan="3"| Kapitel 21 |
| scope="row"| "Je t'aime"
| 21 |
| scope="row"| "Maria"
| 40 |
| scope="row"| "724"
| rowspan="12"| 2020 | 9 | rowspan="11"| 724 |
| scope="row"| "Madame"
| 26 |
| scope="row"| "Fukushima"
| 56 |
| scope="row"| "Annan kaliber"
| 60 |
| scope="row"| "Bang bang"
| 61 |
| scope="row"| "Dyin"
| 67 |
| scope="row"| "Modigliani"
| 80 |
| scope="row"| "Vit Cola"
| 95 |
| scope="row"| "Lalala"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Lalala" did not enter the Swedish Singellista Chart, but peaked at number 12 on the Swedish Heatseeker Chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/215?dspy=2020&dspp=15|title=Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 15|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|accessdate=10 April 2020}}}} |
| scope="row"| "Kopior"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Kopior" did not enter the Swedish Singellista Chart, but peaked at number 14 on the Swedish Heatseeker Chart.}} |
| scope="row"| "Immanu El"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Immanu El" did not enter the Swedish Singellista Chart, but peaked at number 15 on the Swedish Heatseeker Chart.}} |
| scope="row"| "Puss"
| 48 | 724 (Deluxe){{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/5eUsNU1yIOrVrA8A6yswU1?si=-neOKBLkRzSFM8b_bS2NSA|title=724 (Deluxe)|website=Spotify|access-date=24 April 2020}} |
| scope="row"| "1942"
| rowspan="14"| 2021 | 4 | rowspan="7"| Leylas World |
| scope="row"| "Malaika"
| 11 |
| scope="row"| "Dom Pérignon"
| 45 |
| scope="row"| "Wavy"
| 52 |
| scope="row"| "Magic"
| 54 |
| scope="row"| "Leylas World"
| 66 |
| scope="row"| "Shot Caller"
| 75 |
| scope="row"| "Heartbreaker"
| 14 | rowspan="7"| Wow 2 |
| scope="row"| "5AM"
| 19 |
| scope="row"| "Innan musiken"
| 22 |
| scope="row"| "Wenak"
| 5 |
| scope="row"| "Live n Learn"
| 34 |
| scope="row"| "Jayzee"
| 33 |
| scope="row"| "Walkin"
| 36 |
| scope="row"| "En"
| rowspan="8"| 2022 | 7 | rowspan="8"| The Only Wan |
| scope="row"| "Med dig"
| 20 |
| scope="row"| "Testa"
| 21 |
| scope="row"| "Dexter"
| 22 |
| scope="row"| "Hennessy"
| 17 |
| scope="row"| "Kärlek" |
| scope="row"| "Drama" |
| scope="row"| "22 Freestyle" |
| scope="row"| "Misstag"
| rowspan="15"| 2024 | 18 | rowspan="5"| For Those Who Believed |
| scope="row"| "Mirakel"
| 26 |
| scope="row"| "Kokaina"
| 40 |
| scope="row"| "Luv"
| 16 |
| scope="row"| "Legacy"
| 29 |
| scope="row"| "Guten Tag"
| 56 | rowspan="10"| Wanderland |
| scope="row"| "Sweden"
| 20 |
| scope="row"| "Marisol"
| 49 |
| scope="row"| "Bad Boy"
| 34 |
| scope="row"| "Wesh"
| 58 |
| scope="row"| "Toxic"
| 51 |
| scope="row"| "24 Freestyle"
| 61 |
| scope="row"| "Hur"
| 88 |
| scope="row"| "SOS"
| 33 |
| scope="row"| "Fatti"
| 66 |
Notes
{{notelist-ua}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ant-wan-mn0002547315 Ant Wan] at AllMusic
- {{Discogs artist | artist=Ant Wan | name=Ant Wan}}
- {{MusicBrainz artist | id=8a225afe-6f2f-4118-857e-9e7015bf8c83 | name=Ant Wan}}
- [https://genius.com/artists/Ant-wan Ant Wan] at Genius
- [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEH-gAPioypexWp1lBH6dYA Ant Wan] on YouTube
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ant Wan}}