Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian Hwang.
Hi Ian, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I dabble in several areas of artistry which is why I’m known as “The Anomoly”. I started rhyming and dancing (poppin) when I was 13 in The Bronx. I grew up playing sports and competing in Martial Arts. I still currently training in Wing Chun but back then I hurt my knee and was unable to continue. I lost several opportunities including scholarships for basketball and football due to my knee injury. I was in a dark place and started to lose the will to live. Rhyming gave me a voice and a sense of confidence that had been lost. I was battling all over New York in cyphers, competitions and just on the block in general. It got to the point that someone would recognize me on the trains and it would turn into a battle. This is where my ability to freestyle rap was spawned because I didn’t want to keep repeating the same written nor did I wish to write an immense amount of battle rhymes. Dance was a result of me missing the more physical aspect of my life that was taken away due to my knee injury. I trained in choreography under the amazing Violeta Galagarza in the renowned group KR3Ts and eventually, I became a pupil under Bam The Liquid Robot from the New York City Breakers. He would go on to train me one on one for many years to come. With these pillars holding up my foundation I started recording music, performing in various shows, videos and independent films and establishing myself as an emcee and choreographer.
My parents left The Bronx when I was 16 but I stayed in my own apartment while going to Lehman High School for another year and half. I left to Orlando and found myself new and unknown in a different state. I went to Boone High School and that changed immediately. I started rap battling whoever felt the need to test me and got to the point where I was battling several rappers at the same time. This created a buzz for me as an emcee in Orlando. I eventually left to finish the second half of my senior year at Colonial High School because Boone hated that I was causing huge crowds that came to see me rhyme or dance. After High School through performing in shows, battling in different spaces and putting out music in a duo called Boxa Boiz with fellow artist and friend Neff Reynoldz I started coming into my own out here.
As time passed, I started writing poetry and people started asking me to turn their individual stories into poems. I had fun doing this and one day a friend of mine named Yeidi tatted one of my lyrics which would become the catalyst for more than 20 people to follow suit. Inspired by this beautiful display I decided to publish my first book entitled “words of an anomaly” it was a poetry book dedicated to everyone who immortalized my words on their flesh. Many of which tatted “S.B.” giving credit to the author of the lyric or quote. I couldn’t believe it. A few years passed and I ended up meeting with my friend Terence Hill aka Smoove Tee. I met him in New York when I was playing basketball in middle school. He was my JV basketball coach and a big reason why I was offered a scholarship to play ball in High School. He found out I rhymed and the end of the day he asked me to freestyle about what we had done prior to that moment. I freestyled about everything for around 20 minutes and from there he became a huge supporter of my music. He ended up throwing a show in Orlando where he had his favorite artist KRS One headline. He honestly believed that If KRS saw me perform that I would end up working with him. I didn’t take it seriously but ironically he was spot on. Terence is the reason I not only met with KRS One but also connected with KRS Ones son K Pryme who was the DJ for the show. At the end of the show, I got a message from KRS wife G Simone saying KRS was down to do a song with me. This was a moment I’ll never forget. I almost fell to the floor outside of what use to be Club Liquid on Pine St. What’s crazy is that I had to go to Disney a few hours later to dance lol so I did that off no sleep. What’s even more crazy is I ended up driving down to Miami with longtime artist and friend Skittelz who flew in from New York. We were in a group together called Spaded Hearts when I started rhyming and that group played a big role in my come up in The Bronx.
Upon arriving in Miami I barely got into the club but after speaking with K Pryme and seeing the fam I was placed on stage during a cypher and the rest is history. Pryme and I formed a group called “The Eyeconics” while I was dancing in Missouri. We are still a group to this day. We would go on to tour in Europe opening for KRS One throughout the whole summer and have performed all over the world since then. Pryme is the DJ and produces and I handle the bars for our duo. We have made music with legends like KRS One, R.A.The Rugged Man and Ras Kass with more on the way! It’s pretty insane and hard to believe sometimes. Music and dance has opened many doors for me and throughout the years I’ve also done motivational speaking and acting because of them. Huge shout out to my big bro G.I.A.N.T aka Hassan Yasin! He is the owner of the world-renowned Bartendaz and taught me how to be a public speaker. We connected through my dance mentor Bam The Liquid Robot when I was still a teen in New York and that played a big role in my stage presence. I currently have my own business called S.B. The Anomoly LLC and it continues to grow because of the amazing people that have guided and supported me till this day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As we all know there is no such thing a smooth road on the path to greatness. I’ve been in several groups that eventually disbanded for one reason or another. Each of them was very unfortunate because I honestly believe all of them had the potential to “make it”. Each group helped me grow and taught me a lot. I feel many artists can relate to being so close to getting that big break you worked so hard for and then it just disappears. That’s very disheartening and takes a huge toll on your mental and emotional health. I’ve wanted to quit rapping several times. Now, keep in mind as an artist and performer I do many things. I’m a published author, actor, dancer, poet, model and motivational speaker. However, being an emcee is the most important thing to me and whenever that part of my career isn’t going well I break down. I remember there was a time where nothing was working out. My mom had got physically hurt in a slip and fall that changed her life till this day. Also, I wasn’t seeing money coming in from music that would sustain me. As a young artist that made me feel like I was a failure. I’ve done motivational speaking for many young artists and this is a sentiment many of them share. If we don’t see money coming in, especially since we have to invest so much into this, it makes us feel like hamsters on a wheel. Throw a few break ups from different relationships that always seemed to transpire at the worst time and you add over 10 people dying that were important to me to top it off. All these things made me want to stop. I remember going to college for one year because I was book smart and figured I should just get my degree as a back up plan. I scored in the 98th percentile in the CPT test and I felt like this was a great idea. After one day being in class, I realized I hated college lol not because I disagree with education, rather, I just knew I had a different purpose. I finished out the semester with a 4.0 and gracefully bowed out to continue my journey. The fact that I always came back from those sunken places made me realize that I really wanted to be an emcee, entertainer and performer. Anytime an opportunity fell through, record deal didn’t work out or management didn’t go as I hoped it just made me stronger.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do and am known for several things. I’m going to do my best to condense my answer on this one lol I’m a professional recording artist. I write music for my self and others. I’m the emcee of the international duo called The Eyeconics and K Pryme is my DJ and producer. We have performed all over the world and have collaborated with Hip Hop legends and pioneers. We’ve also released several mixtapes and eps with much more to come. In that same emcee realm I’m also a part of a professional freestyle rap crew called “Free Daps”. They are unbelievable and are known throughout the country for their amazing freestyle rap abilities and insane improv skills. It’s truly an honor to perform with them. I’m a published author and I’m currently working on my second book called “words to live by”.
My first book is a poetry book called “words of an anomaly” which is a available on Barnes and Noble and Amazons website. I’m a poet and have performed throughout the country in different shows. One of my most noteworthy ones was in play created and directed by famous actor and choreographer Darrin Henson “Dreams do Travel” in world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance theater. I also acted and danced it it as well. I also dance and I’ve done a ton of shows and videos since I was 13. I also teach master dance classes at different studios and schools like Ivy Hawn Charter School in Lake Helen. I’m actually going to start teaching Hip Hop classes in the Port Orange YMCA starting April 2nd for all ages and skill levels. As far as acting goes I’ve done plays and independent films.
My second time acting I actually landed a lead role in a play called “Rise” that took place in Orlando’s very own Dr. Philips Center for Performing Arts located in downtown. This was a few years ago and I also danced, recited poetry and did the theme song for the play. That was a great time. I still act and am working on several projects including a movie called “The Ruwach” written by my dance teacher Peter Arizmendi aka Bam The Liquid Robot. I will be in the movie and I’m doing the theme song! One of my favorite things to do is motivational speaking! I started when I was teenager with Bartendaz as I mentioned before. I’ve spoken at prisons, detention centers, schools, and many other events. I hope to one day pack out stadiums and share my heart with as many people as possible. I know how it feels to be lost and I just want to be a light in this world. The last thing I will mention is modeling because I don’t do it often but I have modeled different clothing and jewelry from time to time. I’ve never been into walking the runway but I don’t mind taking photos. There’s more stuff that I do but these are what primarily focus on. The only thing I would like to add is I’m a Martial Artist and I teach self defense classes when I can. I’m about to start teaching self defense classes for women with a company called Brave Chains on April 22nd in Orlando. If any woman is interested they can dm @bravechains on Instagram to sign up.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
First, I want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story. It means a lot to me and I really appreciate it. Also, to everyone reading, I hope you continue to pursue your passions. Go after your dreams and claim what is already yours! Don’t ever let anything or anyone stop you. There may be times where you feel down or don’t get the kind of support you would like but that’s ok. The only person you need to motivate you is you and the rest will fall into place! Always remember that there are more strangers in this world than people you know. As long as strangers support you your brand will grow. It took me a little longer than I hoped but things are going great and it’s only because I kept believing in myself and that made others believe in me. You got this! We got this!
Contact Info:
- Email: Info@sbtheanomoly.com
- Website: www.sbtheanomoly.com
- Instagram: @sbtheanomoly
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/sbtheanomolyfanpage
- Twitter: @sbtheanomoly
- Youtube: YouTube.com/sbtheanomoly
Image Credits
@bykimberlyjane
@cindyhdphotography
@maxine_bowen
@soyisreal
