Latvian Rapper Duck on New Album “222” and Finding Inspiration in Dissonance

At the beginning of March, the long-awaited album by the rapper Anša (stylized as duck), titled “222,” was released, featuring duets and collaborations with other artists. This interview takes place within the walls of the Sarkandaugava “Provodnik” factory, which serves as ansha’s studio.

Rapper, beatmaker, and producer duck (real name Ansis Kolmanis) has been active in music since 2005, gradually gaining recognition within the hip-hop community. His 2020 album, “Great Art,” propelled ansha to a new level of recognition, earning him the title of album of the year and attracting a wider audience.

Duck describes himself as a “rap head,” prioritizing the development of hip-hop culture over fame. This dedication is evident in his 2023 album, “Melnezera šipka,” created with his brother beatmaker 181h (real name Kārlis Kolmanis, known together as “Netīrās cilpas”), which represented the Latvian hip-hop scene in numerous contexts. His new solo album, “222,” also features a host of guest artists.

A Fortress of Inspiration: The “Provodnik” Factory

“Provodnika” quarter is like a compact city-state – one big building and then the new extension on the other side. We are in the old walls. About “Provodnik,” I like to tell people what the guide Mārtiņš told me: the linoleum that was on the “Titanic” was made here. These premises housed a rubber factory,” says duck, reflecting on his unique workspace.

He chose the location after seeing it online and being drawn to its imposing presence. “I saw on the Internet that there are rooms available here. I had driven by and seen this building before and thought it was impressive, and interesting. I decided that I wanted to infiltrate here and develop this my creative environment. Later, I also moved to Sarkandaugava to be closer to “Provodnik.”

Duck finds inspiration in dissonance, and the environment of “Provodnik” seems to fuel his creativity. He describes a childhood feeling of comfort akin to the atmosphere of Ķemeru, a region known for its decaying sanatorium buildings and medical facilities in Latvia.

Beauty in the Blend: Artistic Philosophy

When asked about his concept of beauty, duck challenges conventional notions. “Now that you ask, I think we usually witness beauty as positive and ugly as negative, don’t we? I suspect I don’t see things that way at all,” he explains. “For me, it’s all about the cocktail of the beautiful and the ugly, about the context, about the rhythm in which one meets the other.”

“222”: A Reflection of the Present

The album “222,” created between 2025 and 2026, represents a shift in mood from his previous work, “Great Art.” Duck emphasizes the album’s connection to the city of Riga. “The ambition of the album “222” was primarily linked to the place. I’m worried if it will be read that I shamelessly base this album in the eyes as the content of this city, Riga.”

He deliberately focused on the present and recent past, moving away from the retrospection that characterized “Great Art.” “For example, there was a lot of retrospection in the album “Great art”. This time I thought it was enough – I don’t want to rummage through the past so much.”

Duck acknowledges a certain reluctance within the rap community to address current issues, but he sought to find a way to discuss them artistically, avoiding banality. He cites Artur Skutel as an example of someone who successfully navigates these topics in his music.

Comfort and the Spirit of Hip-Hop

Duck expresses a concern that the current level of success and comfort within the Latvian hip-hop scene may dilute its original spirit. “I don’t like that I’ve been the one going on missions my whole career. Why aren’t we played on the radio? Get us on the radio! Knocking on that radio door until we’re on the radio. Why don’t rappers perform on festival stages? We weren’t there. We knocked on the doors of festivals until we were all admitted. Now there are festivals dominated by rappers.”

He believes that hip-hop’s strength lies in its willingness to challenge and question, and fears that complacency could lead to a loss of its core values. “The spirit of hip-hop and rap as I know it is not given comfort and advantage. I don’t know if I know how to adapt to an age where we are spoiled so that we can now do whatever we want.”

Collaboration and Community

Duck praises the lyrical writers of the “5% Academy” community on Discord for their dedication to transcribing and interpreting his lyrics. He values the interaction with this community and the opportunity for discussion and debate.

“Before I start a piece, I like to understand what audience it will be for… “222” marks my new era, it’s an album for a more closed circle.”

Afterword

The album “222” is a reflection of duck’s artistic vision and his engagement with the current cultural landscape. The album features collaborations with Goča (“Back to 1005,” a song dedicated to Sarkandaugava and Dzirciems), Arturas Skutel and Stepa (“Kauns” and “Betrayal”), and Gustavo (“Parādi”), offering a diverse range of sounds and perspectives.

Duck is preparing a special edition of “222” in board format, and the album will be performed live at the “Straume” hip-hop festival in Līgatne.