YourInfoDaily
This Brooklyn, New York Rapper Turned “She Bugging” Into a Meme: Khantrast
Anthony Zhang went from anime freestyles to New York drill. Here’s the story behind “She Bugging” and the “Baby You Buggin’” trend.
Khantrast is Anthony Zhang, a Chinese American rapper from Brooklyn, New York, and the voice behind “She Bugging (Whatchu Gonna Do),” the 2026 single whose official music video turned into a TikTok meme. Born in 1998 to Chinese immigrant parents, he went from anime freestyles to New York drill, and he has stayed independent the whole way.
Where is Khantrast from?
Brooklyn. Zhang is fluent in Mandarin and slips it into his music; KQED notes that “Valedictorian” features a verse rapped entirely in the language. He started posting songs to SoundCloud in 2017 and built an early following on anime-themed freestyles, with nods to Naruto, Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen. In 2022 he broke through with viral songs including “She Bad” and “Let’s Ride,” and dropped the Oppsmas EP.
“Landed in Brooklyn” and the breakout
The real turning point was “Landed in Brooklyn” in 2024, which pushed his sound toward New York drill. KQED reports the July video made him an internet sensation and earned him an On the Radar appearance, and a 2025 remix added Kyle Richh. The song also sparked debate over its use of Asian stereotypes, from lyrics to the straw rice-paddy hat in his videos. Rapper Dumbfoundead criticized the wider trend, while KQED wrote that Khantrast’s imagery comes from a place of pride. In April 2025 he kicked off his first tour, a four-city run that opened at San Francisco’s Brick and Mortar Music Hall.
What is “She Bugging” about?
Produced by Flint, “She Bugging” is a laid-back, loop-driven track that flips the gold-digger story: the woman he is chasing has her own money and pays for dinner. LiFTED Asia points out that the opening line plays on the idea of “yellow fever,” slang for a fetish for Asian partners. The official music video dropped June 5, 2026. Shot by Paul Song in Brooklyn at night, it moves through a claw-machine arcade, a nail salon and a gold-buying shop, a setting LiFTED called New York and Asian at the same time. Khantrast wears a Project X Paris Revolt zip jacket throughout, and the brand reported more than 100,000 views in the first seven days.
How “She Bugging” became the “Baby You Buggin’” meme
On September 30, 2026, Genius posted a Verified video of Khantrast breaking down the song. TikTok users started clipping his sung explanation of the hook that same day, and Know Your Meme now tracks the trend as “Baby You Buggin’.” One early edit passed 1.2 million views in six days, and a reenactment topped one million in two. Most versions use the clip whenever someone is bugging, meaning acting crazy.
Khantrast’s latest music
The meme landed in a busy year. In 2026 Khantrast released the Fake Love EP and tracks including “Malfunction,” “Lovesick” and an “ADD” remix, after opening the year with “Grimey Freestyle.”
Khantrast on YourInfoDaily
For the full rundown on the video, the producer credit and the viral moment, read Khantrast drops new music video for “She Bugging”. For a grittier look at his range from earlier in the year, see our January post, Khantrast shares music video for “Grimey Freestyle”.
Quick answers
What is Khantrast’s real name? Anthony Zhang.
Where is Khantrast from? Brooklyn, New York, where he was born to Chinese immigrant parents.
Who produced “She Bugging”? Flint. The official music video, shot by Paul Song, came out June 5, 2026.
What is the “Baby You Buggin’” meme? A TikTok trend built on Khantrast’s Genius Verified breakdown of “She Bugging.”
Sources
KQED — “Khantrast, the Internet-Famous Asian American Rapper, Kicks off Tour in SF”
LiFTED Asia — “Khantrast explains the complexities of Yellow Fever on ‘She Bugging’”
Know Your Meme — “Baby You Buggin’”
Wikipedia — “Khantrast”