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AKIR |
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Twenty-two-year-old rapper/entrepreneur AKIR isn't trying to jump into mainstream pop-hop and come out with another "hit" about drugs, sex and violence. This intellectual lyricist has something to say. "I represent the everyday struggle," said AKIR (Always Keep It Real) in a recent phone interview with Shine. "It sounds like a cliché to say such but my lyrics definitely reflect everything that goes on in my life at all times. It's kind of like taking a walk with me and seeing what I go through but at the same time being able to learn, change or grow from that experience…" In mid-thought, AKIR stopped for a second. Something interrupted the artist's eloquent flow as he yelled out "Hey, you like hip-hop?" to someone passing by on the street. He then took a short break from our interview to sell his latest album STREET EDITION Volumes 1&2 to a guy on the sidewalk in Brooklyn. With tenacity like this - this NY-bred rapper is going to be heard. "…The underlying thing to me is basically improving yourself," he continued. "Rebuilding yourself, especially for minorities as we have been picked apart by society." His lyrics encompass the struggle that many minorities face daily while staying positive. He describes these views in the lines of "Survive" on STREET EDITION as he says, "...these thoughts are serious and much more than lyrical, modern-day negro spirituals, contemporary biblical, there's a lot in this world, you might not be the dopest, stay focused, always keep a eye on your peripheral, no tellin what these ni$$az'll do, don't get side-tracked my ni$$az, just do you..."
"The whole thing about STREET EDITION is that we pre-released album tracks to see what the street feels is hot," he said. Street Edition Volumes 1&2 was test marketed from NYC to Atlanta in search of the best tracks to include on the album. Click here to listen to tracks from STREET EDITION Volumes 1&2. With so much up-n-coming talent in the industry, AKIR keeps himself on top by promoting his music, pushing to get his CDs in stores, making appearances in record stores (most recently at Capitol Records in D.C. on U street), doing shows and keeping his content creative. After recently performing at an event with Wu-Tang member Remedy in York, PA, AKIR got a taste of what it's like to be known, "I've never even heard of York, PA but there were people in the crowd singing my song! That, in itself, is worth all the effort, it makes all this worth it." With a definite message in mind, AKIR began honing in on his musical abilities in high school. By 1994 he was an on-air personality with WNMH 97.9 (Mass.) and moved on to continue his education at Howard where he placed 2nd out of 50 in Howard University's Verbal Armageddon, MC competition. After spending some time attending Howard University, AKIR decided that his economics major was not the path he wanted to pursue because of the current negative trend in the economy. Since that time, AKIR has teamed up with business partners SOUTHPAW, Christoher Tetsuo, and Charles Ellison to create One Enterprises, a fully operational media corporation specializing in music production and product/service promotion.
As for his rap collection when he was young, he played Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane and Q-tip to name a few. Currently he listens to Rakim, Mos Def and has much respect for the Roc-A-Fella crew. Business-wise AKIR is, "really feelin' Russel (Simmons), he's doing his thing in terms of bringing hip-hop to the political arena and as being the forefather to the hip-hop enterprise." "Right now my favorite artist is Immortal Technique," he said. "I've seen him grow lyrically and content-wise, there's really nobody who can touch him right now. He's won a lot of battles." More production is something on the horizon for this hip-hop entrepreneur. He worked on his last album alongside his brother/business partner SOUTHPAW (aka RayDogz formerly of Daddy's House Recording Studios) and co-produced for Immoral Technique's album Revolutionary Vol. 1. "In the future, I want to concentrate more on production and songwriting for other artists," he said. "I also definitely want to start a foundation to work with kids who are into music but don't know how to go about it. Give them a place to reach out and show their artistic value." In the meantime, AKIR plans to constantly promote his music. He'll be shooting a video in D.C. in October and has plans to do shows with Dead Prez in the northeast. AKIR is currently seeking distribution deal to get his message across through music. Please click here for booking information. |
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AKIR - where you can find him…
AKIR - "The Manhattan Project," Manifest Media '98 DJ R'SONIST -"MixTape," Heatmakers '98 NEW BREED - "New Breed Compilation", One Enterprises '00 AKIR - "Always," Promo, One Enterprises '00 ASHA - "Got it Goin' On," Screw Records '02 AKIR - "Street Edition, Vol. 1," One Enterprises '02 DJ N'FINIT - "The Blockbuster," One Enterprises '02 N.D.L. - "World Conquest," N.D.L. '02 AKIR - "Street Edition, Vol. 2," One Enterprises '03 IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE - "Revolutionary, Vol. 2," Viper Records '03 LIVE FROM THE BLOCK-Live From The Block DVD (DC) '03 BLOCK MONEY-Block Money The Album '03 WAX POETIC- Heavy Traffic 2 (Road Rage) '03 |
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©Copyright
PlanetShine.com 2005 |
AKIR
has not only been on the streets getting feedback from everyone who will
listen, he has steadily been working to get his CD in stores across the
country. Even with all of his efforts, he is currently having trouble
getting on the shelves of Fat Beats. So if you're in the area of 406 6th
Avenue in Manhattan… Stop in and ask for AKIR's latest album, and maybe
they'll eventually show some love. 
AKIR
grew up around the sounds of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, and with a
Jamaican family he heard a lot of Bob Marley, Issac Hayes, and met jazz
musician Earl Klugh when he was five, "I think he had a lot to do with
my decision to be in music. I was in his hotel room bangin' on drums.
I also met Peter Tosh and had an uncle who was into Jimmy Hendrix."