Akala
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- Genres: Rap
Biography
Kingslee Daley had a lot of career options before settling on the music business. A former youth team defender for both Wimbledon and West Ham football clubs, Daley was a straight ‘A' student, an athlete, and -- at one point -- manager of a restaurant, and all before turning 25. But it was as part of the British rap and grime scene that Daley would make his biggest impression. Taking the name Akala (a Buddhist term meaning immovable), Daley released his first album, It's Not a Rumour in May of 2006. A critical success, the album won him the 2006 Mobo Award for Best Hip-Hop Artist, and scored him an opening slot on the UK leg of Christina Aguilera's 2006 tour. That isn't to say that the musical end was his only interest, however. As head of the label Illa State, Akala was also in the business of production, including mix tapes and videos. In 2007, Akala (It should be noted that Akala/Kingslee Daley was also the brother of Ms. Dynamite, so he probably did have a bit more knowledge than most as to how the scene worked.) released album number two, Freedon Lasso. The album was subsequently promoted by a number of live shows and touring. ~ Chris True, RoviWikipedia on Answers.com:
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Akala (rapper)
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| Akala | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Kingslee James Daley |
| Also known as | Black Shakespeare |
| Born | 1 December 1983 |
| Origin | Kentish Town, London, England |
| Genres | British hip hop Grime Alternative |
| Occupations | Rapper, MC, poet, songwriter, author and revolutionist |
| Years active | 2004-present |
| Labels | Illa State Records |
| Associated acts | Ms Dynamite, Lowkey, Sway DaSafo, Sherif |
| Website | http://www.akalamusic.com |
Akala (born Kingslee James Daley, 1 December 1983) is an English poet, journalist, rapper and educator known most for his influence within hip hop music. Originally from Kentish Town, Camden, London, he is of dual heritage of Scottish and Jamaican roots, and his older sister is Ms. Dynamite. In 2006, he was voted the Best Hip Hop Act at the MOBO Awards.
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Contents
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Themes
Akala's lyrics focus upon social class struggle, social conditioning and alienation among the proletariat. Many[who?] see him as a force in the UK underground scene and a driving factor in a new generation of British Music that focuses upon disseminating ideas of real social change, while exposing harsh truth of the British and Western social systems, through his lyrics.[citation needed]
His knowledge is shared through his website, blog, articles on The Huffington Post and YouTube.
Live performances
In 2006 Akala was the first rapper to perform his own headline concert in Vietnam.[citation needed]
Akala has performed at UK festivals: V Festival, Wireless, Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Parklife and Isle of Wight and supported artists such as Christina Aguilera, M.I.A., Richard Ashcroft, Audiobullys, DJ Shadow, The Gotan Project and Scratch Perverts on their UK/European tours.
In 2008, Akala has also featured at the South by Southwest Music festival in Texas, as well as performances in New York, Los Angeles and in Brazil.
In 2010, Akala toured the UK with the Nas & Damian Marley Distant Relatives tour, which included the British rapper Ty. In November 2010, he also embarked on his own headline tour of the UK (20 dates).
In November 2010, Akala headlined a live performance at the British Library, to launch the Evolving English exhibition and featured performances by the British poet Zena Edwards, comedian Doc Brown and British rapper/activist Lowkey. The live event also included Akala taking part in a hip hop panel discussion alongside Saul Williams, US professor M.K. Asante and Lowkey. He was present at One Love:No Borders Hip Hop event held in Birmingham, England in April 2011, with Iron Braydz from London, Lowkey, Logic and other up and coming UK artists.
Use in other media
- The song "Roll Wid Us", was used in the British film, Kidulthood.
- The song "The Edge", from Its Not A Rumour, was used in the NBA 2K10' video game.
Discography
Albums
| Album Information |
|---|
It's Not a Rumour
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Freedom Lasso
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Doublethink
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EPs
Akala - Acoustic Remixes
- Released: 10 October 2008
Mixtapes
| Mixtape Information |
|---|
The War Mixtape
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A Little Darker
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The War Mixtape Vol.2
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Knowledge Is Power Vol.1
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Singles
- "Welcome to England" (2003)
- "War" (2004)
- "Roll Wid Us" (16 May 2005) - UK #72[1]
- "Bullshit" (24 October 2005)
- "The Edge" (featuring Niara) (10 April 2006)
- "Dat Boy Akala" (featuring Low Deep)
- "Shakespeare" (3 July 2006)
- "Bit by Bit" (17 September 2007)
- "Comedy Tragedy History" (2008)
- "Freedom Lasso" (2008)
- "Where I'm From" (2008)
- "Yours and My Children" (3 May 2010)
- "XXL" (2010)
- "Yours and My Children" (21 September 2010)
- "Find No Enemy" (31 March 2011)
References
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 18. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
External links
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Copyrights:
AMG AllMusic Guide: Pop Artists
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