Since the release of critically acclaimed debut album ‘It’s Not A Rumour’ in 2005, 29 year old North London based MOBO award-winning rapper, producer, writer and entrepreneur Akala (aka Kingslee Daley) has become one of Britain’s most revered and respected MCs.
Offering an alternative to braggadocio and bling in Hip Hop, Akala has been heralded as ‘one of the very few UK spokespeople for credible hip hop’ (Time Out), while his music has been perennially lauded for being ‘Impassioned and articulate’ (Q). This, coupled with Akala’s reputation for stellar live performances, has seen him grace stages across the globe, (from Brazil to Vietnam to Australia).
After quitting a potential career as a professional football (playing for Wimbledon & West Ham under 18s) in order to pursue his passion for music, Akala’s first outing on wax was ‘The War Mixtape’, released by his own label, Illa State Records in 2004. Critically acclaimed debut studio album ‘It’s Not A Rumour’ followed two years later. The success of ‘It’s Not A Rumour’ led to Akala winning a MOBO Award for Best Hip Hop Act over and above the likes of Kanye West. Akala’s second album ‘Freedom Lasso’ and third album ‘Double Think’ were released in 2007 and 2010 respectively and both topped the iTunes Hip Hop chart.
When not wearing his hat as Akala the artist, Kingslee is busy running his independently founded and funded label Illa State Records and The Hip Hop Shakespeare Company (THSC). Illa State Records is a BT Digital Music Award nominated 360˚ music entertainment company with record label, touring and merchandise management and a video production arm. THSC, which was launched in 2008 by Akala (with the support of British actor Sir Ian McKellen) is a music theatre production company specialising in youth engagement education programmes, live music events and music theatre productions. THSC has since collaborated with Arts Council England, The Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Youth Theatre, British Council and London 2012 Olympics amongst others.
Hope you enjoy this exclusive from one of Britain’s brightest stars.
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