Akira the Don
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Akira The Don | |
|---|---|
| Origin | UK |
| Genres | Alternative, Grindie, Rap |
Akira The Don (born Adam Narkiewicz) is an independent Welsh rap artist who has been featured on numerous websites including Newgrounds and occasionally on the radio (e.g. Bethan and Huw, BBC Radio 1). His look is very different compared to other sorts of rappers, as he looks more like a rockstar with his long blonde hair, and his Salvador Dalí-esque moustache. He was formerly a member of an underground rap group called Crack Village, where his name was Adam Alphabet. His music covers a wide variety of subjects, most of which being serious ones, such as failed relationships (Cut You In The Face), losing a close friend (Patrick), abortion (Dead Babies), Christianity (1 2 3 4 5 6 7) and politics (Genocide Is Coming To The USA, One Bullet, and Clones). The artist has attained an underground 'cult following' through regular updates of his website www.akirathedon.com and the now legendary ATD 'mix-tapes'.
He lists an eclectic selection of influences, including Ice Cube, Billy Bragg, Chris De Burgh, Morrissey (he claims himself to be 'The Rap Morrissey') and the Wu Tang Clan. His debut album When We Were Young (funded by Interscope) was produced by Danny Saber (U2, Black Grape) and James Brown (NIN, Ash) and Emile (50 Cent).
Some UK press quotes from reviews of When We Were Young:
- "a much needed protest album" 4.5/5 THE FLY
- "the link between daisy age rap and UK hip hop…lyrics full of meaning and emotion..a treat" 4/5 DJ
- "Brit-hop's saviour?" NME
- "Jarvis inspired rapped vocals…beatific orchestral pop" MOJO
- "passion, outrage, celebration, anger, love, nostalgia…a place where pop and politics wrestle playfully" 9/10 Drownedinsound
- "Utterly unselfconscious and uncompromising, dextrously playful, pummelling basslines, wistful lyrical foreplay and crushing pop hooks,, Akira is the sort of guy you either love or hate. You get the feeling though, that that's exactly how he wants it." 4/5 Playlouder
- "one of the best British albums of the year" 4.5/5 Gigwise.com
- "Don't settle for something that's been done a zillion times before. Buy Akira The Don, on all good stereos soon." Rapnews.co.uk
- "Akira The Don is bigger than Hip Hop…Lily Allen level crossover potential…an unexpected masterpiece" 4/5 Hip Hop Connection
He was formerly signed to the famous Interscope record label, but left when they decided his album was too politically sensitive to release - largely due to the track called "Thanks For All The AIDs". All his records thus far have been released through UK independent label Something In Construction.
[edit] Animated Videos
To coincide with releases of EPs and/or singles, sometimes a flash video is made and released on Newgrounds. These usually involve being drawn out by Akira and animated by his brother, Zef. The exception to this is Hypocrite, which is animated by Wonchop and features a large amount of his artwork as well as Akira's.
- Akira the Don's Drinking Song
- Living in the Future
- CLONES ft. Bashy
- Hypocrite Animated & Drawn By Ben Smallman with additional animation and art from Akira
[edit] Discography
- Akira The Don's First EP (2004)
- AAA EP (2005) features Akira's well known song 'Living In The Future'.
- Clones EP (featuring Bashy) (Oct. 2005) the main beat is lifted from Alice Cooper's 'Clones'
- Five And A Half Songs About Love (Feb. 14, 2006)
- Oh! What a Glorious Thing / Boom EP (Sept. 06, 2006) (Also features on the soundtrack of My Super Ex-Girlfriend)
- When We Were Young (Nov. 06, 2006) the debut album, featuring 'Back In The Day'.(Something In Construction) www.SomethingInConstruction.com
- All I Want For Christmas Is You (And World Peace) EP (Dec. 2006)
- Hypocrite (March 4th, 2007)
- 'Akira The Don's ATD mixtape series has so far reached number 14' (2004 - 2006)
