Akala

7:45pm, Saturday, Into The Wild

One of the most unique, creative hip hop artists to come out of the UK in recent years, driven by a social conscience and a unwavering eye to challenge stereotypes and expose the harsh reality of western urban black culture and beyond. MOBO award winning Akala is an incredible rapper, with a fierce lyrical storytelling (think Wu-Tang Clan and Aphex Twin meets Rage Against The Machine) that has been very powerful on three albums so far including It's Not A Rumour (2006) and Freedom Lasso (2007).

Latest record, the convention-defying album DoubleThink (2010), Akala has proven himself as one of the most dynamic and literate talents in the UK. Inspired by the likes of Saul Williams and Gil Scott Heron, Akala has also developed a reputation for stellar live performances with his drummer Cassell 'TheBeatmaker'. Partnering with the British Council promoting British arts across the globe including Africa and Vietnam (he is the first rapper to perform a live concert there). Akala appeared on Billy Bragg's excellent Leftfield in Motion Tour last November along with King Blues. His older sister is Ms. Dynamite.

Akala founded Hip Hop Skakespeare, an non for profit performance organisation who will also be performing at the festival.

Official Website

http://www.akalamusic.com/

MySpace

http://www.myspace.com/akalamusic

Twitter

http://www.twitter.com/akalamusic

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/akalamusic