BAFTA and MOBO award-winning hip hop artist, writer/poet and historian ‘Akala’ is a label owner and social entrepreneur who fuses unique rap/rock/electro-punk sound with fierce lyrical storytelling. Inspired by the likes of Saul Williams and Gil Scot-Heron, over the years Akala has developed a stellar live show with his renowned drummer/award-winning music producer Cassell ‘TheBeatmaker’ (Plan B, The Streets and Keziah Jones) headlining 6 UK tours as well as touring with the likes of Jay-Z, Nas & Damian Marley, M.I.A. and Christina Aguilera to Siouxsie Sue, Damon Albarn’s (‘Blur’/Gorillaz’) ‘Africa Express’ and Richard Ashcroft, appearing at numerous UK / European and US festivals (Glastonbury, Big Chill, Wireless, V, Hove and SXSW) as well as collaborations with British Council arts/music projects across several countries in South-east Asia, Africa, The Philippines, New Zealand and Australia.
Akala is more recently known for his compelling lectures/seminars, journalism (Guardian, Huffington Post UK and the Independent), TV presenting and script-writing talents and has gained a reputation as one of the most dynamic and literate talents in the UK. Akala has also featured on numerous TV programmes across Channel 4, ITV2, MTV, Sky Arts and the BBC promoting his music, poetry as well as speaking on wide ranging subjects from music, youth engagement, British / African-Caribbean culture and the arts as a whole. In 2009, Akala launched the ‘The Hip-hop Shakespeare Company’, a music theatre production company which has sparked worldwide media interest since its inception.
Previous clients/collaborators include: BBC, Mastercard, London 2012, First Direct Bank, The Barbican, The Roundhouse, The Southbank Centre, British actor; Sir Ian McKellen, singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran, actor/musician; Colin Salmon, Ms. Dynamite and The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Voice Director; Cicely Berry. In 2019, Akala’s The Dark Lady will be published by Hodder Children’s Books, part of Hachette. It is set in a “magical realist Shakespearean time which brings to life the vibrant, visceral, violent and adventurous world of the Renaissance”.
Akala has graced the TV screen numerous times throughout 2018 with a notable highlight being Akala’s Odyssey which aired on BBC Four on Sunday 18th February and followed his voyage across the Mediterranean and beyond as he delved into some of the mysteries behind Homer’s monumental poem, the Odyssey. Akala Presents: The Ruins of Empires was another highlight where Akala performed an abridged version of his epic poem of the same name and a personal interpretation of history as told through the ‘knowledge seeker’. He’s also made an impactful appearance on BBC Question Time. Not confined to television, Akala gave memorable interviews on BBC 5 Live and the Unfiltered Podcast with James O’Brien.
In 2020 Big Picture Press, an imprint of Templar Publishing will publish Akala’s first non-fiction children’s title, the first of a 3 book series. It is an illustrated history of human brilliance and achievement, particularly bringing to light a truly global context to untold or neglected stories onto a level playing field with traditional curriculum topics. In 2018, Akala received Honorary Doctorates from Oxford Brooke’s University and the University of Exeter. He speaks brilliantly on a variety of topics, from the relations between music and modern media to literature, education and social issues, using his vast historic knowledge and personal experiences.
How to hire Akala
Contact the Champions Speakers agency to provisionally enquire about Akala for your event today. Simply call a booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at agent@championsukplc.com for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
When he's at corporate events, Akala's official speaking topics are:
- Africa in history - Prezi seminar: overview of pre-colonial African civilisations/societies from 20,000BC to 1500AD
- The Haitian Revolution - overview/exploration of the only successful slave revolt in human history, during which enslaved Africans defeated the armies of Britain, France and Spain
- A history of Black Britain
- Black people of the Americas - exploration of the legacy of slavery and colonialism across the Americas from Canada to Brazil including the Caribbean
- Black people in science: ancient and modern - explores the contributions of black people to science and technology throughout history
- Race, class and imperialism
- THSC talk - hip hop and Shakespeare: an overview and exploration
- History of hip hop - the evolution of an emcee - overview of oral traditions, musical, cultural and political movements that have contributed to the evolution of emceeing so far
- Music industry and production master class
- NATIVES - talk about Akala's new book
- The power of education
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the temporary halt of live events, Akala has been attending virtual events. See the feedback that he received from attendees below:
"As a Citi employee I’d like to thank Akala for speaking last week. I learned a great deal and am extremely grateful." - James, Citi Bank
