Akala received accolades for his appearance on Good Morning Britain, when he discussed why he thinks racializing knife crime is ineffective.
The British poet, hip hop musician, and author has discussed the peril of referring to knife crime as “a black problem” on numerous occasions.
Who is Akala?
Raised in a working-class family in North London, Akala was exposed to a diverse range of music and culture from an early age. He started writing poetry and rapping in his teenage years, and in 2003, he released his debut album, “It’s Not a Rumour” which received critical acclaim. He went on to release several more albums and EPs, including “Freedom Lasso,” “Doublethink,” and “Ten Years of Akala.”
In addition to his music career, Akala is also a respected writer and educator. He has written two books, “The Dark Lady” and “Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire,” and has contributed articles to various publications. He has also delivered lectures and workshops on subjects such as education, history, and race.
Akala is a vocal advocate for social justice and has used his platform to speak out against racism, injustice, and inequality. He has been recognized for his contributions to music and education, winning multiple awards and accolades, including the MOBO Award for Best Hip Hop Act in 2006 and an honorary doctorate from Oxford Brookes University in 2018.
With his combination of intelligent lyrics, passionate delivery, and musical versatility, Akala stands as one of the most important voices in British music and culture today.
