About this Event

Akala



MOBO award-winning hip hop artist, writer, poet and educator ‘Akala’ is a label owner and social entrepreneur who fuses his unique rap/rock/electro-punk sound with fierce lyrical storytelling. Inspired by the likes of Gil Scot-Heron and Saul Williams, 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 ‘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 the British Council arts/music projects in The Philippines, New Zealand, Australia and across several countries in Africa and South-east Asia.



Akala is more recently known for his compelling lectures/seminars, journalism (The Guardian, Huffington Post UK, New Internationalist and The Independent), TV presenting and script-writing 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, African History, World History and the arts as a whole.



In 2009, Akala launched the ‘The Hip-hop Shakespeare Company’, a hotly-tipped 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 and The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Voice Director; Cicely Berry.



SATURDAY 21 APRIL



SWX BRISTOL

15 Nelson Street,

Bristol, BS1 2JY

Doors: 6:30pm

Age: 14+



Advance tickets available from:

www.alttickets.com

www.gigantic.com

www.bristolticketshop.co.uk