Rapper, writer, and thought leader Akala joins us on Quartertones live at Sole DXB to talk about his early career steps in London, the city's unique blends due to its history, and his drive to connect with diverse audiences. He shares insights into the impact of colonialism and the importance of embracing shared cultural heritage from Shakespeare to his Jamaican influences. We discuss the significance of South-South solidarity and the changing nature of global power dynamics. Akala reflects on the complexities of identity, privilege, and the evolving cultural landscape in Europe. 

This episode was recorded live on the Sole DXB stage in Dubai on December 15, 2024. 

00:00 Introduction 

01:31 Akala's Early Career and Diverse Influences

02:07 Growing Up in Multicultural London

04:30 The Impact of Shared Struggles

07:27 Exploring Shakespeare and Cultural Ownership

13:16 Challenging Bias and Assumptions

15:28 Embracing Diverse Cultural Influences

16:43 The Unique Perspective of UK Hip Hop

19:35 Navigating Success and Global Perspectives

20:02 South-South Solidarity and Global Power Dynamics

20:51 The Complexity of Human Relationships

22:16 Class and Community: A Personal Reflection

23:36 Global Inequality and Historical Context

27:10 The Future of Global Relations

30:34 Concluding Thoughts on Privilege and Luck

Born Kingslee James McLean Daley in the UK, Akala is a British rapper, writer and activist. His stepfather was a stage manager at the Hackney Empire theatre, and he often visited it before his teens. His older sister is none other than rapper Ms. Dynamite (Niomi Arleen). In 2006, he released his debut album, It's Not a Rumour, which featured the single "Shakespeare" and earned him a hip hop award at the MOBO Awards. The following year, he released a second album, Freedom Lasso, which featured the track "Comedy Tragedy History," also inspired by Shakespeare. Akala's third album, DoubleThink , was released in 2010, followed by a mixtape titled Knowledge Is Power in 2012, and a fourth album, The Thieves Banquet in 2013. He has been included on the annual Powerlist of the 100 most influential Black British people in the UK, most recently making the 2021 edition. 

Connect with Akala 👉 https://instagram.com/akalamusic

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna

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Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns

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