Akala

Akala, a multi-faceted personality in the British music scene, has made his mark as a hip-hop artist, author, and activist. His career in music began with a bang as he was voted the Best Hip Hop Act at the MOBO Awards in 2006, the same year his breakthrough album "It's Not a Rumour" was released. He continued to make waves in the music industry with albums like "DoubleThink" and "The Thieves Banquet," and his tracks like "Roll Wid Us" and "The Edge" found their way into popular culture, being featured in the British film "Kidulthood" and the NBA 2K10 video game, respectively. Akala has also been a notable presence in live performances, having performed at major UK festivals and supported renowned artists like Christina Aguilera and MIA on tour.

Alongside his music career, Akala has been a prominent voice in discussions of race and class. His book "Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire" contributed to the discourse on systemic inequality, earning a nomination for the James Tait Black Literary Prize. He has delivered lectures on topics such as institutionalized racism and has been a guest speaker at universities like the University of Essex and Manchester Metropolitan University. His work in education has earned him two honorary degrees, one from Oxford Brookes University and another from Brighton University. He also released "Dark Lady" in 2021 and a children's book titled "Hip and Hop: You Can Do Anything."

With the founding of The Hip-hop Shakespeare Company, Akala has further cemented his commitment to bridging the gap between popular culture and education. This music theatre production company and his independent label, Illa State Records, provide a platform for creative expression and exploring important societal issues. Akala's influence also extends into political discussions, having been actively involved in the UK general elections of 2017 and 2019, as well as discussions about decolonizing the curriculum in educational institutions. His influence and contributions have earned him a spot on the Powerlist of the 100 most influential Black British people in the 2021 edition.