Akala - Knowledge is Power | London Real

BUSINESS ACCELERATOR - Open Now: https://londonreal.tv/biz/
2020 SUMMIT TICKETS: https://londonreal.tv/summit/

Akala is a British rapper, poet and journalist
FULL FREE EPISODE : https://londonrealacademy.com/episodes/akala-knowledge-is-power/
When you get the opportunity to sit down for 90 minutes with the English rapper, poet and journalist Akala, you'd better fasten your seatbelt and bring your passport because your destination is unknown.

Akala is probably the most well-read and historically-versed person I have met in my entire life. Whether he's breaking down the evolution of the Wu Tang Clan, discussing the socioeconomic implications of the British public school system, or discussing the history of slavery in Jamaica, he has the facts at his fingertips and constructs compelling arguments with incredible agility.

I kept thinking to myself "Is this what the late Christopher Hitchens was like in person?"

As I composed the video trailer above I was reminded how his performance art has spanned many genres from ballads to hardcore to spoken word. I can only imagine what Akala will be doing in the next 10 years but I believe it will be in the pursuit of making us all better understand each other and love one another. Peace to you.

Chapters:
00:00 Trailer.
1:25 Brian’s thoughts on the episode.
9:02 Brian’s Introduction.
11:00 Growing up in Camden and how it has changed.
13:44 Key factors which affected the life progression of members of his pier group.
18:06 Society is designed by the cultural appetites of the thinkers and maintained by the powerful.
19:22 Difference in expectations for public and state educated children. Benefits of the Saturday morning schools.
21:22 What attracted Akala into choosing music over a football career.
26:10 Football is very political.
28:07 Hip Hop went from history, philosophy and culture to money, cash and hose.
30:43 Choosing to maintain his integrity rather than aspire to commercial success.
32:38 From BBC Radio 1, the gate keeper, to a MOBO Award and the benefits of the internet.
38:54 Music industry notorious for scam deals with artists.
42:05 Independent marketing option for artists whose political message conflicts with agenda of music industry controllers.
44:39 Interaction between musicians and entertainers and power has always been there.
45:30 Akala’s association with William Shakespeare and why he finds him an interesting character.
50:39 The re-writing of history by the ruling power is very powerful.
55:27 Expressing his views influenced by his background and marvelling at cultural differences.
55:49 The UKs relationship with Jamaica, its culture and heritage.
1:07:13 Rastafari and Akala’s views on the Marley film.
1:11:10 Did the Marley film introduce the world to Rastafari?
1:14:01 The attraction of the Calabash International Literary Festival.
1:15:41 Visiting Jamaica and interacting with the culture.
1:17:31 Did Snoop Dogs visit to Jamaica do any favours to Rastafari?
1:20:32 The beauties and contradictions of Brazil.
1:29:00 Language is massively powerful. Akala argues against use of the N word.
1:35:37 How maturing to age 30 is influencing Akala’s behaviour and outlook.
1:14:31 Akala heading for America again after 7 years.
1:42:56 ‘It Takes More’ by Akala’s sister Ms Dynamite.
1:46:34 Advice to the 20 year old Akala.
1:48:56 Best advice he has ever received.
1:50:35 Advice to the young person wanting to get into the music business.
1:52:04 Next projects for Akala.
1:52:59 Brian’s summing up.

Notes:
Akala website
http://www.akala.moonfruit.com/
Akala on Twitter
https://twitter.com/akalamusic
Akala on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/akalamusic/
Akala music on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/user/AkalaOfficialChannel
Akala ‘Hip Hop and Shakespeare?’ TEDx talk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSbtkLA3GrY
Akala ‘The Evolution of Emcee’ TEDx talk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEOKgjoxoto
Akala on Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akala_(rapper)

People mentioned in this episode:
Jacque Fresco
https://londonrealacademy.com/episodes/jacque-fresco-the-venus-project-redux/
George Galloway
https://londonrealacademy.com/episodes/george-galloway-ready-to-die/
Neil DeGrasse Tyson
https://londonrealacademy.com/episodes/neil-degrasse-tyson-cosmos/
Irvine Welsh
https://londonrealacademy.com/episodes/irvine-welsh-trainspotting-skagboys/
Jon Ronson
https://londonrealacademy.com/episodes/jon-ronson-gonzo-journalist/

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://londonrealacademy.com/episodes/akala-knowledge-is-power/

Music "Cut & Run" & "The Complex" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

London Real Academy:
BUSINESS ACCELERATOR: https://londonreal.tv/biz
LIFE ACCELERATOR: https://londonreal.tv/life
BROADCAST YOURSELF: https://londonreal.tv/by
SPEAK TO INSPIRE: https://londonreal.tv/inspire
#LondonReal #Motivation