Akil Dasan

Akil Dasan doesn't just perform hip-hop, he embodies everything that hip-hop is, was and aspires to be. An African-Judaic blend of multiple ethnicities and cultures, Akil stands out from any crowd for an entirely different reason-he provides a blend of multiple talents: rapper, singer, guitarist, DJ, writer, beat-boxer and break-dancer. Influenced heavily by Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, The Roots, D'Angelo, Mos Def and Lauryn Hill, Akil combines jazz, blues, funk and classic soul with the neo-soul sound of today. And like Stevie Wonder, Akil plays all the instruments himself. On stage, he sits alone with a guitar, a sight that might make one expect the music of a subway performer. He first strums his guitar, using it to reminisce on funky blues.and then the beat hits. There are no drums. As whispers and wows fill the atmosphere, listeners realize that every sound is coming from the kid on stage. He's a human beat box as precise as a drum machine. Finally he lends his voice, smooth as Kimono silk. The beat keeps going. The guitar keeps harmony. The energy is undeniable. Akil Dasan's first album is a funk jam session with intricate flows and sweet vocals. Everything heard, from the bass to the singing, is Akil. This musical jack-of-all-trades began at age six when he learned to play the drums. That led to the piano, which led to the guitar, and finally the bass. At twelve, Akil joined the Philadelphia Boys Choir, where he traveled the world and developed his voice. His personal musical explorations led him from the Blues to Funk and Hip-Hop. At fourteen, Akil, Black, Native American and Jewish, joined, of all things, an Islamic rap group called the G-had Platoon. Soon after, he formed a group called L.M.ental, and Akil paid his rap dues free styling every day with a group of kids that included rap star Cassidy. Akil's positive, peaceful demeanor doesn't quite fit that associated with battle rappers, but as he says in The Jawn, "I'm just an ordinary person with a story/ Never wanted to battle but it came with the territory." His flow on The Jawn would wow any accomplished musician or Hip-Hop head, as he seamlessly oscillates from on beat to double-time, nimble as a young Charlie Parker. You could find Akil Dasan walking the streets of Morningside Heights, with a guitar slung over his shoulder, face hidden by a hoody. Akil is a reminder of Mississippi bluesmen like Robert Johnson, wandering the south with a guitar and an arsenal of stories. A thin, five foot eight slice of raw talent, Akil embodies virtually every significant musical movement from the early 1920's until now. Combined with a freestyle ability honed everyday since high school, Akil legitimately bridges the gap between musician and MC. Akil Dasan studied music and creative writing at Columbia University and has performed everywhere from New York City to London, including tapings for MTV and BET. He's been featured in magazines such as Marie Claire, worked with top producers like Mark Ronson, and shared the stage with major acts including Blackalicious, The Roots and Black Eyed Peas. If you want to find out what Akil's music is all about, you'll just have to hear it for yourself...