AKA aims to conquer Africa

387 Musician AKA at Media Mill studios in Milpark. 191113. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

387 Musician AKA at Media Mill studios in Milpark. 191113. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

Published Nov 27, 2013

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AKA has finally set a date for the release of his second album. He spoke to Therese Owen about that and MCing the Channel O awards on Saturday night.

 

Should we place our order and then begin the interview, I ask South Africa’s favourite rapper, AKA ( pictured)?

“The interview has already started,” he smiles wickedly.

Yikes. Oh, okay.

My mind does a rewind. I arrived at Sticktainment Studios, which is in the basement of the trendy Media Mills office block in Milpark, Joburg, about an hour early.

The studio is sparse but has a creative, flowing feng shui vibe about it. AKA was in the vocal booth doing a photo shoot with Tonight photographer, Bongiwe Mchunu.

While chatting to engineer and producer, Sticky, about his work on AKA’s new album, Levels, Donald walks in, pleading with Sticky to accompany him on an urgent job. In the meantime, the shoot is wrapped up and AKA is smiling. But the mischievous side of him comes out when he sees Donald hustling his producer. AKA gives Donald territorial bite and the house singer looks somewhat intimidated. AKA is not letting up, however, and Donald tries to bite back. Nu-uh, I think to myself. You must never get involved in a sparring match with this rapper. You will lose.

AKA soon gets bored with his game and beckons to me. We are going for a late lunch around the corner to 44 Stanley which comprises expensive, arty clothes and furniture as well as cool al fresco restaurants.

We settle for an Italian restaurant on the other side. It has white linen serviettes with a fountain, flower- type thing in the middle.

The tall, tattooed rapper with his gold teeth strangely enough fits in perfectly with the elegant surroundings. This is because he is elegant. He oozes style and carries himself with confidence. It was clearly written in the stars that he would be famous and successful. This life was meant for him.

Watching him perform it is clear that the man is fitter than ever. He is even lighter on his feet which makes his unique dancing style even cooler and more effortless.

His success since his landmark debut album, Altar Ego, has seen him become a popular artist across Africa. This popularity will see him hosting the Channel O awards on Saturday in Kliptown, Soweto. The awards are to be broadcast live across Africa.

“I won my first Channel O award in 2011 for Best Hip Hop and two years later I am hosting them,” he says with a hint of his familiar arrogance. His arrogance comes naturally with his intelligence and self-confidence. It is just part of who he is.

He doesn’t suffer fools gladly but at the same time, that arrogance is rather self-effacing and is delivered with wit and genuine charm. It is what sets him apart from other artists. You know you are in the presence of a superstar.

So why then, does he want to share that limelight with other artists on his new album? Why can’t fans just enjoy AKA and only AKA?

“I am a fan of other artists, hence so many collabs on my new album. I want to learn from them and the time is right for collabs. I am not choosing just anyone. It has to be the right collabs, someone who can carry the aesthetics of this album.

“For instance, I have always wanted to work with (Mi Casa lead vocalist) J-Something. He is in a different world and I am excited about working in that world. I think I have reached the ceiling in this country.”

Oh no, does that mean he is going to do what so many other South African artists do – try in vain to find their fame and fortune in the cultural imperialist empire of America? His answer surprises me.

“I am not interested in the US. They know what they consume and they know what they want. I want to conquer this continent. I want D Banj status before Drake status. I am also interested in Europe. That’s where Goldfish and Tumi tour, but I have no interest in the States.”

Now I love him more.

“Oh, I finally have set a date for my release. It’s February 14 on Vth Season Audio Label… I think it’s a nice gift for my fans. If I had it my way I would give it away free. But I am not at that Prince level yet.”

AKA has a plan to add Levels to our lexicon.

“I came up with the concept while having a drink with Khuli Chana in Limpopo at a Freshers Ball. We were discussing the need for security at these events because they go crazy when they see us chilling in the car. There are levels that are needed. Then there are levels of love, levels of success, levels of how good this wine is (raises glass).

“I like the word ‘levels’. Imagine that I am at an ATM and this guy comes up and asks to take a picture and I turn around and say: ‘Dude. Levels’.”

I laugh at the concept as he explores other examples of using the word. Then he becomes more serious.

“I have absolutely stopped going out. I am still a human being and the only opinions I care about are those people I care about. It’s levels. I am so engrossed in music. How many bottles must you pop? Nothing good comes out of clubbing.”

He takes out his gold grill when the food arrives. “People gave me s*** for these teeth. South Africa has a culture of the underdog so people aren’t rooting for me like they did on the first album.

“This album started out as fun, but then I realised what a big project it is. I had to figure out what the people wanted and what I wanted to say to them. Then I discovered that what I have to do is elevate rap. I started believing in my passion, which is music. That’s why I want to bring two worlds together, hence collaboration.”

The album leans towards dance, but also has live instruments on many of the songs. AKA plans to use live instruments in his performances and will also incorporate lasers which he enthusiastically shows me on his smartphone.

But that is for next year. What about Saturday and his MCing of the Channel O awards?

“You cannot control me once the mic is on. But Channel O has great scriptwriters and I have great faith in the writers.”

 

•  AKA will be MCing with Kenyan Naeto C. The Channel O Awards will be broadcast live from 8pm.

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