Words With: Akira The Don

In a galaxy far, far away… one man, one moustache and one hell of a varied taste in music resides. The man in question goes by the name of Akira The Don, not because he’s a member of the Italian mafia but because he’s one of the most inventive members of the hip-hop community. The norm isn’t even a part of his vocabulary; in fact his terminology contains a lot more than a few easily repeated words. Born in 1980, this ex-journalist believes his year of birth plays a big part in what he does these days. With so many artists choosing the 80’s as the decade to express their musical anguish, where does a young, impressionable and talented young man start? We caught up with Interscope’s diversely popular ‘Rap Morrissey’ and had him sit through the Gigwise inquisition.    

Gigwise: Before we get started, tell us exactly what particular category you would put your music in to?
Akira: "I’m not a great believer in categories, although they do make your life easier when writing about music, and when you’re arranging it in a shop. But in regards to actually doing it, categories are the last thing anyone should be thinking about. My music is just communication via noise. If I had to say it was any category I’d say hip-hop, just because you can talk about anything over any kind of music."     

G: With that said, who would you name as some of your major musical influences?
A: "I would say that Ice Cube was very important. I would then say Billy Bragg, The Smiths, the Wu-Tang, and Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine."

G: The punk band Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine?
A: "They were hip-hop really. I mean it was essentially spoken word, you know? They had a beatbox. They had a little samply thing and two guys basically. So the guy who played the guitar and did the samples was the DJ and Jim Bob, who played the guitar as well, was essentially the MC." 

G: OK, what about your grooming influences? Who gave you the idea for the Salvador Dali-esque moustache?
A: "I think the answer is in the question to a certain extent. When I was little, and I couldn’t grow a beard, I was just very jealous of men who had beards. So the type of moustache I would draw as a kid I now have. I got to the point when I could do one so I figured I would have a go, and it worked out. So I’m very happy with myself."

G: You’re actually getting a lot of shine at the moment. What do you credit that to, the music or the tash?
A: (Laughing) "I think it’s a combination of everything. British people love a good story, and I suppose there’s a story connected. You know? “Wow, home grown boy does stuff in America. Oh my god!” I mean the stuff I had previously released had been pretty DIY because I did it all in my bedroom, and this (“Clones”) was the first thing that I did in my bedroom, dropped it in to a studio and made it f**king really loud. To be honest I gotta give a lot of credit to Bashy as well because his verse on “Clones” is amazing. I’ve got my whole rambling shouty thing going on, but his whole verse is just this entirely audible and understandable poetry without being cheesy or anything."