About me
Vocalist, producer, label owner, exec, educator
A multi-disciplinary creative, Akara started his career as a commercial DJ - co-founding Platinum, a hip-hop collective, before producing electronic music as part of JammHot (with releases on Saints & Sonnets, Morris Audio & Dirt Crew Recordings) and alt-rap outfit Mickey Lightfoot (played: BBC Radio 1/1Xtra, Field Day, Great Escape, Afropunk festivals).
Fusing west-African instincts for groove with gospel-inspired vocals, this electronic hip-hop soul finally turned his hand to his first love: R&B singer-songwriting and had 2 BBC Introducing-supported singles.
His own alt-R&B/pop label OTOD soon followed, before 2020 saw a change in direction, leaning into his academic background, teaching rap performance at Westminster.
On the side he interned in audience development at AWAL (Sony/The Orchard) before landing a full-time role at Island Records and subsequently Universal Music Recordings, working on campaigns for Drake, Def Jam, Ariana Grande, Girls Aloud, Bob Marley & more
Teaching
A part time visiting lecturer from 2020-2024 (rap performance + music business modules) and permanent part-time from 2025
Research
Archival content on Black music in British culture: resurfacing, reusing and resharing