Music / Reviews
Review: Akala, Marble Factory
British rapper Akala has been a refreshing blast of political intelligence on the hip-hop scene since he first started making his mark ten years ago.
Younger brother of Ms Dynamite he already had the inspiration there and a lot to live up to, and has managed that with a succession of sharp, incisive, lyrically astute singles and half a dozen albums. His presence on TV chat shows has shown what an erudite young guy and cultural commentator he is; someone who is rightly angered and knows his stuff and puts it across with clarity.
Tonight at Motion, as part of a tour to promote a new compilation album 10 Years Of Akala, that clarity comes over in the lively urban style and grit that was missing from a very different, acoustic set he did at the WOMAD festival this summer.
is needed now More than ever
There’s a vitality and passion here tonight, aligned with a mischievous sense of humour, which fits perfectly with Akala’s subject matter: racism, sexism, the evils of capitalism and war – his words spinning out at a dizzying rate, footage of himself and historical and not so historical political events and atrocities playing constantly on a large screen behind him.
Backed by a DJ and drummer he strides the stage, locks flowing, rhymes rippling, giving vent to some of his best stuff over the last decade. The power of numbers like Murder Runs the Globe, with the war footage in the background, and Malcom Said It, offset by forays into grime and his amusingly abusive character Uncle Pompous Peterson hurling insults at the audience.
There’s homage to the rap of Public Enemy, godfathers of this genre, with a version of their Night Of The Living Bassheads, but his own stuff, while informed by these and more, stands on its own in a combination of craft and righteous anger.
And talking of the latter he reacts with swift admonition when someone from the crowd throws a can of beer at him towards the end of his hour, threatening to “punch his lights out”. “Peace and love, but don’t take the piss!” he proclaims before launching into a change of number, the appropriate Don’t Piss Me Off…
As the political climate gets ever more worrying we need more Akalas, that’s for sure…
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