AKAI SOLO has been unstoppable in 2024, carving "GRIP" into New York Hip-Hop's stone tablet with his latest album, DREAMDROPDRAGON . This year, he's delivered some of my favorite raps, and I have to admit- this writeup is long overdue. His April release, Only the Strong Remain , still proves itself to be one of the most important records of the summer, and it's time we gave AKAl the spotlight he deserves.
One of my favorite moments from AKAl's DREAMDROPDRAGON is in the third track "Who Up Next". Produced by common collaborator and DJ Wavy Bagels, this beat, at first, reminded me of the Chuck Strangers' beat for Navy Blue's "Running Sand" (Memoirs in Armour - 2024). However, as soon as Wavy Bagels introduced his drums, I felt like a fool for even thinking about comparing the two.The hi-hats made me swing my hips, the kick drum made me kick my feet out, and the snare made me bob up-and-down like a buoy in the ocean. I then realized I was doing a dance I hadn't hit since 2019 - I was damn-near Woo walking when AKAl hit me with one of my favorite bars of his:
"They tried to stop me but it was too late // Hit my shorty pussy proper popped it... had that bitch singing like Fousheé"
("Who Up Next" - DREAMDROPDRAGON - 2024)
The worldbuilding and thoughtful curation that AKAl puts into his music is so exceptionally special and well-defined that I can't help but keep revisiting. DREAMDROPDRAGON is narrated by Jordan Peterson's analysis of Sigmund Freud's 'Interpretation of Dreams'; Only the Strong Remain consistently makes specific One Piece references (among other anime) that gives his music an extra layer of detail. However, his team of producers and his beat selection is another trait that I love in AKAI. My favorite production seems to come from his core producer lineup which includes, but is not limited to, Wavy Bagels, TwentyFifthNight, Argov, and iblss.
However, my favorite producer combination with AKAl has been August Fanon. Songs like "CHAOS!" and "Post Dark" always stood out to me during AKAI's 2024 pennant run because of the way Fanon can personify his production to create his own character that sometimes encourages AKAI SOLO's introspective lyrics, and other times acts as a home-court advantage that activates and intensifies a new shade of AKAl's bold delivery.
"Smoking pack in the park // post dark, free thought //
Cause on nights like these // The wind is a tease, the crib is a cage //
Shorty and I not speaking will she still do my hair? // Clearly I'm worried about other stuff //
I was just attempting to lighten my mood // Beat came through now it's food served"
("Post Dark" - DREAMDROPDRAGON - 2024)
In September, AKAl performed at a concert + fine art gallery event hosted and curated by Loudmouth BK and That Good Sh*t at Olly Olly Market in Chelsea, New York. When we were putting together the lineup, (which included acts like Sideshow, Pink Siifu, Sol Chyld, and more), we were surprised and overjoyed about how eager AKAI SOLO was about performing. Then, his authenticity and comfortability on stage, as well as the banter with Wavy Bagels, succeeded in communicating to the audience that he handles his own music the same way as he would treat any other one of his favorite songs. Seeing AKAI interrupt his own set to rap along to a Lucki song made his inspirations more believable when I went home and relistened to "Baby & Lucki". It's always impressive when a recording can feel so distinct that it comes off as a live performance, or when an artist's live performance feels like a unique extension of their recording.
AKAI covers both sides of the spectrum because his performances feel as unique and personal as his music, and his recordings consistently capture the essence of his personality.
AKAl's unique style of Hip-Hop, the way he infuses his personality into his performances, and his clever wordplay followed by humorous punchlines make his music feel perfectly tailored for the listener to decide their preferred way to interact with his music.
