Akira the Don

Infobox musical artist
Name = Akira The Don


Img_size = 200
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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Adam Narkiewicz
Alias = White Mike, Adam Alphabet, AK Donovan, A Zilla
Born =
Died =
Origin = UK
Genre = Alternative hip hop, Grindie, Hip hop
Occupation = Rapper, Producer
Years_active = 2004–present
Label = Something In Construction (2004-present)
Interscope (2005-2006)
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.akirathedon.com/ www.akirathedon.com]

Akira The Don (born Adam Narkiewicz) is an independent Welsh raised rap artist who has been featured on numerous websites including NewgroundsFact|date=October 2007 and occasionally on the radio (e.g. Bethan and Huw, BBC Radio 1)Fact|date=October 2007. He was formerly a member of an underground rap group called Crack Village, where his name was Adam Alphabet. His music covers a wide variety of subjects, most of which being serious ones, such as failed relationships ("Cut You In The Face"), losing a close friend ("Patrick"), abortion ("Dead Babies"), Christianity ("1 2 3 4 5 6 7") and politics ("Genocide Is Coming To The USA", "One Bullet", and "Clones").

He lists an eclectic selection of influences, including Ice Cube, Billy Bragg, Chris De Burgh, Morrissey (he claims himself to be 'The Rap Morrissey') and the Wu Tang Clan. His debut album "When We Were Young" (funded by Interscope)Fact|date=October 2007 was produced by Danny Saber (U2, Black Grape) and James Brown (NIN, Ash) and Emile (50 Cent).

He was formerly signed to Interscope record label, but left when they decided his album was too politically sensitive to releaseFact|date=October 2007 - largely due to the track called "Thanks For All The AIDs". All his records thus far have been released through UK independent label Something In ConstructionFact|date=October 2007.

He is currently working on his second LP and, following a live collaboration with Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals and a successful remix of a song by Gonzales, he has confirmed that both men will contribute to the new album. [ [http://www.culturedeluxe.com/news_item.asp?id=4157 CULTUREDELUXE - Akira the Don Gets Nostalgic - Again!] ]

Animated Videos

To coincide with releases of EPs and/or singles, sometimes a flash video is made and released on Newgrounds, of which four have been released so far. These usually involve being drawn out by Akira and animated by his brother, Zef, who also helps with site design. The exception to this is Hypocrite, which is animated by Wonchop and features a large amount of his artwork as well as Akira's.

Production

In 2007 Akira started producing for other artists - he contributed three songs to Lethal Bizzle's Back To Bizznizz albumFact|date=October 2007, including the single Babylon's Burning The Ghetto, the Clash sampling Police On My Back and Reminiscing. He has also produced songs for Mister Lacey, Envy, Mary Turner, 3RD ROK and Black Piranhas.Fact|date=October 2007 Akira rapped and co-produced a track called "Bang" with Temposhark in 2008 which appeared on an XLR8R magazine covermount CD.

Discography

*Akira The Don's ATD mixtape series has so far reached number 16 (2004 - 2008)

Guest Appearances

External links

* [http://www.akirathedon.com/ Akira The Don's official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/akirathedon The Akira The Don Myspace Profile]
* [http://www.musictowers.com/features/ViewArticle1914.aspx MusicTowers.com interview Akira the Don]
* [http://www.thebeatsbar.co.uk/ccinterviews/akirathedon.html CMU's Chris Cooke interviews Akira the Don for The Beats Bar - thebeatsbar.co.uk]
* [http://akdonovan.newgrounds.com/ Akira the Don's Animated Videos on Newgrounds.com]

References