AKIR Maybe, it was the first concert he saw (Run DMC and the Fat Boys) or the first album he owned (Public Enemy) that sparked his creative flame for hip-hop. But, the turmoil in his early surroundings and his struggles throughout life is what ignited the hunger to later develop the artist "A.K.I.R.". The acronym and the promise to Always Keep It Real, gave him a name and a prophecy to live by. AKIR took life in Buffalo, NY and grew up throughout New York City, DC, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Atlanta, and Maryland, which is only partially responsible for his diversified sound and ability to "switch it up". The harsh realities of becoming a black man in today's world would prove to be his main catalyst. "They say that we're endangered species/AKIR's thesis/is to survive 10 x's 10/not in a 10 by 10/10 times out of 10 /they got a plan for my hard rocks to have not/ have babies and start again..." THIS IS YOUR LIFE. AKIR first entered the hip-hop scene as an on-air personality with WNMH 97.9 (Mass.) from 1994 to 1996. In 1998, he placed 2nd out of 50 in Howard University's Verbal Armageddon, emcee competition. He then guest appeared on DJ Arsonist's (Heat Makers) first mix tape release and, later that year recorded and co-produced AKIR's debut, The Manhattan Project. In effort to unite area artists he helped conceive and develop the New Breed Compilation that same year. AKIR sought to improve his musical talent and began to focus on production. Collaborating with his brother and business partner SOUTHPAW (formerly Ray Dogz of Daddy's House Recording Studios) he produced for Immortal Technique's (Unsigned Hype, Nov. '02), Revolutionary Vol. AKIR went on to appear on the "Got it Goin on" ,CD for ASHA in the beginning of 2002. Now prepared to try another album project, the Street Edition Vol. 1 CD was well underway. AKIR released his first single "Best Friend" on DJ N'finit's mix CD The BlockbusterVol. 1 (A One Enterprises Product). Within a matter of weeks AKIR's Street Edition Vol. and The Blockbuster Vol. 1 was distributed up and down the East Coast. Just before the New Year, AKIR completed Street Edition Vol. 2. The project was packaged and distributed as Street Edition Vols.1&2 and hopes to release Vol. 3 by June 2004. His recent accomplishments include a cameo and tour appearances for Immortal Technique’s Revolutionary Vol. 2, Live From The Block (a DVD showcasing DC artist) and, Den’D at the movies (a compilation of DC artist) In addition to AKIR's vast exposure to varied East Coast flavors, his lyrical influences include: the finesse of SLICK RICK, the mellow vibe and consistent originality of Q-TIP, the smooth delivery and GQ style of BIG DADDY KANE, the complexity and poeticism of NAS, the rapid fire flow and intensity of KOOL G RAP and, the lyricism of RAKIM.. "Fly/I'm nasty with the .... I be on /you just a pee-on/my name's in neon/embraced for eons..." CAN'T TOUCH HIM. AKIR's vocals are to say the least, persuasive, melodious and addictive even. His flow is compelling and vividly euphonic with lyrics that are a testament to hip-hop in its purest form. Volume 1&2 collaborates production from DJ Infinite (Beatblock), SOUTHPAW (First Step Productions), and AKIR (Mad Hatter Music). ONE LOVE...ONE MUSIC…ONE MOVEMENT… New AKIR Products: WWW/CAFEPRESS.COM/AKIR Career Highlights/Vital Stats Discography: AKIR: "The Manhattan Project," Manifest Media '98 DJ R'SONIST: "MixTape," Heatmakers '98 NEW BREED: "New Breed Compilation", One Enterprises '00 AKIR: "Always," Promo, One Enterprises '00 ASHA: "Got it Goin' On," Screw Records '02 AKIR: "Street Edition, Vol. 1," One Enterprises '02 (www.oneenterprises.com) DJ N'FINIT: "The Blockbuster," One Enterprises '02 NAPOLEON DA LEGEND: "World Conquest," N.D.L. '02 (www.napoleondalegend.com) AKIR: "Street Edition, Vol. 2," One Enterprises '03 (www.sandboxautomatic.com) IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE: "Revolutionary, Vol. 2," Viper Records '03 (www.immortaltechnique.com) LIVE FROM THE BLOCK: Live From The Block DVD (DC) '03 (www.livefromtheblock.com) BLOCK MONEY: Block Money The Album '03 WAX POETIC: Heavy Traffic 2 (Road Rage) '03 (www.waxpoeticproductions.com/wpfrPrd.htm) IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE, BREEZE EVAFLOWIN, BABBLETRON TOUR '03 D-EN-D: D-EN-D at the movies '04 NEW: Nostalgia (Coming soon) New AKIR Products: WWW/CAFEPRESS.COM/AKIR WARPED TOUR DATES Tue July 20 - Milwaukee, WI Marcus Amphitheatre Wed July 21 - St. Louis, MO UMB Bank Pavilion Thurs July 22 - Indianapolis, IN Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Lot Fri July 23 - Cleveland, OH Tower City Aphitheatre Lot Sat July 24th - Chicago,IL Tweeter Center Sun July 25th - Minneapolis, MN Metrodome Lot Mon July 26th - Kansas City, KS Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Lot Tue July 27th - OFF Wed July 28th - Atlanta, GA HiFi Buys Amphitheatre Lot Thurs July 29th - Orlando, FL Central Florida Fairgrounds Fri July 30th - Tampa, FL Vinoy Park Sat July 31 - Miami, FL Pompano Beach Amphitheatre Lot Sun Aug 1 - Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Fairgrounds Mon Aug 2nd - Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Lot Tue Aug 3rd - Virginia Beach, VA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Lot Wed Aug 4th - Washington, D.C. Nissan Pavillion Lot To read the latest interviews and review go to: WWW.PLANETSHINE.COM/AKIR www.epinions.com/content_140238556804 Other sites: WWW.STARPOLISH.COM/AKIR WWW.SOUNDCLICK.COM/AKIR WWW.INDIEUNIVERSE.COM/AKIR WWW.GARAGEBAND.COM/AKIR WWW.IC-MUSICMEDIA.COM/AKIR WWW.TALENTMATCH.COM/AKIR WWW.IDNMUSIC.COM/BANDS/AKIR.HTML WWW.ARTISTNOW.COM/AKIR WWW.INDIEWAVE.NET/ARTISTS/AKIR/ WWW.SOUNDGARDEN.COM/ARTIST/AKIR WWW.INDIE4EVER.COM/AKIR WWW.BANDS411.COM/AKIR WWW.LIVEBANDS.NET/AKIR WWW.EGYPTIANMANPRODUCTIONS.COM/AKIR.HTM WWW.BELGIUMMP3.BE/MP3/AKIR WWW.MP3.COM.AU/AKIR HTTP://MP3.WASHINGTONPOST.COM/BANDS/AKIR New AKIR Products: WWW/CAFEPRESS.COM/AKIR BUY CD AT: WWW.CAFEPRESS.COM/AKIR WWW.SANDBOXAUTOMATIC.COM BEAT STREET (BKLNY, NYC) HARLEM MUSIC HUT (NYC) FAT BEATS (NYC) CAPITAL CITY RECORDS (DC) SAM K's (DC) THE CD/GAME EXCHANGE [18TH & COL/ WASH, DC] DCCD [ADAMS MORGAN/ WASH, DC] DJ HUT [2010 PST N.W. 2ND FL /WASH, DC] MAD T'S [14TH & UST/ WASH, DC] THE CD/GAME EXCHANGE [FLORIDA AVE/SILVER SPRING, MD] THE MIXTAPE SPOT [FIVE POINTS MALL /ATL, GA]