Akira the Don

Akira the Don
Background information
Birth name Adam Narkiewicz
Also known as Splash Thompson, Adam Alphabet, AK Donovan, A Zilla
Origin UK
Genres Hip hop, pop, indie, dance
Occupation(s) Rapper, Producer, DJ
Years active 2004–present
Labels Living In The Future (2009-2016)
Something In Construction (2004-2009)
Interscope (2005-2006)
Website www.akirathedon.com

Akira the Don (real name Adam Narkiewicz) is a British rapper, producer and DJ. Born in West Bromwich and raised in North Wales, for most of his career he has lived in Hackney, East London. Since 2014, he has been residing in Los Angeles.[1]

His music and production traverses the boundaries between pop, hip-hop, indie and dance. He lists influences including Ice Cube, Adam Ant, Morrissey, Big Bang, Leonard Cohen, David Bowie and the Wu-Tang Clan. His debut album When We Were Young was produced in collaboration with Danny Saber (U2, Black Grape), James Brown (Nine Inch Nails, Ash) and Emile (50 Cent).

Career

Rapper

In May 2011, he released his second LP, The Life Equation. The album is co-produced with Stephen Hague and features collaborations with Gruff Rhys (of Super Furry Animals) and Envy.[2]

In March 2014, Akira released A.T.D.R.I.P..[3] He played his final gig in London on May 19,.[4]

Producer

Akira has produced songs for a number of artists including two top forty hits for Lethal Bizzle,[5] along with songs for Newham Generals' Footsie,[6] Big Narstie,[7] Envy,[8] G-Mane, Littles, Marvin The Martian, Issue, and Time.[9]

DJ

In October 2014 Akira relocated to Los Angeles, where he formed the party rap duo MIDNITEMEN with long time collaborator and nightclub organizer Wade Crescent, and began DJing every week in Hollywood nightspots like The Roosevelt Hotel, Blind Dragon, Hooray Henrys and Bootsy Bellows. The latter is co-owned by David Arquette, for whom Akira provided accent coaching for the actor's role in a stage production of Sherlock Holmes.[10]

As resident DJ at Blind Dragon since its launch night, he has DJed parties for the likes of The Weeknd, Nylon Magazine[11] and Harry Styles.[12] He DJed for Justin Bieber at Hooray Henrys following his VMA's performance.[13]

Discography

Release Date[14] Title Release Type Additional Info
Sep 2004 Akira the Don's First EP EP
May 2005 AAA EP EP
Oct 2005 "Clones" (Featuring Bashy) Single (CD / 7") Samples Alice Cooper's "Clones"
Feb 2006 Five and a Half Songs About Love EP
Sep 2006 "Oh! (What a Glorious Thing)" / "Boom (Smash Stuff)" Double A-side single Featuring Why Lout?
Nov 2006 When We Were Young Album Debut LP
Dec 2006 All I Want for Christmas Is You (and World Peace) EP EP
Mar 2007 "Hypocrite" (Radio Edit) Single
Jun 2007 Stunners 130 Mixtape Featuring Wade Crescent
Feb 2008 Thieving Mixtape
May 2009 The Omega Sanction Mixtape Featuring Martin Carr
Oct 2009 I Am Not Dead (YEAH!) EP Featuring Gruff Rhys
Nov 2010 The Kidnapping of Akira the Don Album Featuring Joey2Tits
April 2011 Living in the Future [15] Compilation Album Tracks picked by fans.
16 May 2011 The Life Equation Album Co-produced and mixed by Stephen Hague.[2]
11 Sep 2011 "Babydoll" Single Featuring Chilly Gonzales on the Remix
19 Dec 2011 Saturnalia Superman: Akira the Don Salutes the Majesty of Christmas Album Revised edition released 17 Dec 2012
18 Feb 2013 "One More Pope to Go" Single
24 Jun 2013 "Games for the Thrones" Single Featuring Newham Generals' Footsie and Big Narstie
10 Jul 2013 "Ballistic" Single Featuring Darick Robertson on guitar. The official theme song for Darick Robertson and Adam Egypt Mortimer's comic Ballistic [16]
4 Mar 2014 "Rain in England" Single
11 Mar 2014 A.T.D.R.I.P. Album

Guest Appearances

Year Title Artist(s) Album
2005 "All The Wrong Places" Mothboy The Fears
2006 "Jerusalem" Bravecaptain Distractions
"I Can See Cities" Mothboy Deviance
"Down" Mothboy, Jeres, The Son Of King Rebel, & Soraya Mir
"Oh! (What A Glorious Thing)" My Super Ex-Girlfriend (Soundtrack)
"Oh! (What A Glorious Thing)" In The Hands Of The Gods (Soundtrack)
2007 "Diamonds" Big Narstie Hey It's That Fat Guy!
"Still"
2010 "Great Britain (Akira the Don Vs Joey2Tits Remix)" Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip Great Britain / Sick Tonight EP[17]
"Johnny Nemo" Mothboy Bunny[18]

External links

References

  1. ↑
  2. 1 2 "THE LIFE EQUATION". Akira The Don. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ http://akirathedon.com/blog/akirathedonlately/
  5. ↑ Lethal Bizzle - Back to Bizznizz | Akira the Don
  6. ↑ Footsie - End Of The Road
  7. ↑
  8. ↑
  9. ↑
  10. ↑
  11. ↑
  12. ↑
  13. ↑
  14. ↑ Music Archives | Akira the Don
  15. ↑ "Living In The Future: Preorder Now!".
  16. ↑
  17. ↑ Sick Tonight / Great Britain EP out now!
  18. ↑ Mothboy - Johnny Nemo | Akira the Don
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