Akil Elijah Changes the Narrative with Rap and Storytelling

Akil Elijah is a Toronto-based rapper and storyteller. His love for arts started since he was a child. It is in Akil’s beliefs that rap is supposed to be expressive and tell different stories all while encompassing clever punchlines and Akil is known to do just that. Whether it be on a Trap, House, Dancehall, or R&B beat, you can find him pushing the envelope of what it means to be a skilled artist.

What first got you into music?

I would say the first means of getting into music was a direct stream through poetry. I’ve loved music and arts ever since I was a child and have always been influenced by dance visuals in music. From Missy Elliott to Busta Rhymes I’ve always been loved animation in rappers. It wasn’t until I was 15 that I started taking after the likes of Chance The Rapper, Nicki Minaj and J Cole to start writing my own remixes and music. Since then I’ve continued my career as an artist and have been developing my own style ever since.

Who are your musical inspirations?

My musical inspirations range but ever since I can remember I have been influenced by Nicki Minaj, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Notorious B.I.G, and Lil Wayne. At its root these are the people that have inspired me the most and from the beginning. As more artists continue to emerge and get successful I find myself inspired by more and more artists like Doja Cat and Chance The Rapper.

What do you hope to achieve in the next 5 years?

In the next 5 years, I will have started building my empire and impact as a rapper. With that, I hope to have reached a global level of musical success and to be recognized as not just a rapper but an artist with skills in visual and artistic direction to inspire a generation after me. Under all of this, I do want the accolades and recognition that come with success but most importantly I want the impact and influence.

What’s your ultimate goal in the music industry?

Honestly my ultimate goal in the music industry is to one day curate a successful tour and/or live show inspired by the Beyonce Coachella performance. Whether it be Super Bowl or Coachella I will solidify myself as a performer, entertainer AND rapper. Not just one without the other. 

If you were to start over your music career, what would you do differently?

I truly wouldn’t start anything over or make anything different. I’ve had so much growth and progression and everything I’ve made is a reflection of a different era that my art has been through.

Are there any social issues that you are passionate about? If so, would you like to share them?

In my art I want it to be most reflected that I am a mould to tearing down the stereotypes against black men. I want the world to realize that it is okay for black men to be multi-faceted and not subscribe to one specific way or style of living. I think it’s time for black men to start dealing back from this narrative to allow for more expressive music and performance art. 

Have you ever dealt with performance anxiety? If so, how do you deal with it?

I haven’t dealt with performance anxiety myself but I have experienced nerves to one degree another and I always let it handle itself naturally. I find that letting the nerves be and not focusing too hard on them is the perfect way to get over them. Once you start performing and you’ve practiced what you’re performing then I find that the nerves automatically turn themselves into adrenaline and it actually makes your performance a lot stronger. 

Do you have any hobbies outside of music?

Outside of music I love styling, fashion, editing, and graphic design. I’ve always loved making my own cover art plus editing my own videos so it comes naturally to me to create in any other way that I can. 

What is your favourite and least favourite part about being an artist?

My favourite part about being an artist is definitely the creative process of a music video thus leading to the outcome and seeing the production come to life. It’s always so amazing to me how I am able to execute things in such a way that I’m able to see it on a screen in front of me by the end of it all. I think it’s a true testimony to my visual direction and skills as a creator. As for my least favourite, I know it’s only temporary but still my least favourite, I would say it is just having to balance my time with my artist and non-artist life to make ends meet. I truly want to be at a place where my art is my job and I’m not using money from my job to create art. I know I will get there but it’s just a matter of time so I know that for right now that is my least favourite part about being an artist.

Which unique competitive qualities do you think you possess as an artist?

I am very competitive just naturally but I think what’s unique about my competitiveness is that I am only competitive with myself. I am always looking to outdo myself or compete with the people I look up to. I don’t find it any use to compete locally because that creates tension and aggression in the community I am trying to build with. Overall I just look at competition differently because I believe I am my biggest competition.

Is there any instrument you would like to learn and why?

As I develop as an artist I want to learn how to play piano and use the skills of music theory to produce and compose my own music and branch out to genres outside of rap. 

What is the story behind your artist’s name?

My artist name is quite simple because it is just my real first name and one of my middle names. I was inspired by Kendrick Lamar where I wanted two first names as my name but also I wanted something timeless. I didn’t want to use “Lil” or anything of that nature because there are few artists that are able to hold that name with longevity. 

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music industry?

The internet has impacted the music industry immensely. In the biggest way it has taken away a certain sense of music quality where we don’t have timeless records anymore. People don’t make music to last or withstand a billboard chart. Everything is just enough for a week of buzz and that’s about it. I think in some rights though it has made albums more sacred in the sense that artists who are able to make a cohesive body of work in a singles-dominated industry are proving themselves to be legend status.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

“What other people think of me is none of my business” This quote is so important as an artist because it’s so easy to get discouraged by the opinion of others but it's important to continue pushing through and creating no matter what.

If you were not an artist, what career would you choose?

If I was not an artist I would either be a teacher, youth facilitator or social media manager. Being a teacher and youth facilitator I would love because I think it’s so important to impact, inspire and empower the youth and if not through art teachers and youth facilitators are the perfect means to do so. As for social media management, I just love creating cohesive brands, looks, and images for people looking to present themselves as such.