Akrobatik

Akrobatik is well known to those who follow underground hip hop... for good reason. Akro is one of the most distinctive MCs in a city known for its diverse hip hop scene. My first exposure to Akro (in 1999) was actually not through his music, but rather it was from his presence on the ughh.com message board. At the time, Akro had just come out with his "Say Yes, Say Word" single. Right off the bat, Akro struck me as a very mature guy and he set himself apart from some other prominent artists on the board because he always dealt with people straight up, never talked trash, and brushed off character attacks and hater tactics with aplomb.

Fast forward to 2003... over the past four years Akrobatik has racked up one full length LP, an EP, about 10 singles, and countless cameo recordings. Akro has worked with some of the finest artists and producers in the industry, including fellow Bostonians Guru, Ed O.G., and Mr. Lif. Akro is an accomplished freestyle emcee, and his commanding voice and penetrating delivery give you little choice but to pay close attention to his lyrics. But the bottom line is that Akro's aggressive spirit is largely focused on delivering messages of social awareness and self-empowerment. This interview was conducted via email in June 2003. Many thanks Akro!

Where are you from?

Boston, MA

Describe the scene in Boston.

The hip-hop scene in Boston is very segregated, much as the city itself. There are a ton of good lyricists, but the fight to stand out amongst the rest is an uphill battle for just about any emcee there. I'm a bit out of the loop as far as shows go, because I'm not at home as much anymore.

Who are some of the pioneers in Boston, past and present?

You have to mention Almighty RSO, Guru, Edo G., TDS Mob, Rusty the Toejammer, the Source Magazine, Top Choice Clique, Disko P. and the Fresh MC....Man, there's so many. As far as today, you got cats like Mr. Lif, KT, T-Max, 7L and Esoteric, Virtuoso, WERS 88.9, the Floorlords... Boston has always been rich with hip-hop culture, it just doesn't get glorified all that often on a worldwide scale. But things seem to be getting better now.

Compare the scene in Boston with other cities or countries.

Musically, I think Boston has as wide variety of lyricists as any other scene.

Who are the people in Boston that have given you support over the years?

I have the best group of friends anyone could ever ask for. These, along with my fans at home, are the people in Boston who have shown me the most support.

Who are some notable artists in the greater Boston / New England area?

Mr. Lif, Edo G., Kreators, Termanology, REKS, Virtuoso, 7L and Esoteric, Krumbsnatcha, Smoke Bulga, Rocklyn, Dre Robinson, MC Exposition, REKS, Ed Rock, Skitzofreniks, KT, DJ Fakts One (Perceptionists), D-Tension.... There are too many to really list. We got soldiers!

Could you give us a discography or a link to a discography?

Damn, that one's tough. Try www.detonatorrecords.com and then www.coupdetat.tv - if you check them in that order, you may come close to a full discography. I got mad joints out!

You definitely break the traditional emcee mold? Where do you place yourself as an emcee among the many styles and approaches? What emcees -- or non-hiphop people --have influenced you or been guideposts for your style/career?

I think that right now I am one of the few emcees out there that are getting light for having a positive message overall. It is very difficult to be an independent artist and have substance with your lyrical content and still get major love. It is a hurdle I have to jump every day in my career, and it can be very depressing if you let it get to you. But my main goal is to get in where I fit in, and enjoy the ride. Cats like A Tribe Called Quest, KRS, Gangstarr... Cats like that have given me faith that it's possible to do just that and have a fruitful career.

Have you gone to college?

Yeah, I did a semester at UMass and 2 and a half years at Northeastern, but I never graduated.

I remember being a regular visitor of the undergroundhiphop.com message board in 1999. Since then I don't check it out anymore. But back then there was a bunch of characters posting regularly, including many prominent artists such as yourself, and some ridiculous characters such as Budafett El Nougat Farmer, Icarus, and myself (instink). I remember you for having to deal with a lot of bullshit on the ughh board because of your prominence. What was that like for you? Do you still post? And what is your impression of Quest, and the site in general?

It was a cool forum to let some energy and thoughts out, but it wasn't that big of a deal to me. Just somethin to do. I only post on my own site now. Quest is great, and a very smart man for coming up with that site!

Considering the internet's revolutionary impact on hip hop and music in general, what are your feelings about that? Is it a good thing? What has changed in the rap game because of the internet?

I think it's great, although people can steal your music. The way everything is so monopolized right now makes it so that independent artists need the net as a way to compete market-wise. Although, a lot of music that should hit the streets doesn't quite make it there because of this same reason. It's a give-and-take thing.

You basically wrote the book on internet emcees or "keystylers" (or whatever they call themselves) which is a really strange phenomenon in my opinion. In spite of the pervading mediocrity, can anything good come from these sorts of creative forums?

That's just a way for people to pass time and share their expression. It's cool.

You have worked with a number of prominent independent labels. Tell us about your label experiences.

All I can say about that is you live and you learn. I have had the time of my life doing this rap shit, and I have everyone I have ever worked with to thank for that. And right now, Coup D'Etat is doing a fantastic job!

Have you been offered a major label contract?

No.

Would you ever consider a major label contract? And if so, what would be your conditions?

Sure, as long as the deal was favorable and I decide what I wear, write my own songs, and choose my own beats.

Who handles your production these days?

All types a cats. i got my man DJ Therapy, my man Fakts One, my Homey Ray Fernandes, D-Tension, Beatminerz, Diamond, Edan, all types of cats. I love music, so if someone plays me a piece I love, then I'm all over it. Expect to hear me over a 9th Wonder track (or two) real soon as well!

What do you look for in a beat?

Inspiration to write a song that will last forever.

Your super-collabo "Home" was a great homage to Boston. Tell us how that came about.

The Kreators and I have always had mutual respect for each other. They themselves are pioneers in the Boston rap game. I was definitely proud to be asked to rock on that jam with them. We made history with that one.

Push Button Objects is truly one of the finest and most progressive artists in hip hop. How did you hook up with Ed and what do you think of all the other collaborations he has done?

We have mutual friends over at Chocolate Industries. You are right about him, he's sick. The joint with Del and Lif and Craze is amazing.

Mr. Lif is clearly the other great, current Boston-area emcee. Tell us about your relationship with Lif.

Although we don't get to hang out as much anymore, he's probably still my best friend. He's the kindest person you'll ever meet. I vibe with him on some philosophical shit like I do with nobody else, so makin jams with him is dumb easy! And onstage I think we are unstoppable. We have each other crackin the hell up on the regular.

Is there anyone with whom you would like to collaborate?

KRS, Gangstarr, RZA, J-Live, Rise and Shine, Redman, Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill, Kweli, Mos, Little Brother...

Since you've worked with some of the finest freestyle artists around -- including Breez Evahflowin, Lif, and many others -- how much emphasis do you place on freestyling? What do you think of freestyle battles?

It's not a big deal. I love to freestyle for the crowd as part of my set. It's refreshing when someone can rile the crowd up off-the-top. I'm not feelin those March Madness rap battles. Too many variables keep them from being fair and most of them are really corny. Sometimes they can produce some legendary confrontations, though. I don't think it's a requirement of being a great hp-hop artist, though.

I interviewed Masai from Strict Flow about a month ago and he mentioned that neither he nor Sied drinks or do drugs. You have gone on record saying you don't drink. I guess this isn't as big of a deal in the hip hop community as not smoking pot (I saw Bus Driver basically get booed for saying he didn't smoke pot). What are your thoughts on substance abuse? Do you feel you are more productive/creative when you are sober? Do you ever toke up before shows?

None of that holds any significance other than the fact that I don't really like liquor because of the taste. A drink once a month or so is how I get down. As far as smokin, sometimes I don't even like the way it feels. I think the motion itself is just a habit-forming practice. Some good trees can help a long ride run smoother, or take the edge off a stress-filled day, but it's not mandatory for me to smoke to be able to get down.

Any thoughts on the current political situation in the U.S. and around the world?

Yes, fuck George Bush. He is a lunatic. Where are the weapons of mass destruction? I'm sure he's a nice guy in person, though. If murderous apathetic bastards can actually be called nice guys. Ya know? I bet he could talk some football, though.

Probably your most unique release was the "Live Freestyles" 12" single you did with Lif and Akbar. I remember hearing it and being completely blown away. Tell us about that one. How many copies were pressed?

Oh, that's Lif's record; you would have to ask him about the sales. It was definitely a great experience - but to be honest freestyle sessions like that jump off at a lot of our shows.

Any final thoughts? Comments? Shout-outs? Thank you's? F-you's?

Big up to the whole world. Eat as well as you can, and try to get some cardio in a few times a week! Oh, and buy my album please!

=)