AKA’s Alter Ego Listening Session
June 20, 2011 by Toniice
AKA has a big ego or rather arrogant, but can he back it up? Well my question was answered at his album listening session at Icon in Sandton.
Ukuphapha, we got to the venue early, well exactly on time but we were told AKA was still rehearsing. We had to wait at the door, imagine uGatsheni ngomkhaba waiting at a club door.
When we finally got in the clubm the DJ was playing old skool hip hop and RnB. I saw Hansa banners around and knew I was home but to my disappointment there was no Hansa in sight. I nearly had a minor heart attack, having buy my own booze. The listening session started an hour later than scheduled and only then did the Hansa start flowing, thank Gaaaaaad .
Looking fresh, AKA sat on the stage greeted and asked Tibz to bring him a double of Jameson and appletiser. He introduced his first song featuring Zimbabwean artist Buffalo Soulja and the track is really sounding great. I forgot the titles of the songs played (Why didn’t the organizers provide a tracklisting?).
There’s also a song that he said he dedicated to the Khanyi Mbau type.The song is just nje. The track featuring Khuli Chana is gonna be big, Khuli held it down.
Other songs that were played didn’t grab my attention. He perfomed “All I Know” and that was the end of the listening. The sound was terrible though, I couldn’t hear the songs played properly.
It was also the launch of his new video for All I Know and the video looks great, the quality is on another level.
A lot of his industry peers came to show love .I spotted Deep Level,Sphectecula +Naves ,Bongani Fassie but my questions to the organizers, was the listening session meant for the public, media, compilers or buyers? I saw many groupies there.
My thoughts about AKA ‘s upcoming album.. Alter Ego: The production is good, the songs sound dope but can he back up his big ego? No! He still has a lot to learn.
Thanks for the free booze
By Toniice ©
Sasha22 on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 12:38 am
Poor Guy if only he knew how his girl Sihle been ran through by every guy in da industry !!! Groupie love lol heehhee
TPZ on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 2:07 am
Loved Victory Lap,dope song.Haven’t heard All I know though.I want it all with Pro and Khuli Chana was also anther nyc one.Can’t believe I ddnt knw about him before twitter though*shrugs*As for his ego I don’t knw,also think some people push him a lil though.Just today on twitter he made a comment about hw hs Kanye’s biggest fan and some people just talked nonsense nje.I think he can back up his ego,for now.
mousa on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 5:31 am
I luv AKA and his big ego! #thatsall
Cherrie on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 5:44 am
Well according to people on Twitter,he is a male version of Nonhle Thema!LOL
Brown Shuga on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 7:02 am
Sasha what’s that got to do with the Listening Session?
Bea_Pushy on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 7:15 am
Can’t wait to see the All I know vid, and hear the track with Buff!
I say Keep the hits comin!
@JoneighGLOBAL on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 7:27 am
Bathong!!! *snaps fingers* How does that influence his writing skills, stage presence & his craft? The man is entitled to date whomever he feels is good for him. It still early in the morning to stir controversy. *doctor doctor sasha22 needs a morning chill pill*
Majesa TheUntouchable on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 7:36 am
Toniice for once you and me agree on something musicaly related. Out of fear of Ntsiku & her fans quickly classifying me as a hater I will just say, work harder AKA.
Mr Majesa Haaiwaane
“No famouse last words”
Zeal on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 8:01 am
I’m not really a hip hop head, but I think he has potential, he just needs to understand that Rome wasn’t built in a day!!
fabulicious on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 8:08 am
@Zeal- true
zeepo_B on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 8:12 am
i cant wait to see the vid…i agree with Zeal, he does have potential…but makathobe i speed. *smh* sasha
Nokxie on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 8:12 am
Ngathi all his super songs feature Khuli in the mix
i.e I want it All
Mmaditaba on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 8:29 am
@Zeal true.. Twitter on the other hand likes bulldozing on people. If AKA has an ego so what? Let him have it cause according to me he can back it up. Tweeps must just SIT DOWN.Especialy the bullies ,they always tryna look for prey.
Lady gaga on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 9:09 am
@Zeal#nuffsaid
cijimpi on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 9:36 am
theres a difference between being Arrogant and Confident..
i think AKA is Arrogant, and its too early in the music industry for that sort of attitude..
i was going 2buy his album (just to support SA artists),
however i will opt for Phelo B..for now.. my Questions:
1. why did you charge 100 bux for the event anyway?
2. the Listening Session (since it was Tibs/showlove/IV leagues first 1, i’ll be easy) however, the point of such sessions is to invite MEDIA (they will then tell the general public what they thought of the album), in fact, having 5 influential MEDIA houses/people is better than a club full of 100 yellow bone groupies, who will not even buy the album!!
TIBS + CO, i like what you are doing..
but CIJIMPI begs off you, teach your boy to be Humble, be Friendly..at the end of the day, us fans buy your music!!
Cherrie on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 10:01 am
“theres a difference between being Arrogant and Confident..
i think AKA is Arrogant, and its too early in the music industry for that sort of attitude.”
Well said Cijimpi…
lbg on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 10:16 am
I feel sorry 4 the show hopfuly the disc will b gud any way I dnt really listen to hip hop but AKA iz yummy if only I can get him in a dark alley hm
Miss Thang on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 10:21 am
Nice 1 @Toniice LoL i beer uyithanda kabi. AKA is a bit arrogant he must check the likes of P.R.O been in the industry 4 ages and yet remains so humble. is AKA colored or what?
Luyah on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 10:34 am
i dont understant why ppl say the guy is arrogant, i follow him on twitter and he hasnt said anyhting that sounds arrogant. anyway i love his songs so far, i thnk i might actuali buy his CD, also cant wait for the video. @Miss Thang i think he is, but id also like to know
cijimpi on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 10:42 am
@MissThang, yes he is coloured
@Luyah, just becos he doesnt sound arrogant on twitter doesnt mean he is not.. i have met the guy, he is rude!!
i bet you have not listened to his radio interviews!!??
KevCare on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 12:02 pm
Guys…the way i see it, AKA isn’t trying to be the new Jesus! I think the “arrogant” persona is exactly the package he’s trying to put out there!!! I dnt knw the man personally but i bet the person we see on stage & in clubs, is not the guy who chills wit his true friends!
Aka sells his “arrogance” from the beginning…not by mistake like some “Hollywood” lady who sold us the “im a nice girl” image kante shez false arrogance personified!!!!
He’s a MUSICIAN….not a personality coach!! In my opinion, his music is good!! “Modern” HipHop but with some “South Africaness” its not a TOTAL ripoff of USA rappers like other cliques!!
SassyOne on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 12:33 pm
AKA as a mrapper is OKAY! He makes radio hits,smart move in his camp. That will ensure sales and booking for days!!! But AKA as an emcee,nope. Kid is average,average lines,wordplay and rhymes! Killer beats though… Nice one on Buks part. In regards to his ego,again its all about publicity. Any publicity is GOOD publicity. He’s basically jacking Kanye’s swag… Dude idolizes Kanye. Will it work? I think it will for his debut album,but not sure about longevity. Even Kanye has stopped the ‘arrogant’ thang,its cute for 5 mins and AKA must learn that!
TheSushiQueen on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 12:52 pm
“100 yellow bone groupies, who will not even buy the album!!” hayi bari kenela yong hahaha! Why the need to describe their skin colour though?
What this obsession some men have with Yellow bones? This ‘YELLOW BONE” is becoming a dirty word..
Strolicious on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 1:05 pm
double of Jameson and appletiser
Fezzy on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 1:05 pm
Thank God Im not a yellow bone
LuvTerry on Mon, 20th Jun 2011 3:01 pm
He is coloured ! I lovvvvee AKA ,can’t wait 2get the album
impartial on Tue, 21st Jun 2011 1:16 am
I like AKA’s music,so far the tracks I have heard are quite good,production wise they are absolutely on fire!Tibs & the rest of the team behind him are doing a fantastic job in getting him out there.I probably am going to get the album.
1 thing South African personalities need to understand is that jus because u’v got a bunch of chikitas going crazy over u @ The Bank & Latinova,the whole country is going to show u groupie love.Nope,it doesn’t work like that!AKA IS arrogant & believe u me this arrogant persona he’s portraying won’t really move that album off the shelves.So a slice of some humble pie wont give him stomach cramps.
Guguvacu on Tue, 21st Jun 2011 9:30 am
The boi is talented but he needs to slow down a bit, he ain’t achieved nun yet
Luyah on Tue, 21st Jun 2011 10:36 am
@ Cijimpi i have listened to a few, but i wont argue with u if u have met him in person.
Mr_Dezzel on Tue, 21st Jun 2011 10:59 am
You know like juju says “you a small boy”. This kid still needs to learn.follow on twitter
Curvy on Tue, 21st Jun 2011 1:00 pm
Aka has potential neh and I like him, but let’s be honest, artists also have managers/PR teams. I think he was influenced kutsi abe na this Ego/Arrogance…ningangishayi, just my thoughts