First Listen: AKIA

Atlanta based and Arkansas born AKIA, is someone who’s voice you’ll soon hear on all the popular Apple Music and Spotify playlists, as well as on your favourite DJ mixes.

She has recently signed to the label Since The 80s, home to Atlanta rap artists like EarthGang and JID, and has also

released a string of tracks like ‘Soft Girl Era’ and “F.a.f.o (Freestyle)’, but it is her latest one that has sparked this conversation as we got the chance to chat to AKIA about her latest single, and a wider conversation on how easy it is for paranoia and mistrust to appear when there is a lack of communication between someone and their partner.

“Atlanta is way more than I am used to. Where I’m from it’s small. We don’t really have anything. There’s a lot to do here [Atlanta], there is a lot of opportunities, you get to meet new people. It’s also great for networking.”

The initial reaction

Her new single ‘DND’ comes from her questioning why her partner has his phone on do not disturb explores R&B themes of mistrust, and the expression of desiring clear communication, her new single ‘DND’  allows her to package all that in an emotional deliverance of her own authentic sound.

“It’s kind of like R & Pop. Like R&B and Pop mixed together with a little bit of soul food seasoning”, she reveals after mentioning that her music inspirations include the likes of Beyonce, SZA, Keyshia Cole, Monica, Brandy and the Forrest City."

Artistic Perception

“DND’ really speaks for itself. It’s a part of Dumb Crazy Stupid, a project that I am putting out soon. And it stems from my own intrusive thoughts, which are expressed through my songs because everybody always has crazy thoughts but they don’t ever come out with them, so I just put mine into the music.”

“It’s sparked from one of those days when my man wasn’t answering so I just made a song. It’s just a me thing. I just hate being ignored or feeling ignored.

"It drives me crazy, it drives me to Jupiter actually. I’m thinking the worst! My body and consciousness are telling me one thing, and then I’m there overthinking. So just answer the phone and I’ll be okay, that’s all he gotta do.

"I feel like it’s relatable because all girls are crazy about their man and every girl wants their man to answer on the first ring."

Visuals

The accompanying music video to ‘DND’ sees AKIA, sat in the hairdresser, getting her hair down whilst attempting to call her partner. The visuals shot, in the space suggest that outside stresses and problems are finding their way into a space predominately known for it’s self-care.

Listen here