Akir 3392321 182873930 2008-01-08T02:44:30Z 69.156.156.141 {{Infobox musical artist 2 |Name = Akir |Img = |Background = solo_singer |Birth_name = |Born = |Origin = [[New York City]], [[New York]] |Genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]] |Years_active = [[2003 in music|2003]] - Present |Label = [[One Enterprises/Viper Records & BabyGrande/Koch]] }} '''Akir''' is an African-American rapper and [[Hip-Hop]] artist popular for his dense lyrics and politically aware content. His pen name is an acronym for "Always Keep It Real". He is also the CEO/co-owner of One Enterprises, Ltd (a Production company he owns with business partner [[Toure "Southpaw" Harris]]). In February 2006, One Enterprises, Ltd & [[Viper Records]] in partnership with [[Babygrande Records|BabyGrande]]/[[Koch Entertainment LP]] Re-released Akir's second album ''[[Legacy (Akir album)|Legacy]]'' executive produced by [[Immortal Technique]]. ==History== Legacy Re-Release---- One Enterprises & Viper Records joins with BabyGrande/Koch Akir first entered the hip-hop scene as an on-air personality with [[WNMH|WNMH 97.9 (Mass.)]] from 1994 to 1996. In 1998, he ranked 2nd out of 50 in [[Howard University|Howard University's]] Verbal Armageddon, MC competition. Akir sought to improve his musical talent and began to focus on production. Collaborating with his brother and business partner Southpaw, he co-produced for [[Immortal Technique]]'s debut album ''[[Revolutionary Vol. 1]]''. Soon after, Akir released his first single, "Best Friend", on DJ N'finit's mix CD, ''The Blockbuster Vol. 1'', through his own production company, One Enterprises. In November 2005, Akir and 10 other up and coming emcees formed the group The Reavers, and released the album ''Terror Firma''. Soon after, One Enterprises and [[Viper Records]] joined to release Akir's debut solo album, ''Legacy''. Soon after the release of ''Legacy'', Akir received [[The Source (magazine)|Source Magazines]] "Unsigned Hype" award in the Jan-Feb 2005 issue[http://www.publicwizardinc.com/images/akir_unsignedhype_feb05.jpg] and "Off The Radar" spotlight in the April 2006 issue.[http://www.publicwizardinc.com/images/akir_offtheradar_apr06.gif] Other notable publicity has been receiving [[XXL (magazine)|XXL Magazine's]] "Chairmans Choice" in the October 2005 issue[http://www.publicwizardinc.com/images/akir_chairmanschoice_oct05.jpg] and "Show and Prove" spotlight in the June 2006 issue.[http://www.publicwizardinc.com/images/akir_showandprove_june06.jpg] In 2006, Akir appeared as a model for Mecca 5star apparel, appearing in ad campaigns in magazines and billboards.[http://www.publicwizardinc.com/images/akir_mecca.jpg] Akir has completed two international tours (Rock The Bells 06&07,[[Warped Tour|Vans Warped Tour]], Fort Minor 06), 7 domestic tours and over 200 shows. He has performed with a variety of acts such as: [[Nas]], [[Kool G Rap]], [[Mos Def]], [[Styles P]], [[KRS-One]], [[Ghostface Killah]], [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]], [[Talib Kweli]], [[Saigon (rapper)|Saigon]], [[Dead Prez|dead prez]], [[Little Brother]], [[Jean Grae]], [[Masta Ace]], [[Wordsworth (rapper)|Wordsworth]], [[Vast Aire]], [[Brother Ali]] and [[Immortal Technique]]. Additionally, Akir has had involvement with the [[Flocabulary]] project. ==Discography== {| class="wikitable" ! Album cover ! Album information |- | <!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:Akir Legacy Cover.jpg|left|120px]] --> | '''''[[Legacy (Akir album)|Legacy]]''''' *Released: March, 2006 *Label: Viper Records/One Enterprises |} ==External links== *[http://www.myspace.com/akir Akir's Official Myspace] *[http://www.viperrecords.com/ Viper Records] *[http://www.hiphopwarreport.com/ One Enterprises & Paysir Music Group's podcast network] * [http://www.dcahiphop.com/ DC area hiphop page] ==See also== *[[Immortal Technique]] *[[Dead Prez]] [[Category:American rappers]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] [[ar:أكر]] [[an:Akir]] [[es:Akir]]