AKA on docu-series plans, the SneAKA, DJ Zinhle influencing Levels' sound, All Eyes On Me & Rap Beef

Helen Herimbi presents: i(m)bali LIVE featuring AKA.

For the first i(m)bali LIVE of 2020, South African musician, AKA, spoke to the music journalist in front of a live audience. They discuss:

How his parents named him Kiernan - and how to pronounce it (02:58)
Writing his first rhymes (11:19)
Getting his first record deal (20:00)
Starting IV League (26:25)
Meeting PRO (28:22)
Breaking up IV League (30:15)
Making the 24/7/366 mixtape (36:19)
His favourite song on Altar Ego (37:50)
Working with Khuli Chana and PRO (39:08)
Taking over Kanye West's on-stage Cube (49:08)
Meeting DJ Zinhle in Botswana (52:10)
How DJ Zinhle's house knowledge influenced the making of Levels (53:32)
His favourite song on Levels (57:12)
The story behind Sim Dope (57:30)
Developing a strong relationship with Stogie T (01:04:04)
Why All Eyes On Me was the last song he recorded on Levels (01:07:30)
Sitting down with Burna Boy to squash beef (01:10:50)
Why beef is necessary (01:14:11)
How Facebook started his beef with L-Tido started (01:14:50)
Orchestrating a beef club night (01:17:36)
How he met Cassper Nyovest (01:21:09)
Getting Anatii to rap in Xhosa (01:24:50)
Exchanging words with iFani (01:28:13)
When DJ Zinhle kicked him out of their home (01:31:00)
When he felt like he first "made it" (01:36:12)
The formula for women in hip hop to blow up (01:37:18)
Thoughts on Boity rapping (01:39:40)
Wedding song formulas (01:44:40)
The intentions of BEAM Group and why it exploded (01:46:50)
Returning to Vth Season under different circumstances (01:47:28)
Collaborating with Reebok on his SneAKA (01:49:40)
Creating a docu-series (02:00:37)
What it takes to be a superstar (02:09:20)
What he wishes he knew when he was starting out (02:13:44)

Filmed at the J&B Hive, Johannesburg.

Shot and edited: Outre.

Sound architect: Kitso Moremi.

Thumbnail image: Dudu Dube

For more information on #imbaliLIVE or to find out how to attend, visit http://www.helenherimbi.co.za

Follow Helen at   / uhelenh