Akala Talks Twitter, Hip Hop, and Spice Girls | The Russell Howard Hour

From The Russell Howard Hour, Russell chats to musician, author, and founder of The Hip Hop Shakespeare Company, Akala.
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[@TomQuick14]

2 people I never thought I'd see in the same room, Russell & Akala If this is the first time you're hearing of Akala, I beg you look up his fire in the booths, countless interviews, his oxford press talk, and then read his books, they guy is an underrated genius

[@cardroid8615]

🤣

[@mohamedismaciil9239]

Hes half breed tell him to stop talking about black issues

[@simbz194]

@@mohamedismaciil9239 bot account, most definitely a bot running this account

[@88ST3V307]

@@mohamedismaciil9239 He is. And he's a race baiter

[@kiriakoz]

@@mohamedismaciil9239 does that mean if you’re white, you can’t have an opinion on race?

[@handaloo]

I could watch Akala talk all day. Truly amazing educator and activist. Great guest!

[@tekaid23]

Just came here to write the same. Always got time for the man.

[@kanepreton9588]

I've watched his Oxford university speech 4 times now

[@handaloo]

Same!

[@AWizardOfTastyness]

@Andrew McMillan Are you related to Alex Horn 😄?

[@skyebates246]

@@handaloo and even listen to him talk as well maybe 😂

[@deafeningoctopus]

I hadn't heard of this guy before, but I really like him! He's the kind of person you could listen to all day.

[@Sab.86]

I really hope you listen to fore in the booth with him in it. "Arctic monkeys" by him. "Sheakspeare" "comedy, Tragedy, history" and soooo many moreeee he's a really fast rapper but suchhhh amazing lyrics!

[@abdulsufan3325]

Hear hes music its insanely good..

[@edglue6138]

Get on him. Watch his fire in the booth. It's on KZbin

[@kaderathebeekeeper22m3]

@@edglue6138 Here’s more from him. Genius 🧠 📚 kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6jUmHp5fdqneLM

[@mohammedyasin3683]

you should listen to lowkey. His very similar to him

[@WWCLife]

The man is a legend. And his music is great too.

[@isaacjacobs3785]

Respect to Akala. His level of intelligence and his art of delivering a message is second to none. Would like to see Akala have a much greater platform, this guy can do great if given the opportunity to educate a wider audience. Imagine someone like Akala involved in the UK Government.

[@jamesvmarsden]

Akala is far too competent to be accepted in to UK Government

[@isaacjacobs3785]

@@jamesvmarsden Unfortunately true

[@edglue6138]

Hear hear

[@cosmicdiasporapoems2916]

@@jamesvmarsden So Mr Johnson and his mates is professional going up against trained, killer EU trade negotiators? Shut your pie hole.

[@mydogeatspuke]

Not bad considering he didn't finish college.

[@nigeh5326]

Not really heard of this guy before as I’m an old white guy but he comes across as a very intelligent fun man who makes a positive contribution to our society. Good luck to him 👍

[@lifeafterlife3990]

Watch akala and tommy robinson debate on bbc3

[@nigeh5326]

@@lifeafterlife3990 will do although I may need some Valium beforehand if I have to listen to Tommy ‘the mouth’ Robinson

[@nigeh5326]

@@lifeafterlife3990 thanks for the recommendation just watched it. Robinson is a tw*t

[@lifeafterlife3990]

@@nigeh5326 mate watch akala fire in the booth. Its lyrics on that people just dont talk about and speaks about these MPs and how they send working class kids to illegal wars. Hes so inspiringn mate. U wont be dissapointed with it..

[@nigeh5326]

@@lifeafterlife3990 will do cheers stay safe 👍

[@helloagain6243]

The minute I saw him live in 2006, my life changed forever. He truly saved me. Though I still disagree with him on few things, he will always have a fan here that respects him and cherishes him as an artist. He made me see the fallacies in most rap songs and who really runs the industry. Once you go Akala you'll never stop getting smarter.

[@lorcanzo2498]

What do you disagree with if you don’t mind me asking, I have recently found Akala and am interested in this stuff

[@sphyoni]

Like quite a few people in the comments, I have sadly never heard of Akala. What a truly remarkable man! This is what I love about Russell’s show he introduces us to extraordinary people who we may not know about and tells us what they have done and what they are doing. I am really enjoying listening to Akala talking, I would have loved to of had him as my English teacher at school. I am certainly going to checkout Akala’s music, I am also going to have a look to see if his book is on Audible.

[@Bandoolie]

You’re in for a treat if (or when) you listen to Natives on Audible, it is phenomenal and all the better because it’s narrated by Akala. Enjoy! ✊🏾

[@skyebates246]

He's amazing just go and watch all his interviews

[@thatbharris]

@Jack bampton Please state your case

[@justmaybe6638]

@@thatbharris He can't - when I see people like him throughout the comments on something like this, you instantly know that jealousy/racism is involved. A few people have asked for examples as you have and all now - crickets. Clearly, as with many like him, they have no understanding of the terms 'racist' or 'racism'; poorly educated and lacking comprehension.

[@jimmystaddon4252]

So much respect for akala. His music has opened my eyes to so many things. Could listen to this guy for hours!

[@robbpatterson6796]

Probably the most interesting interview ever. Wish it was longer tbh. Definitely need to check out some of his music now

[@MrGonzdj]

Check his fire in the booths he's amazing

[@LeonEvans_Guyver1]

search KZbin for the Joe channel Interview with him done by James O' Brien. It what got me into Akala and got me to buy his book Natives.

[@georgina-a]

@@LeonEvans_Guyver1 Hope it's OK to ask, but what's the Empire book like? Is it good? I'm trying to decide whether to order it or not and would really appreciate the opinion of someone who has read it. Many thanks x

[@LeonEvans_Guyver1]

@@georgina-a it's excellent, buy it. I got the title wrong, its "Natives - Race & Class in the Ruins of Empire" (I knew the word empire was in there somewhere)

[@georgina-a]

@@LeonEvans_Guyver1 I couldn't remember the exact title, either, but I knew which one you meant! Thank you for replying and for your recommendation - I'll get it ordered up 😎

[@ceriselouisa1749]

Akala is a true Modern Rennaissance Man

[@bexmos5789]

A beautiful inquisitive mind love the line be childlike not childish 💫

[@ZuvioxArts]

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here haha! Akala is a really talent musician and educated soul, but he’s not a polymath

[@happyclappy1805]

@@ZuvioxArts what are you even saying though?Akala is a brilliant musician, committed social activist, excellent scholar, amazing writer/essayist, a humble soul and apparently a really sweet guy. Give him the flowers Bro

[@oxgoth]

Childlike but not childish. I love that line.

[@andrewjameshenderson1389]

What a great fellow! Thanks, Russell, i didn't know this man. Now i've got to read his book! 🌹👍✌🌹

[@aimanfali]

Has a great lecture on African history, you will love it

[@ATipplingPhilosopher]

Natives is a truly brilliant book. Get the audiobook as it is him reading it and well worth it. Real mind changer.

[@UKLeonie]

"Natives" is amazing but "The Dark Lady" is brilliant, buy a copy for sure.

[@unklemunky8992]

Natives is a cracking read. If you’ve not seen the clip you may also enjoy watching him intellectually dismantling Tommy Robinson. Casually..whilst making a cup of tea with the other hand.kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYq6lp-hZtJmjsU

[@Sadaqa4Janaza]

A lot of people are unaware that Akala is also the younger brother of Ms Dynamite!

[@sparklypeanuts]

My mind exploded when I found that out back in the day

[@dwayneterence7456]

@@sparklypeanuts why did you find it so surprising?

[@sparklypeanuts]

@@dwayneterence7456 honestly I’m not sure, it might have been that an artist I loved had a brother equally as talented. Families with multiple superstars in them fascinates me...is it something in the water and if so where can I get a bottle or 50

[@bammer800]

Love Akala. Could listen to him all day. Should be running our city.

[@unklemunky8992]

@Jack bampton awww, are the troublesome brown people with voices and opinions giving you vague feelings of discomfort & anxiety? There’s a reason for that and it’s not the one you think it is. See if you can work it out…

[@unklemunky8992]

@Jack bampton Alright, Enoch-pop another Prozac, your blood pressure’s on the rise again😂

[@justmaybe6638]

@Jack bampton Well, since no one can see you or knows who you are, why don't you give some examples 'in reverse' of what Akala has said about white people.

[@ryrilo5078]

Akala is proof that speech done fluently is magnetic. He's like a cultural bridge between races and class.

[@88ST3V307]

He's not, he's a race baiter

[@brido88]

You have to be joking. He's an antagonist. He over generalises his opinions when it comes to white people, but tends to disect any statistic that involves a minority, fire up a smoke screen of "but white people" and refuses to engage and move forward from a stance of cooperation.

[@dj_locoso]

@@88ST3V307 says stev3 the waste bait

[@nathandts3401]

​@@88ST3V307Race is clearly an issue in the UK. The primary issue in the country is based in class, but right wing press has been pitting the white working class against other races for centuries.

[@shitpostloooool]

I remember seeing him in person outside Kensington and Chelsea Town Hall a few days after grenfell tower burnt down. We marched from Ladbroke Grove to the town hall. Didn't get the chance to chat to him but he was very articulate and knew what the score was

[@gavinguitar2194]

So refreshingly different & positive! A genuine nice bloke; you could be at the bar in a pub & get into conversation with Akala & spend the rest of the evening just listening. Intelligent, articulate & passionate about what he does.

[@MrGonzdj]

Yes Akala if you know you know..... If you don't get some schooling from this man! Absolute legend and an inspiration - Russel Big up for getting such a legend on ya show

[@eyedeasneverdie3348]

Cant wait for his new music and a tour, never seen anyone perform like he does. He does 3-4 songs back to back and pure energy, then he'll pause a bit and chat with the crowd. Then back to 3-4 tracks. He's such a quality person, one of the best this country has to offer in my opinion.

[@missblackman5656]

Need to give artist like him more air time then half the artist's out there! He gives you a Education and a vibe 🙌🏾

[@thelondoner614]

This is soooooooooo amazing. I loved the conversation. Great questions and interesting /intelligent answers. Thanks

[@aaronbowes2765]

So so intelligent and and absolute joy to listen to. Been watching and listening to Akala for many years.

[@sunnysjwinter]

Would love to see Akala have his own show one day 🔥

[@aranjohnson9890]

Would never happen. Tv stations wouldn't have it, he talks too much honesty about culture and race and doesn't fit the agenda at all.

[@winterbas8927]

@@aranjohnson9890 Truth

[@GreenLanternCorps2814]

Never heard of this guy before, but he seems freakin' awesome.

[@MA-qf5gq]

man he really is.

[@georgina-a]

If you'd like to get a taste of what he's about, check out his "fire in the booth" sessions. There are a few of them and they give a great overview of who he is as an artist - his outlook, how he tries out other artforms and genres, how he's grown and changed (especially if you watch them in order). They're all on KZbin and well worth a nosey 👍

[@sparklypeanuts]

@@georgina-a love Akala's fire in the booth sessions!

[@mattmason4700]

Akala is 🔥 love his fire in the booth

[@palmeristo]

Extremely underrated artist, I never hear enough of him.

[@kayz8806]

I'm actually shocked at how many people haven't heard of Akala, glad you have now though! ✌

[@kabtak252]

Really phenomenal... I can listen to him all day...

[@msidentified4557]

Well done Russell. Great interview; no bias detected! And Akala; I am greatful for your life😇❤👑

[@reallivingtv1662]

Purchased a few of his albums as a teen. Legend!

[@reallivingtv1662]

It would be great to hear him have a discussion with history debunked from another side of a fence.

[@gazayouth9132]

This guy is so knowledgable he is truly blessed

[@lynnevenables7193]

Fire in the booth, never ages!

[@Zelestean]

Surprised and not surprised that people haven't heard of Akala... Been actively listening and watching this brother for about 15 years. People haven't heard of him as he doesn't get the radio time etc due to speaking the absolute Truth and educating the world. But people don't want to hear the truth. Materialism has over shadowed knowledge. 'knowledge is power!'

[@diane_kerr]

Love these two. They are both refreshingly down to earth, well informed and think objectively. I could watch Akala talk all day.

[@jonb2631]

Big up for this one Russell! Subscribed!

[@andycontento3563]

What an amazing bloke. 👍👍👍👌👌👌😁😁😁

[@portlandbellejay9606]

I just love this man. So much knowledge.

[@Madyetmellow]

An educated man 👏😁

[@mumsow]

Akala is an incredible human 💜🌟

[@mlove8158]

Remember I saw him perform at sevoy hotel, he is so great keep doing what your doing and spreading gems 💎

[@kairyumina6407]

Hyped for that album you mentioned at the end Akala

[@ryman3518]

You always come away feeling like you’ve upped your knowledge about the world 10x over listening to Akala, even for a few minutes. A true genius who explains things in a way anyone can understand

[@artisfalkner3998]

Bruv, you MUST upload this full episode!

[@kakakhodenn9128]

wld luv 2 c man deh, akala, in Tronto, Canada...🍁

[@rosefamily2351]

Fantastic video kingslee is such inspiring young man

[@benrhysf]

could listen 24/7

[@Christie197]

Amazing amazing young man ❤

[@cammybrown1626]

Been listening to akala since cyphers were the thing on youtube. Mans lyrical intelligence is on another level

[@DrWhoFanUK]

Can we not just make him PM now?

[@mazzimorgan7905]

I hear what you're saying, but, respectfully disagree. That would tie his hands and politically "gag" his views.

[@sjsjksks5138]

PM is a money machine nothing to do with helping people

[@nad20244]

Love from Sudan

[@DavidBrown-jd2st]

Top book 📖 highly recommend it. 👊🏻

[@anneanne9009]

I'll still always remember Russels sign language thing. That was amazing!

[@whizzywoo582]

Book ordered, sounds interesting :)

[@remotefaith]

I suspect he’s a terrible fiction writer

[@jimbob2826]

The legend himself!

[@mohammadrazack1588]

Guys akala fire in the booth 🔥🔥🔥 you will not be disappointed

[@mcfcaguerooo5697]

This guy is a huge inspiration. He’s fucking unstoppable. I always learn something new from him. A pure educator ❤️

[@omh186]

Such a lovely man. Always interesting.

[@kudachinyani3557]

FINALLY 😩

[@stagga8]

Subbed for this 👍

[@acacius9903]

Amazing man Akala is

[@rsaneria]

You definitely listen to what he’s saying, in awe of his intelligence, great guest.

[@THEDOPEYDAISY]

Russell Howard is a real one for putting Akala on his platform. People are terrified of putting “activists” on their platform and I’m very happy Russell done this.

[@rickysmom809]

Love akala soooo much

[@andrewjames4346]

I have listened to his music and teachings since I heard Shakspeare when it first came out. His lyrical gymnastics and ability was so magnetic that I just couldn't invest my self in his work!

[@ruthfrank8106]

I'm.in awe ❤

[@AJ-je1lt]

Get Lowkey on too!

[@amark4775]

Akala has been the best guest in the show so far !

[@dan1991woopwoop]

Really good interview by russ. Akala seems to becoming alot more wise with age. Like all good people do.

[@kudachinyani3557]

I need the extended version please

[@elladarlington1828]

Great pairing of people. Akala is bright and brilliant. I wish he was at the forefront of more UK initiatives. He should be a Government advisor if he's not already. Great balance of joy and intellectualism.

[@ChargedWords]

The government wouldn't want him as an advisor, he'd speak too much truth and try to restore some balance. People say the system is broken, it isn't. It works exactly how people at the top want it, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Whilst this has always been true it is more relevant than ever, just look at how much money Tory MPs and donors have made from covid.

[@justmaybe6638]

@@ChargedWords Facts.

[@chriswilliamson7694]

@@ChargedWords , if you try a bit harder I think you can shoehorn a couple more vacuous lefty tropes into your comment.

[@ChargedWords]

@@chriswilliamson7694 yeah I probably could but that will do.

[@DS-yu6db]

discovered Akala from Nine's track I wonder. never looked back, he's language and intellect is amazing

[@Tumanic1996]

Love the triangle hand gesture on entrance 📐

[@doogle5624]

Freedom Lasso.. Great album

[@bippetybeebop]

I met Akala a few years ago! He's honestly the nicest person, absolutely inspiring!

[@eskayh7734]

Big up man like Akala. Got the book on my readlist.

[@zeemo7751]

Give this man a bigger platform.

[@gentnextdoor]

Great guy Akala

[@OpiTheFitnessAnimator]

So glad Akala is being exposed to more people. Full of knowledge.

[@Laura-sg6ss]

Akala 🔥💃🏽

[@fhg1066]

He is a legend

[@Sab.86]

Honestly.. he's the best..

[@miaking5973]

Akala is amazing human!

[@mathewdalquen3127]

Bruh akala rates angels i love it and im hardcore hip hop/metal fan 🔥🔥

[@hometruths9411]

This guy has such a sharp fast mind!

[@jackbeale7730]

No word of a lie Akala bro one of the best humans around intellectually with it and as down to earth as a normal decant person grew up on his songs can’t wait for the new ones 💯👌

[@Antifa_Gini]

Big up man like Akala ✌🏾❤

[@davidmcnulty8181]

This guy is so interesting to listen to

[@carcrashvideos9755]

Anyone not seen him type in akala on youtube watch his debates in the universities absolutely brilliant

[@kingares9768]

Never thought I would be watching Russell Howard lol but he got Akala on and I had to click

[@Baber1]

Nuff rispek Russell 4 dis

[@christopherspick5111]

I've been listening to this guy for about 5 yrs, very intelligent and understandable, check out fire in the booth, with headphones on be prepared to be blown away.

[@manunited1235]

Absolute genius

[@markcreitzman8728]

I thought Russell did a great job interviewing this amazing and talented artiste. What a lovely guy Akala is

[@NorthWestSamurai]

Anybody else see a Netflix series on the horizon? Good luck Akala, you're an inspiration to us all.

[@nikkigrey2020]

Can listen to Akala all day.

[@Fairdayspay]

Very educational man indeed ,came across him doing a freestyle on Charlie sloth ,

[@Waulah67]

Another brilliant guest.

[@p-hawk1956]

"So, you're a philosopher?" "Yes", akka, "yes", akka "yes, yes" ....

[@MarieHannahWilson]

i miss you being on BBC3