Akala

Award-Winning Rapper, Author, Activist, Oxford Union Speaker & Founder of The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company

Akala’s Biography:

Kingslee James McLean Daley, known professionally as Akala, is a British rapper, writer, activist and the Founder of The Hip Hop Shakespeare Company. He first rose to prominence after being voted the Best Hip Hop Act at the MOBO Awards, a moment that helped establish him as a leading cultural voice in the UK. Akala has since become a respected keynote speaker whose work blends history, politics and art in a way that resonates with audiences across education, business and the public sector. His most notable achievements include publishing bestselling books, founding creative institutions and featuring on the UK Powerlist of the 100 most influential Black British people.

Akala’s journey began in Kentish Town, where he grew up in a home deeply rooted in community and cultural learning. His mother and the wider Caribbean pan African network encouraged him to explore black history, philosophy and politics from a young age. This early grounding shaped both his worldview and his academic ability. He achieved ten GCSEs and earned full marks in English, a sign of the intellect that would later define his writing and public speaking. Before committing fully to music, he balanced his love of learning with football, spending time on the schoolboy books of West Ham United and AFC Wimbledon. By his early twenties he was releasing music through his independent label, developing a distinctive voice that combined sharp lyricism with social commentary.

As his career progressed, Akala expanded beyond music into education and literature. He released acclaimed albums, delivered landmark performances and emerged as a cultural thinker whose insights reached far beyond the stage. In 2009 he founded the Hip Hop Shakespeare Company, an innovative arts organisation that explores the parallels between modern rap and the works of Shakespeare. His writing also gained wide recognition, with books such as Natives and The Dark Lady showcasing his ability to connect personal experience with wider historical forces. In 2018 he was awarded two honorary degrees in recognition of his impact on culture, education and social understanding. Akala’s later projects, including Immovable Studios, demonstrate his commitment to creating spaces where creativity and critical thinking can thrive.

Why Hire Akala?

Event organisers turn to Akala for his clarity, warmth and ability to make complex ideas accessible. He speaks on race, class, imperialism, black history, culture, youth empowerment and the power of education, topics that matter to organisations seeking meaningful conversations about inclusion and identity. Whether addressing a leadership team, a university audience or a public conference, he brings evidence, emotion and real lived experience. His talks leave people better informed, more reflective and more confident in creating fairer and more connected environments. Akala remains one of the UK’s most compelling voices for audiences looking to understand history, society and the role of culture in shaping progress.

Akala’s Career Highlights:

Below showcases Akala’s inspirational career highlights throughout the world of art and media:

• 2025 – Featured on the UK Powerlist 2025
• 2022 – Co-Founder of Immovable Studios
• 2021 – Author of ‘The Dark Lady’
• 2018 – Author of ‘Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire’
• 2018 – Received Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Oxford Brookes University and Honorary Degree from Brighton University
• 2015 – Delivered a Full Address and Q&A for the Oxford Union
• 2009 – Founded The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company
• 2006 – Winner of MOBO Award for Best Hip Hop Act