Queens, NY-born, Nigerian-American multi-disciplinary artist, AKINYEMI, is a dynamic storyteller blending skillful lyricism with captivating visuals. He connects with his audience beyond the music through his podcast, lifestyle films & behind the scenes conten
Growing up, music was a constant in the AKINYEMI household with his parents introducing the family to their favorite West African music while his older brother, DJ Zeke, made his own lane in NY’s hip-hop scene. AKINYEMI’s intentional flows and sophisticated instrumentation infuse the two cultures, absorbing the syncopation and intricacies from West African music with the drive and resiliency of NY hip-hop. AKINYEMI’s artistry blurs genre lines. “With contemplative lyricism and a fresh sound, AKINYEMI is pioneering the next generation of rap” (Earmilk).
AKINYEMI’s recent singles have gained attention from the likes of Billboard, Lyrical Lemonade, Ebro on Apple Music 1, and synced with Pepsi, NFL, ESPN, Capital One, Amazon, & more. His 2021 debut mixtape, REBORN, delivers complex cadences on themes of growth, self-worth, self-care, and connection, earning widespread acclaim from Office Magazine, Vice, NPR, Lyrical Lemonade, Highsnobiety, Wonderland, and Huffington Post. On stage, AKINYEMI has supported artists including Cordae, Leikeli47, Berhana, Johan Lenox, & Wynne.
AKINYEMI is the recipient of the 2022 ASCAP Peggy Lee Songwriter Award, 2019 ASCAP Harold Adamson Lyric Award for Best Songwriter, and 2018 and 2019 OneBeat Fellow.
ABOUT
1.5+ million YouTube Views
18k+ Instagram Followers
4.6+ million Spotify streams
// AKINYEMI x GHIA //
As an independent artist himself, AKINYEMI’s mission is to share valuable insights and build genuine connections with his community. He is able to connect with his audience beyond the music through his podcast, lifestyle, and behind the scenes content.
Press
“AKINYEMI does and can do it all.” - Ones To Watch
“Nigerian-American artist AKINYEMI creates music at the intersection of his first-generation immigrant experience and New York City upbringing, reflected in his commanding verses and genre-bending aesthetic.” - Flaunt Magazine
“The skillful rap ability of AKINYEMI...carries with it a duality and an important message that asks for more thoughtful intention towards the idea of taking care of yourself.” - Lyrical Lemonade
“With each bar he creates a sense of ambition and determination, sharing wisdom beyond his years…With contemplative lyricism and a fresh sound, AKINYEMI is pioneering the next generation of rap.” - Earmilk
"One’s ears soon grow accustomed to the distinct cadence that AKINYEMI presents to his audience.” - Village Voice
"It doesn’t hurt that Akinyemi has a monumental stage-presence that even many veteran artists can’t compete with" - Office magazine
“solo”
AKINYEMI’s introspective storytelling coupled with lush, otherworldly production establish AKINYEMI as a force to be reckoned with in his new single “solo.” Following recent releases “a kid with an atlas” and “good days,” AKINYEMI continues to explore his identity through his thought-provoking lyricism. A fiercely independent artist, AKINYEMI sings over celestial guitar, “tentative talks on my future, they love to talk I ain’t choose ‘em though.” Independence is a theme throughout the song as he builds his roots as an independent artist and entrepreneur often wearing multiple hats. AKINYEMI states, “people are constantly saying what they think my career should be...but I’m very self-aware and focused on my career so I don’t have to rely on them to advance my career. ‘solo’ is about how the path I chose won't always be understood.”
“A KID WITH AN ATLAS”
AKINYEMI states, a kid with an atlas is “a letter to a younger version of myself. As a kid, I would look at the giant map on the wall next to my bed & dream about being anywhere but home.” This is for the first-generation kids who chose a different path than what their parents saw for them. A video of this song went viral on TikTok amassing over 14.5 mil views. This song won ASCAP’s Peggy Lee Songwriter Award, making AKINYEMI the first rapper to receive this prestigious award.
Syncs & Brand partnerships
3.7 Million Views within 1 week
Syncs & Brand partnerships
Capital One (Original Music)
NowThis News x Aspen Institute (Original Music)
Amazon Fashion (Original Music)
#AmazonVirtualTryOn garnered 11 Billion views &
was the #1 hashtag on TikTok during the campaign
Ad Council x Droga5 (Original Music)
Pepsi Music Lab Academy
CONTENT EXAMPLES
SCREENSHOT ANALYTICS
2023
- Wynne - opener @ the mint, la
- Sunday sounds music festival - la
- YGTUT - Opener @ roxy theatre, la
- YGTUT - Opener @ tv eye, ny
2022
- SXSW w/ Tobe Nwigwe & Bun B - Austin, tx
- Tribeca Festival @ Baby’s All Right, ny
- Johan Lenox - Direct Support @ Mercury Lounge, ny
- Headline (DS: Hush Forte) @ Mercury Lounge, ny
- Ace Hood - Opener @ Bowery Ballroom, ny
- Misguided Spirits Showcase @ Arlene’s Grocery, ny
- The News Movement Launch Party (private event), ny
2021
- Headline “REBORN” Album Release @ Elsewhere Zone One, ny
- Art Basel @ Freehold Miami, FL
- Rolling Stone Livestream (Akinyemi vs. Fly Anakin)
2019
- Cordae - Direct Support @ SOB’s, NY
- Leikeli47 - Direct Support @ Villian BK for Vice, NY
- OneBeat Balkans Tour (Tirana, Albania / Peja, Kosovo / Novi Sad, Serbia / Prishtine, Kosovo / Zagreb, Croatia)
- Headline @ Elsewhere Zone One, ny
- Beau Young Prince - Direct Support @ Baby’s All Right, NY
Recent Touring
Join us in AKINYEMI's Living Room, where AKINYEMI chats with other creatives, independent artists, and influential people in his life as they delve into the world of independent artistry, entrepreneurship, self care, and what's up next.
Through unfiltered, thought-provoking conversations, AKINYEMI & his guests reveal the journey of being independent in the music industry and share valuable insights to maintain a healthy balance in your own life.
AKINYEMI'S LIVING ROOM [PODCAST]
LIVE FROM LA CASITA
Experience AKINYEMI's live performances from his home and places that resonate with what home means to him in his series “Live From La Casita”.
WATCH HERE
