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Tag: Akili

  • Akili releases new song “I So Blue”

    Akili releases new song “I So Blue”

    New York-based artist Akili has released “I So Blue,” the third single from his upcoming album, “Tobago Nights.”

    The song was written while Akili was in Panama during a difficult period in his life. According to Akili, conversations with his aunt Sharon and an encounter with an old friend, Griselle, influenced the song. Griselle later gave him Willie Dixon’s book I Am the Blues, which became another source of inspiration for the track.

    “I So Blue” combines Afrobeats, Reggae and Blues, with lyrics centered on confronting pain rather than avoiding it. The song explores themes of resilience, personal growth and ancestral wisdom.

    Akili is developing “Tobago Nights” through a monthly single release schedule, with the album planned for October 2026.

    The song is available on streaming platforms.

  • Akili releases new single “Desaparecida”

    Akili releases new single “Desaparecida”

    New York-based Afro-R&B artist Akili has released the new single “Desaparecida,” taken from his upcoming sophomore album, “Tobago Nights.”

    The song originated during a collaborative writing session Akili had with his university friend and colleague Eric Turner. Inspired by Turner’s line “Time was our enemy,” Akili originally wrote the song as a funk-pop R&B track titled “My Baby’s Gone” and performed that version for several years.

    Akili later reworked the song while developing “Tobago Nights,” shifting its focus from a fading romantic relationship to the loss of creative inspiration. “Desaparecida” explores the experience of becoming attached to a creative spark and then struggling to recover it after it disappears.

    The song is part of the narrative of “Tobago Nights,” which Akili has described through themes of loss, longing and artistic identity.

    “Desaparecida” is available on streaming platforms.

  • Akili releases new single “Tortured Soul”

    Akili releases new single “Tortured Soul”

    New York-based Afro-R&B artist Akili has released the new single “Tortured Soul,” a track that explores passion, artistic expression and the tension between two different perspectives.

    The song began with lyrics written by Akili’s friend Z, who is from Tobago. Akili incorporated the lyrics into the broader narrative of his “Tobago Nights” project.

    “Tortured Soul” presents an internal dialogue between two people. One becomes increasingly absorbed in their art and the reality it creates, while the other attempts to bring them back to their shared reality. The song examines the question of which person is experiencing the deeper sense of isolation.

    Akili’s music combines Afrobeats and Soca influences with contemporary R&B songwriting. His work is also influenced by Caribbean music and artists including Olatunji and Fireboy DML.

    “Tortured Soul” is available on streaming platforms.

  • Akili explores resilience on “I So Blue” ahead of upcoming album Tobago Nights

    Akili explores resilience on “I So Blue” ahead of upcoming album Tobago Nights

    Akili has released “I So Blue,” the third single from his forthcoming album Tobago Nights, scheduled for release in October 2026.

    Written during a difficult period while the artist was in Panama, the song draws on a series of personal experiences that shaped its message. Conversations with family and friends, along with reading Willie Dixon’s I Am the Blues, influenced the track’s focus on confronting hardship rather than avoiding it.

    Musically, “I So Blue” combines Afrobeats, reggae and blues, reflecting the blend of influences that runs throughout Akili’s work. The song explores themes of resilience, self-reflection and personal growth through a production that balances rhythmic grooves with melodic songwriting.

    The release forms part of a monthly rollout leading to Tobago Nights. The project follows Akili’s debut album, Tobago Vibez, which drew on his experiences living in the Caribbean through a mix of Soca, Afrobeats and R&B.

    Based in New York, Akili’s music brings together Afrobeats, Soca and contemporary R&B. His songwriting is influenced by both African and Caribbean musical traditions, reflecting experiences across both regions.

    “I So Blue” is available now on major streaming platforms.