Ak'Sent
Encyclopedia
Krystle Kantrece Johnson (born May 29, 1987), better known by her stage name Ak'Sent, is an American
rapper from Los Angeles
, California
.
when she was only 16. Since then she has worked with a number of well-known professionals such as The Jugganauts, DJ Quik
, & Beenie Man
. Ak'Sent aims to avoid the glorification of violence and prefers to think of Hip-Hop as a form of "street poetry." Her first album, International, was released on September 26, 2006. She released her second album Gem-In-I under the Avex label. It was released on July 16, 2008 in Japan
only. She is currently recording her third album and a mixtape.
, who Ak'Sent herself had chosen because she was a huge fan. Her debut International landed in 2006 with a Spanish-language remix of "Zingy" and an ode to her departed father titled "My Life".
Release Date: September 26, 2006, Japan Dec 15, 2007
Allmusic [ link]
Track listing
Includes bonus track (Japan)
Gem-In-I
Release Date: July 16, 2008 (Japan only)
Track listing
Music videos
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Early life & career
Ak'Sent's father is of African-American descent, while her mother is of Mexican descent. Ak'Sent grew up quickly thanks to a rough childhood. Her father was an aspiring rapper caught up in the gang lifestyle and was killed in a gang shooting when she was four years old, and with her mother unable to support her on her own, she was sent to live with her grandparents in South Central, Los Angeles. Ak'Sent was signed to Capitol RecordsCapitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
when she was only 16. Since then she has worked with a number of well-known professionals such as The Jugganauts, DJ Quik
DJ Quik
David Martin Blake , better known by his stage name DJ Quik, is an MC and record producer. According to Quik himself, his stage name reflects his ability to produce records in short time....
, & Beenie Man
Beenie Man
Anthony Moses Davis , better known by his stage name Beenie Man, is a Grammy award winning Jamaican reggae artist. He is the self-proclaimed "King of the Dancehall".-Biography:...
. Ak'Sent aims to avoid the glorification of violence and prefers to think of Hip-Hop as a form of "street poetry." Her first album, International, was released on September 26, 2006. She released her second album Gem-In-I under the Avex label. It was released on July 16, 2008 in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
only. She is currently recording her third album and a mixtape.
Behind the music
Although Ak'Sent signed to a major label when she was only 16 years old, her African-American/Latino background had her wondering where to fit in. Adding to her challenges, rap music wasn't allowed in her grandparent's house, but as Ak'Sent learned more about her father's hip-hop aspirations, she decided she should carry on in his honor. She eventually spent time in several R&B-based girl groups and began dance training with Debbie Allen. One showcase at the age of 16 had the young multi-talent signed to Capitol and working with the production duo The Jugganauts. Ak'Sent was especially excited about the Caribbean-styled beats the Jugganauts were working on, and soon she was writing a series of dancehall numbers. One was the future hit "Zingy", featuring guest star Beenie ManBeenie Man
Anthony Moses Davis , better known by his stage name Beenie Man, is a Grammy award winning Jamaican reggae artist. He is the self-proclaimed "King of the Dancehall".-Biography:...
, who Ak'Sent herself had chosen because she was a huge fan. Her debut International landed in 2006 with a Spanish-language remix of "Zingy" and an ode to her departed father titled "My Life".
Albums
InternationalRelease Date: September 26, 2006, Japan Dec 15, 2007
- Professional reviews
Allmusic [ link]
Track listing
Includes bonus track (Japan)
- "My Life"
- "Zingy" featuring Beenie ManBeenie ManAnthony Moses Davis , better known by his stage name Beenie Man, is a Grammy award winning Jamaican reggae artist. He is the self-proclaimed "King of the Dancehall".-Biography:...
- "Pick Up"
- "The Bomb"
- "All I Need"
- "Sak Passe"
- #1
- "If U Were My Baby"
- "Be Careful"
- "We Rule"
- "Krunk Krunk"
- "I Gets Down"
- "My Peoples"
- "Keep It Movin
- "International"
- "Zingy" featuring Beenie Man & Sinful (Spanish Version)
- "Where I Come From"
- "Hold Up"
- "Bounce"
Gem-In-I
Release Date: July 16, 2008 (Japan only)
Track listing
- "Stronger"
- "Losing Control"
- "Big City"
- "U So Hollywood"
- "Lock Him Down"
- "We R The Party"
- "Hot Girl"
- "Low"
- "Crush"
- "Sexxxy"
- "Can't Say No"
- "I Hate Love"
- "Hoodhustlin
- "Hood Boy"
Singles
- "Zingy" featuring Beenie ManBeenie ManAnthony Moses Davis , better known by his stage name Beenie Man, is a Grammy award winning Jamaican reggae artist. He is the self-proclaimed "King of the Dancehall".-Biography:...
was released on March 7, 2006 - "Losing Control"
Year Song Chart positions Album US Rhythmic Top 40 2006 "Zingy" 32 International
Music videos
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Zingy" featuring Beenie Man Beenie Man Anthony Moses Davis , better known by his stage name Beenie Man, is a Grammy award winning Jamaican reggae artist. He is the self-proclaimed "King of the Dancehall".-Biography:... |
International |
| "All I Need" | ||
| "I Gets Down" | ||
| 2008 | "Losing Control" | Gem-In-I |
Compilation appearances
- 2005 Coach Carter (Music from the Motion Picture) — "This One"
- Capital Records
- 2007 Major Flavours 2 — "Zingy" [Original Remix]
- Universal Distribution
- 2009 Fame (Original motion picture soundtrack) — "This Is My Life"
- Lakeshore Records
Other appearances
- Ak'Sent co-wrote and performed the song "This One" that premiered in the movie Coach CarterCoach CarterCoach Carter is a 2005 American film directed by Thomas Carter. It is based on a true story, in which Richmond High School basketball coach Ken Carter made headlines in 1999 for benching his MVP and undefeated team due to poor academic results....
. - She had a part in the 2009 movie FameFame (2009 film)Fame is a 2009 musical film and a loose remake of the 1980 film of the same title. It was directed by Kevin Tancharoen and written by Allison Burnett. It was released on September 25, 2009 in the USA, Canada, Ireland, and the UK.-Freshman year:...
. Her song titled "This Is My Life" is also on the soundtrack. She performs the song with Hopsin, Tynisha KeliTynisha KeliTynisha Keli Soares , known by her stage name Tynisha Keli, is an American R&B and pop singer-songwriter, who has seen her greatest success in Japan....
, and Donte "Burger" Winston. - Ak'Sent was featured on the song "Boyhunter" by Canadian pop star Skye SweetnamSkye SweetnamSkye Alexandra Sweetnam is a Canadian singer-songwriter, actress, and music video director. Skye first entered the mainstream in 2003 with the release of her debut single "Billy S." Over a year later, her debut album, Noise from the Basement, was released including the singles "Tangled Up in Me"...
from her album Sound SoldierSound SoldierSound Soldier is the second and final studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Skye Sweetnam. The album was released in Canada on October 30, 2007 and February 14, 2008 in Japan. No promotion was done for the album in Japan and as a result it only charted at #161, selling 950 copies in its first...
(2007). - Ak'sent's song "Bounce" was featured on the in-game soundtrack of NBA Street V3NBA Street V3NBA Street V3 is the third game in the NBA Street series. It is the sequel of NBA Street Vol. 2. It was released for PlayStation 2, GameCube and Xbox, along with a PlayStation Portable port of V3 called NBA Street Showdown....
.