Today we’d like to introduce you to Akilah Divine.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I developed my love for music as early as the age of 5. I would literally use any object I could grab as a microphone. I would sing inside the house for hours at a time. My family was very musical and had a great taste in music. My dad would sing to me all the time as a child and freestyle songs just for me. My mom would always blast Sade and Erykah Badu. My grandmother would play music from the 60s and I absolutely loved it! I started performing at my school talent shows singing and rapping. I began to notice that music was something I was extremely passionate about. I started writing my own music and from there it was history! I now use my thoughts and feelings to help deliver messages to people of all walks of life through my music and poetry.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road at all! I’ve been doing everything without a team, so it’s been a lot on me. I’m booked for at least 3-4 gigs a month and I have to handle all the logistics, behind the scenes, and still deliver the best performance possible. I now appreciate and embrace the struggles I faced; they were all teaching moments that strengthened me. There are also a lot of challenges being a Black Woman in the industry. I have to always be on guard and protect myself. I have to speak up and set boundaries.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a multi-disciplinary artist; singer, spoken word artist, rapper, and actress who was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. I aim to be an experience that resonates with people and to give them something they can connect with and feel.
I’ve been featured in The Afro, Hot 97, Grid Magazine, Baltimore Times, A&R Factory, WeAreSensei, Alchemical Records, Ital Massive, Str8OutDaDen, Aipate, and other publications.
My hit single “TRIBE” was accepted as Official Selection in 14 film festivals: Columbus Black International Film Festival, Las Vegas Black Film Festival, Sabiff 2020- San Antonio Black International Film Festival, Rapport Festival: Black Film Festival, Los Angeles Black Film Festival, Baltimore Next Media Webfest, Twin Cities Black Film Festival, Made In Baltimore Short Film Festival, Gary International Black Film Festival, Baltimore International Black Film Festival, Urban Mediamakers Festival (UMF), Hip Hop Film Festival, Indie Shorts Awards Cannes, and Georgia Shorts Film Festival,
“Tribe” also won best music video award from Sabiff 2020- San Antonio Black International Film Festival, Columbus Black International Film Festival, Baltimore Next Media Webfest.
I also won the “HOT97 Who’s Next” heat of the week competition and was offered a one-on-one listening session, video interview, and funds towards a marketing campaign.
I’ve opened up for Grammy-nominated singer Maimouna (Mumu Fresh) Youssef, performed at the largest all-female digital festival known as “The Ladybug Festival,” and she starred in a touring stage play known as “Piece by Piece” shown at the Motor House Theatre in Baltimore, Good Acting Studio in Atlanta, and Pittsburgh Playwrights.
I was also featured on Free Tuition, a Snapchat serious that is focused on education and entertainment for passionate, poetic, and inspirational conversations with special guests about justice, equality, and change.
I’m proud of all my accomplishments and what separates me is my drive, passion, and respect for the craft.
What makes you happy?
Being on stage performing my music and poetry makes me happy. It’s how I breathe and come alive. When I’m on stage, nothing else matters. It’s all about giving my best and giving people something they can feel and resonate with.
Contact Info:
- Email: akilahdivinemusic@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.akilahdivine.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akilah.divine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akilahdivinemusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/akilahdivine?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAaCee5M-Lk
