Akeem Ali Talks Versatility, R&B Influence, and His Vision for Hip-Hop’s Future

In a rare and refreshing interview, Akeem Ali sat down with Ray Daniels to share his journey through the music world—from his inspirations and challenges to his vision for the future of hip-hop and R&B. Akeem Ali doesn't do many interviews, and this conversation offered a unique peek into the mind of an artist who is not just creating music, but also helping define what the culture could look like moving forward.

Akeem Ali's artistic identity is as complex as it is authentic. He took the name "Akeem Ali" with intention and reverence—"Akeem" being his real name, and "Ali" inspired by the legendary Muhammad Ali. Akeem spoke passionately about how Ali's confidence, determination, and spirit inspired him, and how he wanted to embody that same kind of poise and assurance. "Anybody who was that poised, who was that confident in what they said, I want to be that," Akeem said during the interview. For him, Muhammad Ali represented an ability to back up one’s words with action, and that kind of confidence—mixed with humility—is something he wants his own fans to feel when he performs or even just when they listen to his music.

In addition to Akeem's hip-hop influences, it’s impossible to overlook his deep impact on R&B. This genre influence plays a significant role in his identity as an artist and is something that sets him apart. During the conversation, Akeem and Ray Daniels touched on the power that R&B has in connecting people—how it taps into universal emotions, like love, that will always resonate. As Akeem noted, "You talk about love all day every day for the next thousand years and that sh*t will never fail." For Akeem, leaning into these emotional, R&B-driven themes is crucial because they allow him to tap into something timeless and relatable, in contrast to some of the fleeting, often aggressive messages prevalent in hip-hop today.

Akeem's versatility also extends to his ability to balance different personas. One notable character is his "pimp persona," embodied in his alter ego "Kimi Casanova." Akeem explained that adopting this character was almost like being given the answers to an open-book test: he realized that audiences loved it when he embraced the swagger of a 70s pimp, so he leaned into it as a "vehicle" to get where he needed to go. However, Akeem made it clear that this is just one part of who he is—one of many tools in his toolbox as a creative. He emphasized the importance of staying authentic while also giving people something memorable: "Use that talking like a pimp to actually pimp where I'm trying to get," he said. In that sense, Akeem’s approach to the pimp persona isn’t about glorifying that lifestyle; instead, it's a tool that helps him control his narrative and expand his reach.

Despite his immense talent and versatility, Akeem Ali is still navigating the complexities of breaking into the mainstream—particularly when it comes to the business side of the industry. "Only being an artist and knowing how to create, not knowing how to navigate everything else around that," Akeem explained when asked why he hasn't yet reached the level of household name that both he and Ray Daniels believe he deserves. The conversation turned to the topic of artist development, with Akeem noting that while he’s always had the music—sometimes waking up in the middle of the night to record voice notes—he had to learn the importance of building a brand, a tribe, or an aesthetic. He pointed out examples like Larry June and Curren$y, artists who may not have mass appeal but whose fans are incredibly loyal due to a well-defined aesthetic. Akeem knows that to truly capture a wide audience, he needs to lock down his own identity and stay focused on it: "If I do not stick to one thing and put that together all the way, nothing will get accomplished."

Ray Daniels also offered some thought-provoking perspectives on the current state of hip-hop, expressing concern that hip-hop as we know it is at risk of "dying." "Hip-hop is becoming anti-family," Ray stated, pointing out that the current wave of artists often makes music that’s vulgar and unwelcoming, especially in family settings. Ray reminisced about artists like DMX, who, while edgy, still made music that could be played in a family environment. He compared this to the current landscape, where a lot of the music—as popular as it may be—is not something that can be comfortably played around children. This, Ray argues, is one of the reasons hip-hop may struggle in the coming years if it doesn’t pivot. "Imagine if a n**** was talented and clean," Ray said. "Make the subject matter cool and be who you are."

Akeem shared Ray’s sentiments and explained how he believes he could play a role in that change. He pointed out that while Black artists may "control the culture," they don’t "control the numbers" in hip-hop. The key to changing that, he argued, is to broaden the audience—to make hip-hop more accessible to women, white audiences, and kids. "The main three audiences that I want to capture are women, white people, and kids," Akeem said. This ties in well with Akeem's R&B influence, as R&B traditionally resonates well across diverse demographics due to its emotional depth and focus on love and relationships.

The power of R&B to set a positive, inclusive vibe was also a point of discussion. Ray Daniels noted how you’ll never see a fight break out at an R&B party—the energy is just different. Akeem agreed, and they talked about how this positive energy could be a model for hip-hop to adopt if it wants to remain culturally dominant. Akeem’s music, which often blends the swagger of hip-hop with the emotional storytelling of R&B, seems to fit this mold perfectly. He aims to create music that’s fun but also meaningful, that people can enjoy whether they’re at a party or just listening alone, reflecting on their life.

Concluding the interview, Akeem made it clear that his goal is to focus and plant his feet in one lane for now. He understands that he has the versatility to do a lot of different things, but as he put it, "You can't get nowhere moving and grooving too much in too many areas." He knows that focusing on one thing—developing an aesthetic that is true to him and resonates with his fans—is what will eventually set him apart.