Here are some "interesting" facts about rapper/producer Akira the Don, aka Adam Narkiewicz. Firstly, he was born in West Bromwich and now lives in Wales. Secondly, he's produced two top 40 singles for UK rapper Lethal Bizzle and claims Chris de Burgh as one of his many influences. Finally, his first foray into music was part of the underground rap collective Crack Village, alongside actress and daughter of Ray, Lois Winstone.
Don't Need a Weatherman is taken from the Don's forthcoming 25th mixtape and features Canadian musician and fellow (slightly awkward) rapper Chilly Gonzales. It also includes a lot of Bob Dylan, in both the sample taken from 1965's Subterranean Homesick Blues (which Gonzales describes as "Bobby D on the intro") and a lyrical lift from 1963's Blowin' in the Wind. Together, these slightly odd bedfellows make the kind of laid back, acoustic-guitar-inflected hip hop not heard since Arrested Development circa '92.
Akira the Don's new mixtape is out next week.
