BIOGRAPHY
Those with a keen ear for music definitely gravitate towards the lyrical skills of rapper Aquil, a Philadelphia native, born and raised, with a signature sound. With a poetic out-pour in his verses, it’s easy for listeners to connect with and get lost in the rhymes of this deep-thinking artist. Being compared with Hip-Hop founding fathers such as Rakim, Nas, Tupac, Black Thought, KRS-ONE, Common, Mos Def and Talib Kweli, Aquil takes their influences and elite comparisons in stride. As a lifelong admirer of music, he has honed his skills, unafraid to mix genres such as the Blues, Jazz, Afro Beat, and Funk into a Hip-Hop interpretation. His live shows reflect just that; a level of creativity and fearlessness that leaves the crowd captivated, inspired and shouting for more.
Aquil released his critically acclaimed debut LP Land of Synth in the Fall of 2012 and has continued to push his music and art forward since that time. Aquil has worked with Grammy award winning producer 9th Wonder and his production team the Soul Council. Collaborating with emcee/producer Yahzilla, Aquil created a project titled The Bright LadySessions in 2012 which also received critical acclaim while gaining international attention and radio play. Aquil has performed at the NXNE music and film festival in Toronto, the 2010 Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival, and Power99fm radio station to name a few of his achievements. Aquil was named the coldest MC in Philadelphia by DJ Drama and Ice Cube for the 2012 Search For the Coldest competition. Aquil's music is reminiscent of classic Hip Hop, while still managing to forge a sound that is quite unique.
Previously releasing two mixtapes, Blues People (September 2008), and Darkroom of My Mind (October 2010) which sonically sounded more like albums, Aquil has set the mark very high; exuding purpose and style while maintaining substance. A graduate of Temple University, Aquil chose to instead follow his passion for music rather than his Graduate Studies in hopes of returning the feeling of inspiration and creativity to music. With lines that are unapologetic, such as “I entered into a drought of musical doubts but open my mouth and eloquent notes just flow out” and “This platform for the stories that’s untold I’m like Dubois with a flow kick the Souls of Black Folk”, Aquil gets his points across with passion and technical grace. He gives you his thoughts and feelings along with a historical analysis and social-political commentary.
ALBUMS
Blues People (mixtape)
Aquil
(Artist | 2008)
(Artist | 2008)
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PERSONAL FAVORITES
"Architect Technician" from the Blues People mixtape
86 Demotape" from the Blues People mixtape
"F.E.A.R. (False Evidence Appearing Real)" from the Darkroom (of my Mind) mixtape
"Go Far (Beyond Odds)" from the On The Ascendant LP
"Children (feat. Electric Lady)" from the On The Ascendant EP
"For The People (feat. Charlie K)" from the Blues People mixtape
"Image Creation (feat. Electric Lady)" from the Land of Synth LP
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