5 Things You Need To Know About @AKAworldwide #TouchMyBlood

After an exciting journey to the album, Touch My Blood by AKA is finally upon us. The Supa Mega held an exclusive listening session for the album last night and I must say, the music on the project is quite impressive. With the tracklist and a few songs already revealed through pre-order, here are a few more things we learned about the album as we listened. 

1. The album is a worldly album;

AKA is at the stage in his life where he no longer has to prove anything to anyone when it comes to his music. The influences on the album have elements of afrobeats, kwaito, and pop, with hip hop being a given. He also dives into his RnB bone here and there, at some point drawing some inspiration from the likes of Keith Sweat in the laid back Me & You. More than anything, the album sounds like it was made with Africa in mind, and from that with the intention to take Africa to the rest of the world. With the widened audience that AKA has accumulated in the past years with his international shows and travels, it only makes sense to make crossover music that not only we can consume, but can be served all over the world. 

2. Fully In is the next official single of the album;

Having teased this particular song in one of his many social media clips leading up to the album, we can confirm that it is indeed the next single off the album. We recently saw that AKA shot the music video for the track in Eldorado Park, and the single is set to be highlighted with the video already being complete. There's no official date for the music video release as yet, however, the black and white visual is set to stun fans as the community of Eldos flosses alongside the Supa Mega in the motion picture.

3. There are already popular new songs from the album;

Looking at the vast feedback from people who have heard the album, including reactions to the songs when they played at his session, songs like Fela In Versace ft Kiddominant, and Jika ft Yanga Chief are set to catch quick fire. The reason for this, in my opinion, is their crossover appeal. Fela In Versace has an inexplicable African bada$$ feel to it, while Jika will remind you of what Caiphus Song did on the wedding circuit. Jika is an inclusive song that will cercainly have South Africans of all ages dancing together. It's got a prominent afrobeat/afropop tinge that will also have fans catching the nostalgic sounding hook and singing along really quickly. Naturally, each person will be having their own favourites on the album with songs like Touch My Blood, Fully In, and Magriza ft Kwesta coming in as close competitors for the mass favourites as well.

4. Mame ft JR was inspired by Black Panther, the movie;

One night while working on the album at Sun City with the gang, they decided to go watch the popular film and it got the Mega inspired. He was moved to do a powerful song that spoke about the state of his country and his people to which Mame was made that night.  

5. Baby Kairo is indeed on the album;

While wrapping up the album before submitting the final piece you may have noticed that AKA's baby girl, Kairo Forbes, was in studio. Well, she makes her record debut on Daddy Issues II. Although she doesn't rap like Blue Ivy on Jay-Z's 4:44, her contribution is the most adorable thing in the world. This particular song is also one a lot of people might gravitate towards. 

There is much to "unpack" and dissect about the album but we'd rather leave that to the fans. One thing that sticks out on the album is AKA's openness in the music, he doesn't censor his truths, and/or recent experiences, along with the thoughts that come from them. We think his fans will appreciate that. Make sure you cop the album tomorrow when it lands. While on that note, look out for our Balcony What-What with him which is currently loading.