Exclusive Interview

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Music that knows no boundaries
Fatima I. Bapumia & Leonard Magomba

Having reached the apex of fame with his super hit number ‘Regina’, Akil Yussuf aka. Akil The Brain, believes sky is the limit. Born in a family of singers, singing has always been a passion for Akil, although he has never received formal training in singing or in playing the keyboard, an instrument he has mastered along side singing.
Unable to distance himself from fans who call him Regina, while others follow him just to be with him, the young musician managed to give his full attention to The Express in two consecutive meetings last week.

The Express: Where did Regina (a character in Akil’s famous song ‘Regina’)
come from?
Akil: From my head. I was composing the song and I wanted a good name that would rhyme well and I thought ‘Regina’ was okay. I was actually trying out lots of names, then finally this one seemed to be the best. I asked my colleagues and they said it was fine so I went ahead with it.

The Express: The song is a copy of a Punjabi (Indian language) song. What made you make a Kiswahili version of it?
Akil: I didn’t copy, I was inspired by the tune of the original song to make a similar song. I have used my own lyrics in it and I have used different beats, unlike the Punjabi song. Actually the original song was not a hit any way.

The Express: How did it all start?
Akil: I was in South Africa last November performing, I told a friend I wanted to create a Kiswahili album. He heard me and said “okay work on it”.
I came back to Dar and forgot all about it until one day I was listening to the Punjabi song and thought something was amiss. I went to my keyboard and started working on the beats. I came up with beats I used in the song on G minor. So, I called my friend and played the song to him on the phone.
He was so moved he asked me to perform it in South Africa for Christmas. That is where I performed Regina for the first time. It didn’t have the rap part though.

The Express: How was the response?
Akil: I couldn’t believe it, it was great. People loved it so much I had to sing it again and again.

The Express: When did you first perform it in Dar?
Akil: It was last year’s New Year eve, when I performed on stage. Then in March this year I made its video. I have made other songs before Regina, but none was so famous. I did ‘Bongo Bangra’ after Regina - it went up and down the chart while Regina is still famous. I was once asked to sing the song six times in a row.

The Express: Why do they call you Akil the “Brain”?
Akil: Because I am very brainy! When I started singing, all my friends would say “Akil una akili sana” (Akil you are very intelligent) so when I was thinking of an artistic name I thought of ‘Akil the Brain’. What do you say? Suits me right?

The Express: I can’t think, I am not so sure I have a brain. (laughter)
Akil: started his singing career in 1986 with stage shows and performing at private gatherings. Being the youngest in the group, he would only be allowed to sing a song or two. Despite a busy schedule recording his songs, Akil did not quit performing on stage and now has his own live band. He also performs solo with his favourite Rolland Keyboard. He does shows both within and outside the country. Currently, he is playing keyboard at an ongoing Hindu festival in Lohana temple in Dar es Salaam.

The Express: How was it working with Ray C (Rehema Chalamila) in your video?
Akil: It was great. She is a fast learner. You see the video was not made by any professional choreographer, I choreographed and directed it myself. We just met at the shooting site and I began instructing on the spot. We finished the shoot the same day and it turned out well as you can see.

The Express: Yes, it did. But what made you pick Ray C to feature in your song?
Akil: You know Ray C has done a lot of songs at my studio, that is how I know her very well. (Akil owns a recording studio which he rents to other artistes as well).
One day she told me “Akil I want to dance in your song, if you make a video I’d like to be in it.” Then, she went to Europe and kept enquiring when I was making a video. So I told her about my idea to make Regina’s video. She told me she wanted to dance, and I said I would make it when she’s back.
(Seated at a local café in Dar, Akil had a difficulty ignoring primary school pupils singing his song Ninakupenda Regina (I love you, Regina), trying to imitate his dance moves by flapping their hands like him. Besides he caught the attention of every passer-by.

The Express: You are famous!
Akil: I thank God for it.

The Express: How do you feel about the adulation?
Akil: I feel nice. It shows that people love you and they like your song. It’s the biggest reward an artiste can get.

The Express: How does your wife feel about it?
Akil: She is a very understanding woman. I had once told her “Wahida (her name), my voice is my only investment and as a singer a lot of people will be calling me, please try to understand that”. She did. She is in fact my biggest support in life.

The Express: Do you have any children?
Akil: A boy and a girl; the boy is five and he plays a keyboard. They both love music just like heir father.

The Express: Have you had any professional training in music or singing in particular?
Akil: Oh no. It’s all just a gift from God. I began singing when I was five. We are two brothers and two sisters at home and we all sing. Before I used to sing in home parties where a few people would gather to have a nice time and few of them would sing, so I would also get an opportunity to sing few songs.
I remember one day I sang a Ghazal (a poetic couplet sung to a rhyme) and people liked it very much. They offered me a lot of money as reward and I thought, “Wow! Singing can be made into a career.”

The Express: What do you do apart from music?
Akil: I am an accountant. I studied that and I worked as an accountant for a few years but music is my first love.

The Express: You are often heard singing in female voice, how do you do that?
Akil: Magic! No. Miracle. No, it’s a gift from God. It’s no big deal, I just tune myself to sing in female voice and I can do it.

Recently, Akil has had to cope with the death of his colleague, Steve 2k, who was said to have been stabbed by a fellow artiste. Steve featured in Akil’s famous music video. Dressed in dhoti, kurta (Punjabi traditional costume for men) and a turban on his head, Steve was much loved for his dance performance, moving his feet to Punjabi tune and techno beats.

The Express: How your partner’s death affected you personally and professionally?
Akil: Personally, it has put me off totally. We did about four songs together and were planning to do some more shooting this month, but now he is gone. Professionally, again I can’t do the shoot without him now until further arrangements.

The Express: When you last saw him did you know it was the last time you are seeing him?
Akil: What a stupid question (with mixed feelings of anger and grief)! How would I know?
He was happy. We were all happy. I don’t know what happened later and now he is dead. (controlling his emotions). He was close to me, I miss him and I’ll always miss him. I don’t think I’ll be able to perform Regina again and not think of Steve.

The Express: We are sorry about your friend’s death.
Akil: It’s okay. We can’t fight God’s will, life goes on.