Akeem Ali Is Betting On Himself With The Texture Tour

2 days ago 2

Source: Reach Media / other

Akeem Ali Talks Texture Tape 3, Lou Williams and Military Past

Mississippi’s own Akeem Ali visited The Morning Hustle and covered his new project, his road from the military to the stage, and why he’s betting on himself.

Singer or Rapper?
Ali said he feels more comfortable singing, but he’s a better rapper. Singing, he explained, carries a nostalgia and emotion that bars can’t always reach. Kyle Santillion called Texture Tape 3 “phenomenal,” pointing to its late ’80s and early ’90s R&B vibe. Ali credits studying greats like Guy, Bobby Brown and New Edition.

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The Texture Concept
The series came together through serendipity. Songs like “Suede,” “Muslin” and “Polyester Freestyle” are named after fabrics, each one reflecting different shades of Black people. Ali wrote “Yarn” in his car for his daughter. A FaceTime recording of her at age two opens the track.

Akeem’s Top 10 Rapper’s List

On his Top 10 list, Ali’s picks reflect the era he came up in: Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Drake, Wale, Big K.R.I.T., Eminem, Big Sean, and himself. Notably absent is Andre 3000, despite frequent comparisons between the two. Ali acknowledged the influence but explained that his list is shaped by the artists he grew up listening to in real time — legends he couldn’t fully experience as a kid simply don’t make the cut.