03. akegmaa
- dasgoodstore
- Apr 11
- 4 min read
akegmaa is a young creative exploring his identity through music, an authentic storyteller from the western suburbs of Naarm.
As a multifaceted artist, akegmaa writes, produces, mixes, and masters his own tracks. Constantly in the pursuit of approaching his craft with a raw, unfiltered confidence that allows him to stay true to himself, true to akegmaa.
Who is akegmaa?
Well, that's a great question because I'm still trying to figure it out.
akegmaa is a young artist, he's a writer, he's a young creative just trying to figure out what his message is.
And I think that's the beauty about music. It kinda allows me to tell the story of who I am, what I've seen, what I've been through, where I'm going, what I'm currently going through. When struggling to find the words to say in conversation.
What does music mean to you personally, and how does it shape your life or your identity?
Music means everything.
Ya know, I think music is the only thing that I'm able to point to and say that I'm confident in it. I have the capability to be great at it, or somewhat good at it.
It's a healthy outlet, I think that's how I see it. It's almost the only outlet I know I can 100% rely on.
You’ve used childhood photos for your cover art. What do those images represent, and what do they say about your younger self?
Using my childhood photos in my artwork is a trippy thing of looking at pictures of yourself and not being able to connect with it anymore because you're at a different phase in your life but still having core beliefs, core emotions, core identity, and core memories that stick with you and kind of weave this thread of authenticity from childhood to now.
And also who I'm trying to become as a person helps keep me aligned to my I guess, aspiration of always wanting to remain me. You know, authentically.
Whatever story that is, whatever picture that is, whatever moment this is, I can stand behind it and say it's authentically me.
How do you build confidence in your art and in sharing it with others?
I think when making the song from the beginning, whatever song that is, whatever piece of art it is, I always try to emphasize presence, being present in the moment.
Because that moment carries over to when you're on stage performing in front of people. When you're playing it back on the speakers or when you're playing it around other people.
You kind of have to just have that raw, natural confidence. I made this on my own and I love it so much to the point where I don't mind you guys hearing it.
If you guys like it, you like it, and if you don't, you don't. As long as it's okay with me.
I think that's where the confidence comes from, just knowing my shit is good and knowing that regardless of whether people like it or not, it's me at the end of the day. And as long as I fuck with it, I fuck with it.
How would you describe the aesthetic you’ve developed, and what goes into creating that visual and musical vibe?
It comes from my ability to create every aspect required in the art process on my own. So whether that's making a beat, recording the vocals, mixing or mastering, or making the artwork, I think my ability to do all of these different skills on my own is really what makes it a cohesive art piece or a project.
So when that song comes out, sometimes I have the visuals ready first before I have the soundtrack, or sometimes I'll come up with the soundtrack before I have the visuals. I think working this way allows me to create a cohesive piece at the end.
The vibe is always going to be intimate, low-key, raw, and authentic in an attempt to always be honest, no matter what that truth is.
I think the use of childhood pictures, like we spoke about earlier, is what kind of brings it together. That's why you see childhood pictures and such intimate writing, because that aesthetic goes hand in hand. I think when you see me in person, it kind of resonates with that too.
I'm not a loud, brazen person, and I think you kind of get that vibe. It carries over into the music and the artwork. It's not so in your face. It's mellow, but it's there. I think it commands attention on its own.
Why should people tune in to akegmaa?
I think if you haven't heard of akegmaa, you should listen to him and give him a chance.
If you're a fan of authenticity, if you're a fan of cool shit, just cool art, good beats, good lyrics, good music, cool visuals. You know, someone who's trying to figure themselves out, is a young person, a young twenty something, I think you'd fuck with it. I think you'll like it.
@akegmaa
