Akenya

AKENYA is a multi-genre vocalist, pianist, composer, and arranger. Her music is an eclectic synthesis of jazz, hip-hop, soul, pop, classical, and world music. A proud Chicago native, she has performed and recorded with some of the city&#39;s leading artists such as <a href="spotify:artist:1ybINI1qPiFbwDXamRtwxD" data-name="Smino">Smino</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7Hjbimq43OgxaBRpFXic4x" data-name="Saba">Saba</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:1anyVhU62p31KFi8MEzkbf" data-name="Chance the Rapper">Chance the Rapper</a>, legend <a href="spotify:artist:0cTSCsVx04SSht9V6cpKN0" data-name="Mavis Staples">Mavis Staples</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:1EpyA68dKpjf7jXmQL88Hy" data-name="Noname">Noname</a> who she toured with for years as musical director, background vocalist, keyboardist and opening act.


In the jazz world, Akenya has collaborated with a variety of stars such as <a href="spotify:artist:5bepW5vcdRzheNc0F8lHJ5" data-name="Esperanza Spalding">Esperanza Spalding</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:27DeRe5LjIt9ZPXUjF90h6" data-name="Vijay Iyer">Vijay Iyer</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:1bqaQBqbqbEXPxLF0v6AAH" data-name="Dave Holland">Dave Holland</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:7w7DFqQNjVMW5NRvjM8JPx" data-name="Fred Hersch">Fred Hersch</a>, to name a few. She is a part of the Chicago experimental jazz collective <a href="spotify:artist:4Sl3fpSDeo9cMb3ouKm0rV" data-name="Resavoir">Resavoir</a> as its sole vocalist and main keyboardist. In 2020, she was featured on London based saxophonist <a href="spotify:artist:6O5k8LLRfDK8v9jj1GazAQ" data-name="Nubya Garcia">Nubya Garcia</a>’s critically acclaimed debut album, <a href="spotify:album:5iooBeTrG8wPKMgo7OAOX6" data-name="SOURCE">SOURCE</a>.


Akenya has performed with pop/rock sweetheart <a href="spotify:artist:6Rx1JKzBrSzoKQtmbVmBnM" data-name="Hayley Williams">Hayley Williams</a> of <a href="spotify:artist:74XFHRwlV6OrjEM0A2NCMF" data-name="Paramore">Paramore</a>, who hails Akenya as “one of the best singers I’ve heard in my whole life.”


In 2022, <a href="spotify:artist:4VGngw89iKBOWnqXKYgeNZ" data-name="Palaver Strings">Palaver Strings</a> featured Akenya’s debut chamber-orchestral work, “Fear the Lamb” - a tribute to the life of Emmett Till - on their debut album <a href="spotify:album:7wraKHTsQuh0enRS7S2mcH" data-name="Ready or Not">Ready or Not</a> .


Akenya’s eclectic style and keen musicianship has garnered the attention of publications such as The Fader, Afropunk, and The Chicago Tribune which has heralded her as a “multi-faceted genius.” She has performed her music globally, and is preparing to release her first full length album, Moon in the 4th.