Episode 007 : Akrobatik
Listen : Lo-Fi | Shop | Recommendations
Jared Bridgman began rapping in the early 1990s, taking on the MC name Akrobatik later in the decade and releasing three CDs (2000's "The EP," 2003's "Balance" and 2004's "The Lost Adats") and a number of 12" singles in between numerous US and world tours.
Combining the philosophical approach of performers such as KRS-One and Public Enemy's Chuck D, Akrobatik's "Balance" is a perfect audio snapshot of the life of an African-American male in the year 2003, working through the intricacies of life, work, family, morals, and love.
Akrobatik is currently working on the debut album of The Perceptionists, a hip-hop group which features his collaborations with Mr. Lif and DJ Fakts One. Their first CD will be released in Fall 2004 on Definitive Jux Records. They are also heading out on a 32-city tour across the United States from March through May.
In February 2004, I spoke with Akrobatik in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts to discuss:
* what his aspirations were when making "Balance" and why he's not spending any of his time pretending to be a gangster
* why his new disc, "The Lost Adats," is now seeing the light of day
* what is the current state of hip-hop...and where it took a wrong turn
* what's next for Akrobatik, The Perceptionists, and his goals for the coming election season
Photo: Maya Hayuk
Tipper Gore and Clear Channel Executives, you might want to skip this interview.
Songs from Akrobatik featured in the Well-Rounded Radio Interview include:
1) The Hand that Rocks the Cradle (Balance) (in preview)
2) Hypocrite (Balance)
3) SayYesSayWord (The EP)
4) Ruff Enuff (The Lost Adats)
5) Wreck Dem featuring Mr. Lif (Balance)
6) Balance (Balance)
7) Remind My Soul (Balance)
8) EZ Listenin (The Lost Adats)
9) Nightfall (The Lost Adats)
10) Limelight (Balance)
11) Cooler Headz (Balance)
If you like Akrobatik, give a listen to Well-Rounded Radio Interviews with Burnside Project and Ashby.
Akrobatik on Coup d'Etat and Detonator Records available from Coup d'Etat, Undergroundhiphop.com, Fatbeats.com, or Amazon.com.
