Big Picture Press has signed rapper and poet Akala for a three-book deal.
Kingslee James Daley is better known as Akala- a political activist, rapper, and poet. His recent appearances in interviews and on BBC Question Time has gained him fierce support from many British people, as well as some opposition from right-wing voters. His first non-fiction children’s book, yet to be titled, will be an illustrated history of human brilliance and achievement, highlighting under-reported stories from around the globe.
Photo credit: Ben Pugh
Speaking in a statement to the press Akala said:
“Growing up I was lucky enough to be a beneficiary of the Pan-African ‘Saturday school’ movement where I learned very early that there were countless examples of human brilliance and achievement that fell outside of mainstream historiography, thus I am extremely excited to be working on a collection of books for young people that focus on lesser known examples of human achievement from all around the world throughout all of history.”
Akala has also signed to Hodder Childrens for a “magical realist Shakespearean series”., which sounds very exciting for us Shakespeare fans, and fans of the British rapper.
In May Akala will publish his memoir Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire, telling stories from his own life, from moments of every day racism he experienced as a child, to the time he realised his mother was white. The book covers everything from education to politics, police to sexual objectification.
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