State of the Nation: An evening with Akala (Birmingham)
all credits:
B:Music
published: December 2025
Step into an unflinching night of truth, history and hope with one of Britain’s most formidable voices, Akala.
A BAFTA/MOBO award winning hip-hop artist, best-selling author, historian and social entrepreneur, Akala has garnered a reputation for deftly unpacking the forces that shape modern British culture and politics.
Bringing together razor-sharp intellect, street-hardened honesty, and lyrical prowess, he will discuss the landscape at this critical inflection point — a Britain still haunted by colonial legacy, structural inequality and class divisions, but is it also a Britain capable of awakening, reimagining and real social change?
Drawing from his No.2 Sunday Times bestselling book Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire, his renowned musical, broadcast, academic and international cultural exchanges, Akala promises an evening of hard-hitting insights, deeply felt stories, sharp analysis and urgent calls for solidarity.
Featuring special guests – join this event for an evening for the curious, sceptical or determined mind... this event promises to be an immersive exploration of the current State of the Nation.
