SnooP Ra: Hi Ako, can you introduce yourself to those who are new to Turkish rap? Ako: Hi Suikast (the most old-school Turkish rap site!) I started rapping in 2004 with the support of Olympos and so far I have 4 underground albums that my name is on: 3406 Project, Venus Pleasures, Ownerless Tracks, Deja Vu EP!
Snoop Ra: Yes, Venus Pleasures was a great album, an album that should be in the archives. How did you decide to make it?

Ako: It was an album finished around the end of December 2005. We had set a very emotional concept with my friends at the time. Can Ka, Frekans, and C-it helped with the beats, thank you very much. I send my regards to them as well. Of course, the work we do now is very different, but considering the possibilities at that time, it was a good album, yes. Also, you can see examples of double and line rhymes in the Venus Pleasures album; these were things that weren't very well understood back then.

Snoop Ra: In Canka, there are successful people, and at c-it, how did you meet them? Will we see you working with them on new projects?

Ako: Of course, they're both very dear friends of mine. C-IT is a true rap man, someone who lives in the French ghettos, so his perspective on rap is very different. I think he's also a bit misunderstood in Turkey because 90% of rappers either come from a group of arrogant, detached people or are ignorant. As for Cankaya, we have a very special kind of closeness! He'll always be one of the people who will remain my friend, and we'll always be doing new things together, like a featuring Snoop Ra on Kurşun's last album. Ra: Ako, when will you release an album or are you considering a licensed release?

Ako: Yes, I'm currently working on my official album. The beats and lyrics are finished, and I've also done demo recordings. After the holiday, we'll be recording again in Istanbul with DJ One. Almost all the beats on the album belong to DJ One from West Soul Brothaz. There are also 2 beats from my friend MK from Olympos. You can be sure it will be a very high-quality album. Unfortunately, there won't be many featuring artists on the album because, since it's my first album, I want to have as many solo tracks as possible. I will do many more featuring artists with my friends on later albums. This album will only feature Killah Priest from Wu Tang affiliates and a few people from West Soul Brothaz.

SnooP Ra: How did you get in touch with them?

Ako: I met DJ One about a year ago. He said he really liked our site, MsXLabs, and that's how we met : ), I also met Priest aka Killah Priest through his mentorship. He's a great name on the album, a positive development for Turkish rap... Thanks to you, we're opening up to the world, I hope more people achieve this! I have a favorite song of yours, I'm sure there are others who like you, and the song with Canka, Marifet Gerek, could you tell us about the genesis of this song? You're presenting us with a very unique style there.

Thanks for your kind wishes, of course it will be achieved! As long as they don't become detached from society, rappers can achieve anything! :) Yes, I've done many different vocal styles in the underground scene, but I've finally established a few styles. I already used two of them in the song you mentioned: a slightly guttural, brutal vocal in the chorus and a quieter, guttural verse.

SnooP Ra: I have similar works to that track that will also be on the album.
What do you mean by "detached from society"? Actually, you're right, but I think the Turkish people haven't fully understood rap yet, or those who do think we're talking about women, which is very wrong; we have nothing to do with that.

Ako: No, it's not wrong, because as you said, the reason they still haven't understood is because of us! We need to reconsider what the rappers are talking about! Writing good lyrics doesn't give anyone the right to act like a medieval philosopher : ). Also, to be honest, I don't understand the diss battles in Turkish rap. It's a fight over a cake that doesn't even exist, it's impossible to understand. I try to be as humane as possible with everyone, the kids need to mature a bit more, of course they're in different worlds right now.
But you can't do this by isolating yourself from society. The best-selling rap in the world is ghetto rapid, of course, and you have to do it properly. Yes, and sometimes I see that in many cities there are those who use the bad aspects of rap, for example, there's no need for it (like weed), but they understand this when they lose some things over time.
Yes, that's what imitation is all about! I see people combining baggy jeans, baggy t-shirts, and weed (or cigarettes if they can't find any) imagining themselves in the movie "How High," and their behavior is hilarious : )
A real rapper should take care of their health, otherwise they might die of AIDS like Eazy E. (RIP) : )

SnooP Ra: I want to go back to Ako's work. Ako is working with Olympos Records. Are you thinking of opening your own studio and hiring MCs?

Ako: I work with Olympos, but I'm not one of the Olympos MCs. My path led through there, and I've never lost touch with my friends. However, due to the difference in location, even though we're trying to do something as much as possible, it's not at the level we want. Therefore, I'm not an Olympos MC, but that's where my roots are! I have my own studio, and I work with very professional equipment.

SnooP Ra: What features should the MCs you buy have?

Ako: Regarding the topic of MC, I've walked the earth enough, moved around a lot, gained a lot of experience, and I'm where I want to be right now. I won't close my door to anyone, but in terms of a relationship, I'm not doing anything with anyone other than West Soul Brothaz.

SnooP Ra: Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Have you ever made a mistake? What would you like rappers to pay attention to?

Ako: Yes, I've made mistakes. I advise rappers that if they value my words, it will be good for them, believe me! First of all, they should do a lot of research, be very knowledgeable, constantly improve themselves, take good care of themselves, and one more thing, even if you respect someone very much, don't let them hurt you, always hold your head high!

SnooP Ra: Yes, respect is important not only in rap but also in everyday life. Lately, there's been a division in Ankara and other cities, and I'm very much against it. Strength comes from unity. What are your thoughts?

Ako: You're right, of course, that's what I've been saying from the beginning. There's a fight over a cake that doesn't even exist, and this wears people down for nothing. Let's move on from this. Being together is good. In this universe, there's only one status, and that's the status where everyone is equal in the presence of God! I think the reason for divisions is childish and naive thinking. I've never dealt with such things before, and I never will!

What do you think about the SnooP Rapeki diss incident? If someone dissed you, would you respond immediately, or what kind of MC would the other person have to be for you to write a response?

SnooP Ra: No, like I said : ) I'm definitely not interested in dissing each other right now. I'm all for this! Instead of devouring each other like cannibals, let's create a pot of food that everyone can eat from, so everyone benefits!

SnooP Ra: I want to talk about the upcoming album. Have you signed with a company? When are you planning to release it?

Ako: No, I don't have a deal yet, in terms of distribution. The beats were made by DJ One from West Soul Brothaz, and I'll be recording with them. We'll see after that, but I'm not worried about it. You'll get this album in 2007, I'm sure!

SnooP Ra: Besides album work, will you have any other projects? What else can Turkish rap fans expect?

Ako: Yes, I'm working on it. I'll release a short EP with some of the tracks I've accumulated. Of course, we won't forget the underground scene after the album comes out. I'll always stay that way. Those who know what we've been through will understand me : )

SnooP Ra: When is it coming out? I'm so impatient! What kind of rap style awaits rap fans?

Ako::There will be some collaborations with my friends, and a few tracks you may have heard on their albums before. I'll give you a short summary because I'm working on this overground album, but I'll offer more substantial material later, of course.
SnooP Ra:Ako, why do rappers become friends one day and enemies the next?

Ako: Honestly, I don't know. It would be best to ask the people involved. I don't like those who spread animosity! Fuck Haterz : )

SnooP Ra: Let's hear your final words, Ako, you know the New Year and holidays are coming up.
Ako: Happy New Year to all rappers! Greetings to Assassination, Snoop Ra, my friend AgaB from Ankara, West Soul Brothaz and Dj One, my longtime brother Neutralizer (Admin of MsXLabs Site), Olympos MCs and Başar, all the bros at gencgrafik and my webmaster Cihan!
Sending my regards! Word Up!