Akiyo

The story so far.

Written and edited by Smokiller

Akiyo is a carnival group and cultural movement whose music runs on boula and maké ka drums rather than the plastic containers once common in street parades. Around 1978, the Nankin brothers and friends who loved gwoka, including the drummer known as Vélo, set out to rework Guadeloupe's carnival, swapping satin and sequins for masks and traditional skin drums. The group became a registered association in 1984 and has kept a militant line ever since, with lyrics that tackle repression, colonialism, war and local social problems. A stage version, Akiyo Mizik, first performed in 1988 with around 80 musicians. The debut album Mémoires followed in 1992 on Korosol Music, then Mouvman in 1993 and Dékatman in 1996. Akiyo joined Kassav' as a guest at the Stade de France in May 2009 and has worked several times with Admiral T. On streaming services, Joé and Neg are good entry points.