Meet Akua Allrich

We were lucky to catch up with Akua Allrich recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Akua with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I get my work ethic from my parents. They were born in Mississippi, raised in Miami, and later came to D.C. with an incredible drive, passion, and deep love for family and community. Both sides of my family have strong entrepreneurial roots, and my parents carried that legacy forward with a powerful commitment to African pride, brilliance, education, and self-sufficiency.

Growing up, I watched them build and nurture not just our family but an entire community. They founded an independent school over 50 years ago, created rites of passage programs, and my mother built a medical practice, all with the goal of uplifting the Black community in particular and the larger society in general. Their example taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and serving a vision bigger than myself. Seeing what they accomplished reminds me every day that I, too, am capable of so much more.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a vocalist, musician, and all-around creative spirit! My music is a soulful mix of jazz, blues, and pan-African rhythms, inspired by the rich legacies of my ancestors and the stories of my people. I pour my whole heart into everything I create, always aiming to bring joy, light, freedom, and cultural pride to the forefront.

What excites me most about my work? The magic of live performance! There’s nothing like the energy exchange between an artist and the audience—the laughter, the tears, the call-and-response, the dancing, **THE BAND!** I’m so blessed to make music with incredible musicians who truly bring the music to life. When we play together, it feels like we’re channeling something bigger than us—our ancestors, the Universe, pure creative energy. **Art is the voice of the Universe.** It’s all about connection—bringing people together, lifting spirits, and inspiring each other.

Beyond the stage, I love finding new ways to create. DessiSol by Akua, is my passion project that blends art, wellness, and sustainability. Every product is made with love and intention and paired with music to uplift the spirit. You can check it out at DessiSol.Etsy.com.

And of course, new music is always on the way! I’m currently gearing up for my next **solo live recording at The Hemingway Room in Baltimore on March 21st.** This one is really special—it’s been **10 years** since my last solo release, and I’m beyond excited to share this new chapter with you all.

Stay in the loop—sign up for my newsletter at www.AkuaAllrich.com to keep up with new music, events, and more.

Come vibe with me, and let’s celebrate the power of art together! 🎶

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back on my journey, I’d say the three most impactful qualities and skills that shaped me were listening, trust, and SHEDDING (practicing)!

Listening – This goes beyond just hearing; it’s about being fully present. I listened to a lot of music—different styles, different artists, different eras. I absorb everything I can, learning from the greats and from my peers. Collaboration has also been key. Listening to other musicians, engaging in real conversations and building real relationships has helped me grow in ways I couldn’t have done alone. For those early in their journey, I’d say: immerse yourself in sound. Listen deeply, analyze what moves you, and surround yourself with musicians who push and inspire you, but also, take breaks and give yourself quiet space to reflect on the information you receive.

Trust – Learning to trust myself was and still is a huge lesson. Trusting my spirit, my heart, my instincts, and my inspirations has been a game-changer. In a world full of noise and opinions, it’s easy to second-guess yourself, but the most authentic artistry comes from believing in what you have to offer. My advice to new musicians is to pay attention to what excites you. Honor your creative impulses, even when they seem unconventional, those are the gifts from your ancestors and the Universe. Trust that your unique voice is valuable and deserves to be heard.

SHED! – Practice, practice, practice and preparation is everything. Being prepared gives you freedom, freedom to express, to improvise, to connect. Shedding consistently builds confidence and allows your artistry to flow effortlessly when it’s time to rehearse and most importantly to perform. It also gets you lots of respect. My advice would be make practice a ritual. Focus not just on technical ability but on musicality, storytelling, and expression. The work you put in behind the scenes will always show up when it matters most.

To those starting their journey, stay open, stay disciplined, and trust yourself. Keep listening, keep practicing, and keep creating from the heart and from your spirit.

The last thing I want to add is being respectful of yourself and other people’s time and energy is major. Always treat people with respect and be somebody people want to work with. Strive to be a beacon of light on stage and behind the scenes, and ALWAYS protect your energy and your personal boundaries.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

Over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been gratitude; learning to truly acknowledge and appreciate my successes. It’s so easy to get caught up in the grind, always pushing toward the next goal, that we sometimes forget to recognize how far we’ve already come.

I’ve been working on being more present, celebrating the journey as much as the milestones, and honoring the gifts I’ve been given—the music, the business I’ve built, and the communities I’m honored to be a part of. By shifting my focus to gratitude, I’ve found that I’m more open to receiving the blessings from the Universe that are already unfolding.

Success isn’t just about what’s ahead; it’s also about appreciating what is. This past year has taught me to pause, reflect, and give thanks, knowing that everything I’ve worked for is aligning in its own perfect time. It has truly given me the opportunity to be joyful in my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.akuaallrich.com
• Instagram: @akuaallrich
• Facebook: @akuaallrich
• Youtube: @AKUA79
• Soundcloud: Akua Allrich
• Other: Tiktok – akuaallrich
  fanbase – akuaallrich

Image Credits

Stella Magloire, Agyei Allrich, Garland Hancock