Meet Anthony Akale

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anthony Akale a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Anthony , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

It didn’t happen overnight, that’s for sure. When finding your purpose, I always tell people it’s not just about what makes you happy. Your purpose should push you past your limits, elevate you to new heights, and constantly challenge you to be your best self. For me, that journey was all about recording and making music.

In the beginning, progress was painfully slow. I’d been into music for most of my life and was pretty tech-savvy, so I figured combining those skills would make mastering a recording program a breeze. I was very wrong. Instead, I faced tons of frustration, to the point where I almost gave up on music production entirely. What brought me back was the decision to record my first song with my buddy Niko, called “Splash.” We started by jamming to beats in the basement of a producer friend. After some freestyles, we each wrote a full verse. When it was time to record, I fell in love with the process instantly. As soon as we finished, I couldn’t wait to do it again. Before long, I was obsessed with the idea of being in the studio, so much so that I couldn’t bear waiting for the next session. That’s when I took matters into my own hands, teaching myself and soaking up as much knowledge as I could. I had the equipment; now it was about getting the best possible sound out of it.

I’d learn something new and immediately apply it to a track I’d just recorded. This cycle repeated over and over. I watched countless videos of people doing the same thing. You’d think hearing the same info on repeat would get old, but instead, it fueled my excitement. It felt like I was truly doing what I was meant to do. The feeling was nothing short of amazing.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a recording artist known as T The Pharaoh. I’m 25 years old, based in Madison, WI, and I’ve been recording and making music professionally for almost six years. I’ve had the privilege of opening for acts like Three 6 Mafia, Yung Joc, Too Hype Crew, and more.

My journey with music has been a wild ride. I’ve done everything from securing a slot in a talent competition in Orlando FL, becoming a little brother to one of the hottest upcoming DJs in the Midwest, to driving up to MN on a whim to meet with an artist who owned a small studio. Through it all, the best part has been the music that has come out of it. The music I create is in the moment, reflecting the experiences and surroundings of my life. The Weeknd is my favorite artist, so while many people consider me a rapper, my style is very melodic, mixing in pop elements to create a unique sound.

My goal is to take music to its next evolution. When I make a song, I want it to resonate so deeply with listeners that it almost hurts. Whether it’s the lyrics, the flow with the beat, the instruments, or the whole package, I aim to create music that moves people. For the future you can expect more music, more videos, and content overall.

You can find all my information online—just Google “T The Pharaoh,”. ALSO, mark your calendars for 06/21! On that date, my newest single, “Super Sonic (SS),” will be out on all platforms! This will be the second release from my upcoming project, “1307,” coming in August. Stay tuned!!!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Communication– Time is money so you need to know how to say as much as possible in as little time as possible. Also, know to how to clearly communicate what it is your looking for or trying to do.

Organization- Lots of information & opportunities get dealt with in this industry and sometimes people forget to do things. Having stuff like phone numbers, PRO information, and music files all in an organized fashion so they can be accessed at any time makes you look reliable.

Adaptability- Shit hits the fan all the time in this industry, and you have to be able to roll with the punches when they come if you want survive.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

My mom has a saying, “Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People ALWAYS do”.

When life gets too much or I just get in my head, I go for a drive while bumping music. Come back, lock myself in the studio, and listen to more music. Then I just look at where I am in life and remember that I got myself here from a bad situation before already. If I can do it once, I can do it again.

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