With heavy influences from Western music, Ahmed Valdes, with the stage name Akuna, is a singer, rapper, and songwriter from Cuba. His music style is heavily rooted in Latin trap, drill, and reggaeton. Akuna started writing music when he was 14, and he recorded his first song the same year. Over time, he has established his name as an undeniable talent in Cuba, and he has shown that he is ready to become a force to reckon with in the competitive industry.
Akuna’s lyrical prowess is second to none, and the words in his lyrics evoke strong emotions conveying powerful messages. His unique talent has given him some relevance in the industry as he works hard to become known in the mainstream global music industry. Akuna showcases his knowledge on societal issues in his songs, and virtually all his lines have a bit of punch line and wordplay in them, all of which have earned him the nickname Bùho (Owl) from his fans.
Akuna’s desire to be a musician has always been strong from a young age. He listened to a lot of hardcore rap from the likes of Tupac, Biggie, 50 Cent, and the young rapper, Pop Smoke, who was murdered recently. These were global stars that influenced a lot of rappers from every part of the world, including Cuba. They are the inspiration behind his music and the kind of musician he is today. Akuna is the first Latin trap artist to make a UK drill in the United States.
He is the musical mind behind the singles “Hibrido,” “Mala Paga,” “Frio,” “La R,” “Sugar Daddy,” “Estamo Bien,” and “Buho,” among many others. He has recently dropped his newest single titled “TELEPATÍA,” released last October 30, 2020. “TELEPATÍA” is a New York drill, Pop Smoke-style of music.
The buck does not end at just music for Akuna. He wants to do a lot more for the global society than just entertain the people. His primary goal is to become successful as a musician, but that is only a means to an end for him. The bigger picture for him is to become successful and be able to have a significant impact on other people who aren’t privileged to get life-changing opportunities. In his words, “I see myself a very successful artist helping young artists achieve their dreams. And serving those that need help the most through my organizations.”
He plans to set up organizations that will empower people to pursue their dreams and provide the resources to do so. Making music is one of the things he enjoys most, and putting himself out as a brand for more people to know about him is a first step in the right direction for him, especially since he is trying to get into the American music scene. And as his journey into mainstream music begins, he hopes to release chart-topping songs and collaborate with the global music stars.
Learn more about Akuna on his website and YouTube channel.
