{{Short description|American rapper (born 1987)}} {{Distinguish|Akcent}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Aksent | image = | caption = | image_size = Ak'sent performing in Tokyo, Jappn. | birth_name = Krystle Kantrece Johnson | alias = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1987|05|29}} | death_date = | origin = Los Angeles, California, U.S. | instrument = | genre = Hip hop, R&B | occupation = Rapper, Dancer, Actress | years_active = 2003–Present | label = Capitol (Worldwide and United States, 2003–2006)<br />Avex (Japan only, 2007–2009) | website = {{URL|https://www.facebook.com/TeamAksent/}} }} '''Krystle Kantrece Johnson''' (born May 29, 1987), better known by her stage name '''Ak'Sent''', is an American rapper. She is from Los Angeles, California.
==Early life and career== Ak'Sent grew up quickly thanks to a rough childhood.<ref>[http://www.aksent.com/bio.asp Biography]</ref><ref name="Ak'Sent - Interview Apr 07, 2006 c.05:30-07:15">{{Cite web |url=http://www.djbooth.net/index/interviews/entry/aksent-interview/ |title=Ak'Sent Interview |access-date=2009-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830075719/http://www.djbooth.net/index/interviews/entry/aksent-interview/ |archive-date=2008-08-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Her father was an aspiring rapper caught up in the gang lifestyle and was killed in a gang shooting when she was four years old, and with her mother unable to support her on her own, she was sent to live with her grandparents in South Central, Los Angeles. Ak'Sent was signed to Capitol Records when she was only 16. Since then she has worked with a number of well-known professionals such as The Jugganauts, DJ Quik, & Beenie Man.<ref name="allmusic">{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r828466|pure_url=yes}}</ref> Ak'Sent aims to avoid the glorification of violence and prefers to think of Hip-Hop as a form of "street poetry."<ref name="Ak'Sent - Interview Apr 07, 2006 c.05:30-07:15"/><ref name="raphiphopmusic">Aksent Song Review at raphiphopmusic dot com</ref> Her first album, ''International'', was released on September 26, 2006.<ref name="allmusic"/> She released her second album ''Gem-In-I'' under the Avex label.<ref name="Gem-In-I Japan">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=AVCD-23626|title = GEM-IN-I Ak'SenT CD Album|website = CDJapan}}</ref> It was released on July 16, 2008 in Japan only.<ref name="Gem-In-I Japan"/> She is currently recording her third album and a mixtape.
===Behind the music=== Although Ak'Sent signed to a major label when she was only 16 years old. Adding to her challenges, rap music wasn't allowed in her grandparents' house, but as Ak'Sent learned more about her father's hip-hop aspirations, she decided she should carry on in his honor. She eventually spent time in several R&B-based girl groups and began dance training with Debbie Allen. One showcase at the age of 16 had the young multi-talent signed to Capitol and working with the production duo The Jugganauts. Ak'Sent was especially excited about the Caribbean-styled beats the Jugganauts were working on, and soon she was writing a series of dancehall numbers. One was the future hit "Zingy", featuring guest star Beenie Man, who Ak'Sent herself had chosen because she was a huge fan. Her debut ''International'' landed in 2006 with a remix of "Zingy" and an ode to her departed father titled "My Life".<ref>[http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/bio/aksent/3183826 Biography]</ref>
==Discography== ===Albums=== ;''International'' Release Date: September 26, 2006,<ref name="allmusic"/> Japan Dec 15, 2007<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/7064972/a/international.htm&frm=www.cduniverse.com|title=Ak'Sent - International CD Album Bonus|website=www.cduniverse.com}}</ref> *Professional reviews Allmusic {{Rating|3|5}} [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r828466|pure_url=yes}} link]
'''Track listing''' <ref name="auto"/><br /> Includes bonus track (Japan) # "My Life" # "Zingy" featuring Beenie Man # "Pick Up" # "The Bomb" # "All I Need" # "Sak Passe" # #1 # "If U Were My Baby" # "Be Careful" # "We Rule" # "Krunk Krunk" # "I Gets Down" # "My Peoples" # "Keep It Movin{{'"}} # "International" # "Zingy" featuring Beenie Man & Sinful # "Where I Come From" # "Hold Up" # "Bounce"
;''Gem-In-I'' Release Date: July 16, 2008 (Japan only)<ref name="Gem-In-I Japan"/>
'''Track listing'''<ref name="Gem-In-I Japan"/> # "Stronger" # "Losing Control" # "Big City" # "U So Hollywood" # "Lock Him Down" # "We R The Party" # "Hot Girl" # "Low" # "Crush" # "Sexxxy" # "Can't Say No" # "I Hate Love" # "Hoodhustlin{{'"}} # "Hood Boy"
===Singles=== *"Zingy" featuring Beenie Man was released on March 7, 2006<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r822038|pure_url=yes}} allmusio.com Billboard.com "Zingy" (Featuring Beenie Man).] Retrieved 2010-01-10</ref> *"Losing Control" {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Song ! colspan="1"| Chart positions ! rowspan="2"| Album |- style="font-size:smaller;" ! width="50"| <small>US Rhythmic Top 40</small><ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r828466/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}} allmusio.com Billboard.com ''International'' - Ak'Sent Billboard singles "Zingy".] Retrieved 2010-01-10</ref> |- | rowspan="2"| 2006 | align="left"| "Zingy" | 32 | align="left" rowspan=2| ''International'' |- |}
;Music videos {|class="wikitable" ! Year || Title || Album |- |align="center" rowspan=3| 2006 | "Zingy" featuring Beenie Man |align="center" rowspan=3| ''International'' |- | "All I Need" |- | "I Gets Down" |- |align="center" rowspan=1| 2008 | "Losing Control" |align="center" rowspan=1| ''Gem-In-I'' |}
===Compilation appearances=== *2005 ''Coach Carter (Music from the Motion Picture)'' — "This One"<ref name="Coach Carter...Music From The Motion Picture">{{Cite web|url=https://www.last.fm/music/Various+Artists/Coach+Carter+%252F+Music+From+The+Motion+Picture|title=Coach Carter / Music From The Motion Picture — Various Artists|website=Last.fm}}</ref> **Capitol Records *2007 ''Major Flavours 2'' — "Zingy" [Original Remix]<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1439646|pure_url=yes}} allmusio.com ''Major Flavours 2'' - Various Artists Tracks.] Retrieved 2010-01-10</ref> **Universal Distribution *2009 ''Fame (Original motion picture soundtrack)'' — "This Is My Life"<ref name="Fame Soundtrack">{{Cite web|url=http://thescorecardreview.com/news/2009/08/25/fame-complete-soundtrack-track-listing/5060|title = Fame - Complete Soundtrack Track Listing| date=August 25, 2009 }}</ref> **Lakeshore Records
==Other appearances== *Ak'Sent co-wrote and performed the song "This One" that premiered in the movie ''Coach Carter''.<ref name="Coach Carter...Music From The Motion Picture"/> *She had a part in the 2009 movie ''Fame''.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/_RWqPNE8xFw Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140519004316/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RWqPNE8xFw Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RWqPNE8xFw| title = On the set of Fame | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Her song titled "This Is My Life" is also on the soundtrack. She performs the song with Hopsin, Tynisha Keli, and Donte "Burger" Winston.<ref name="Fame Soundtrack"/> *Ak'Sent was featured on the song "Boyhunter" by Canadian rock star Skye Sweetnam it was featured as a myspace exclusive. *Ak'sent's song "Bounce" was featured on the in-game soundtrack of ''NBA Street V3''. *Ak'sent's song "Pick Up" was featured on the in-game soundtrack of ''Thrillville''. *She was featured in singer Paula DeAnda's song "Clap ta This" from her self-titled album.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.avexnet.or.jp/aksent/index.html Ak'Sent] at Avex Group {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ak'Sent}} Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:American rappers of Mexican descent Category:Rappers from Los Angeles Category:21st-century African-American women rappers Category:21st-century African-American rappers Category:West Coast hip-hop musicians Category:American hip-hop dancers Category:Hispanic and Latino American rappers Category:Spanish-language American singers Category:21st-century American rappers Category:21st-century American women rappers