Ak'Sent


Krystle Kantrece Johnson, better known by her stage name Ak'Sent, is an American rapper. She is from Los Angeles, California.

Early life & career

Ak'Sent's father Charles Johnson is of African-American descent, while her mother Magali Padilla is of Mexican descent. Ak'Sent grew up quickly thanks to a rough childhood. 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. Ak'Sent aims to avoid the glorification of violence and prefers to think of Hip-Hop as a form of "street poetry." Her first album, International, was released on September 26, 2006. She released her second album Gem-In-I under the Avex label. It was released on July 16, 2008 in Japan only. 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, her African-American/Latino background had her wondering where to fit in. Adding to her challenges, rap music wasn't allowed in her grandparent's 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 Spanish-language remix of "Zingy" and an ode to her departed father titled "My Life".

Discography

Albums

;International
Release Date: September 26, 2006, Japan Dec 15, 2007
Allmusic
Track listing


Includes bonus track
  1. "My Life"
  2. "Zingy" featuring Beenie Man
  3. "Pick Up"
  4. "The Bomb"
  5. "All I Need"
  6. "Sak Passe"
  7. #1
  8. "If U Were My Baby"
  9. "Be Careful"
  10. "We Rule"
  11. "Krunk Krunk"
  12. "I Gets Down"
  13. "My Peoples"
  14. "Keep It Movin
  15. "International"
  16. "Zingy" featuring Beenie Man & Sinful
  17. "Where I Come From"
  18. "Hold Up"
  19. "Bounce"
;Gem-In-I
Release Date: July 16, 2008
Track listing
  1. "Stronger"
  2. "Losing Control"
  3. "Big City"
  4. "U So Hollywood"
  5. "Lock Him Down"
  6. "We R The Party"
  7. "Hot Girl"
  8. "Low"
  9. "Crush"
  10. "Sexxxy"
  11. "Can't Say No"
  12. "I Hate Love"
  13. "Hoodhustlin
  14. "Hood Boy"

    Singles

;Music videos
YearTitleAlbum
2006"Zingy" featuring Beenie ManInternational
2006"All I Need"International
2006"I Gets Down"International
2008"Losing Control"Gem-In-I

Compilation appearances