Akin

Masterjam

Over the past two and a half decades, Akin has built a well-earned reputation on London’s Soul and Funk underground circuit, both as a club DJ and radio presenter. Known for a discerning musical ear combined with a dancefloor-friendly sensibility, his journey has been shaped by a lifelong passion for Soul, Funk, Disco-Boogie, Jazz-Funk and Jazz-inspired sounds.

Akin’s musical roots can be traced back to his parents’ predominantly Jazz record collection at the family home in Kingsbury, North West London. An impressionable month-long stay in his father’s native Nigeria shortly after starting high school further broadened his musical outlook.

Back in London, Soul and Reggae radio shows on Radio London, Capital and Radio Luxembourg — followed by pirate stations including Radio Invicta, JFM and Horizon — introduced him to an exciting new world of Soul, Disco, Roots Reggae and Jazz-Funk.

London’s vibrant West End Soul, Disco and Jazz-Funk club scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s proved equally influential. Legendary venues including Crackers, the 100 Club, Gossips, Spats, upstairs at The Horseshoe and the Electric Ballroom helped deepen his passion for the music, while the exceptional dancers who frequented those clubs gave rhythmic meaning to the records being played.

Akin first caught the DJ bug as a teenager in 1981, when he was invited to spin at his sixth-form high school disco. His passion initially centred on record collecting and attending concerts by many of his musical heroes, and over the years he amassed both a considerable vinyl collection and an extensive knowledge of the music.

His radio career began in 2007 with a three-year spell at West London station Hot96fm. This was followed by stints at TSOL Radio, Back2Back and Colourful Radio, before a four-year run at Our Salsa Soul Radio. Through these shows, Akin developed a sizeable following among both radio listeners and the growing online podcast audience.

Alongside broadcasting, Akin has remained firmly connected to the dancefloor. He DJs at the popular Funky Stuff monthly club night at The Ritzy Cinema in Brixton alongside Fitzroy “The Soul Survivor” Facey and Leslie Michel.

In late 2023, Akin and fellow club and radio DJ Victor Anderson co-founded Afro-Alternative, a DJ collective and music promotions project. The venture enjoyed a successful launch at the BBE Store in Hackney, adding another chapter to Akin’s long involvement in London’s independent music scene.

His career reached another milestone in 2024 when he made his overseas DJ debut at the week-long Soul In The Algarve event in Portugal.

Now joining Street Sounds Radio, Akin brings decades of musical knowledge, broadcasting experience and club culture to the station. Whether behind the decks, on radio or through today’s online platforms, his philosophy remains the same: to seek out and share the very best in vintage and contemporary Soul, Funk, Disco-Boogie and Jazz-inspired music.