Aktapuss
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Album Summary
Akinyele came back with a vengeance in 1999, dropping 'Aktapuss' through Stress Records at a time when New York underground hip-hop was fighting hard to hold its ground against the rising tide of shiny suit rap. Produced with that gritty, raw East Coast sensibility that Akinyele had been building since his early days coming up under the Loud Records umbrella, this album found him leaning hard into explicit, unfiltered lyricism — the kind of street-level wordplay that made heads in New York nod with deep respect. The timing of this release put it right in the thick of the late-90s New York rap resurgence, and Akinyele brought every bit of that hunger and edge to the recording sessions, delivering a project that felt like a man with something serious to prove.
Reception
- The album found its strongest footing in underground hip-hop circles, where Akinyele's sharp lyricism and unapologetic delivery earned him credibility among New York rap purists.
- Mainstream chart visibility was limited, as the album was positioned squarely for the hardcore hip-hop audience rather than crossover radio play.
- Critics who followed the New York underground scene recognized 'Aktapuss' as a solid entry in Akinyele's catalog, appreciating his consistency as a lyricist even as the commercial landscape was shifting.
Significance
- Released at the tail end of the 1990s, 'Aktapuss' stands as a document of the New York underground's stubborn refusal to soften its edges during a period when mainstream hip-hop was moving toward a more polished, radio-friendly sound.
- Akinyele's unapologetically explicit and lyrically dense approach on this album helped cement his reputation as one of New York's most raw and uncompromising MCs of his era.
- The album reflects the independent and semi-independent label ecosystem that sustained hardcore East Coast rap in the late 90s, representing an important chapter in how the underground kept its identity alive outside of major label infrastructure.
Tracklist
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A1 Get Up 126
4:12
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A2 P***y Make The World Go Round —
4:41
-
A3 Butt Naked 94
4:07
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A4 Take A Lick 97
3:30
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A5 Coochie 92
4:15
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B1 Three 98
4:55
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B2 Sister, Sister 173
3:20
-
B3 How Do You Feel 98
3:45
-
B4 Sky's The Limit 85
4:24
-
B5 Juan Valdez, Love 92
4:04
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C1 Sex In The City 96
4:03
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C2 Ak Da Hoe 87
2:50
-
C3 Really Love Me 95
3:28
-
C4 Down South 84
5:44
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C5 Messin' With My Cru 91
3:53
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D1 Sha La La 171
3:55
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D2 Rather F*** You —
2:49
-
D3 N****s & Bitches —
3:58
-
D4 Put It In Your Mouth 81
3:20
Artist Details
Akinyele is a raw and unfiltered hip-hop MC out of Queens, New York, who burst onto the rap scene in the early 1990s with a gritty, street-level style that put him firmly in the tradition of New York hardcore rap. He made his mark with tracks like "Put It In Your Mouth" in 1996, a provocatively explicit single that became one of the most recognizable records of the era and demonstrated his ability to blend raunchy humor with sharp lyricism. Though he never reached superstar status, Akinyele's unapologetic realness and distinct Queens flavor made him a respected underground figure whose influence lingered in the corners of hip-hop culture long after the spotlight moved on.
