Music > Live Reviews

Akua Naru

Norwich Arts Centre

20/05/17

No Comply Hip Hop Festival have hit the Arts Centre with full hip hop force this week, bringing Hip Hop/Jazz Queen Akua Naru to Norwich.

Immediately entering the venue it was clear, tonight was going to be an intimate night of poetry and jazz.

First on stage was the beautiful Maya Law, local girl who’s been absolutely smashing the local music scene over the past year. Just one girl and her guitar, Maya’s voice is truly wonderful and fills the room beautifully.

After a short break it was time for the main event of the evening. The band enters the stage first, drummer and pianist positioned at the front of the stage with guitar, bass and sax at the back. The band were truly phenomenal, the energy they had on stage and the vibes they shared between them lead to a funky soulful jam and Akua Naru entered the stage, barefoot and immediately ready to stun the crowd. Her stage presence was amazing - she took the crowd on a personal journey through music, it felt as if she was showing us a real piece of her. An invitation to see a little of this strong woman’s soul. The whole crowd was enchanted by Akua, she played all the beautiful songs and poetry I wanted to hear including Nag Champa and How Does it Feel. It was truly beautiful and she took time to call out each member of the band for a solo which is an important thing especially when the band gives so much to the performance.

It was a wonderful experience, I don’t often get the chance to watch hip hop with a live band but when it does happen it is magical. Akua's lyricism is so delicately written and her voice like syrup over the music makes for an overwhelming performance.

‘If love had a sound, well this would be that sound…and we would be the band to play it’ - Akua Naru