A rap artist who hails from Puerto Princesa is one of the latest recording and contract artists of Ivory Records, one of the Philippines biggest independent record companies that gives break to the likes of April Boy Regino, The Company, MYMP and many others.
Akira or Sonny Lucion signed a 3-year contract with Ivory to release all his music in different platforms, three of his own compositions are already posted by Ivory in their online channel. The first one was “Napeke” that features Braduz Koponan ni Batute, second single is “Simple” Ft. Xylein Herrera of the The Voice Kids. And the recent “Simbolo” Ft. Respi and Xylein as uploaded last April 19.
Lucion in our interview said that it took him months before getting the approval of the management of Ivory Music and Video company to get him as their artist. He submitted an audition rap song thru Akuma, a friend and a former sound engineer of Ivory who first see his potential to go mainstream.
“Almost 6 months ang waiting, one day tumawag sa akin at yun, presto, nakapasa kami. Pumunta kami ng Manila ni Midnyt for contract signing, for 3 years sa Ivory Records,” Akira said.
Akira is the head of Rap Familia, a local rap organization in Palawan that promotes hip hop and rap music. He personally created the said group way back in 2003 after his stint as back up to the late Zaldy Zhirkan in a local song writing competition where they won first place for the song “Bisyo”, a campaign material against the use of illegal drugs. He also became member of J2B, King and Turgo and Bug & Root band.
“Ako po ang team captain at tinayo ko sya late 2003-2005 at nagpahinga ako, after 8 years bumalik ako at naghanap ulit ng bagong grupo at binuo ko ulit sya, rap group/band,” Lucion said.
Akira was an economics major from Western Philippines University. His music deals with relationship and describing the good life living in Puerto Princesa and in Palawan, as well, as reflected in his latest music video, “Simbolo” that was directed by Job Robrigado of Purple Music Lente.
Akira influence includes Andrew E, Hiphop Culture Ghetto Doggs and Mad Battalion of Navotas. He chose the name Akira due to the mystery of it. “A name came from Japanese character po sa movie na napanood ko before, nagandahan ako kasi parang napaka misteryosong indibidwal na maraming kakayahan at madaming puedeng matuklasan, sa pagkatao at simbolo ng katapangan, at may determinasyon,” Lucion said in closing.
Akira joined Maja Salvador, Carlo Aquino, AC Bonifacio, Sharlene San Pedro and other indie artists throughout the country as the new breed of roster by Ivory Music. His music is available in iTunes, Spotify and other platforms online.