Akari Kalai

There is nothing you could say to Akari to put out the fire in her
soul. Her mysterious and exotic look is utterly intriguing. Like a
venus fly trap she pulls you toward her, but beware, this neo feminist
will not hesitate to kick you in the balls, or more appropriately
execute a flying crane kick to your face with such elegance and
perfection if you blink it might be missed. In pain and wondering if
anyone caught the license plate of the 18 wheeler that just knocked
you over, your only desire will be for more. The girl can barely be
contained on any format. Her music is powerful and refreshing. Like
the true meaning of her name she is a bright shining light, emerging
from dark ravine of talentless acts and pieced together careers.

2 words to describe her: sexy and edgy and the same can be said for
her music. " It's hip hop with rock influence. I'll hear a hard hip
hop beat and add live drums and some sick lead guitar." Akari's
buttery voice combined with these tracks creates an addicting
contrast.

Akari is the apple that hasn't fallen far from the tree. The
Vancouver, British Columbia native is no stranger to music or stage
performance. She grew up in a musical family and at age 3, Akari would
sing while her brother played the guitar. Akari's parents recognized
her talent and she began taking formal dance lessons and studying
classical and popular music at five years old. Akari studied ballet,
jazz, hip-hop dance and piano. Akari creatively combined her love of
dance with Kung Fu and practiced the martial arts each day in her
ballet tutu.

After playing the lead in several high school stage productions and
exhibiting her musical prowess in the school band, Akari went to the
Actors Working Academy in Vancouver which led her to appear in several
major movie productions, During this time she sang background vocals
for Riley Inge of the Temptations and Various local talents in
Vancouver. Akari's beauty, poise and natural stage presence landed her
one of only six modeling positions with the Tommy Hilfiger National
Tour and a three-year recurring modeling spot with Meoshe at the
"MAGIC" show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Akari Kalai was also pictured in
the March 2003 issue of Maxim magazine.

Akari worked as a dancer with a local rap group opening for sean
"Puffy" Combs at Seattle's Kube 93.3 Summer Jam concert. Puffy's road
manager approached Akari about auditioning for New York based R&B
group. Akari earned her position in the group formed by producers
Timbaland and Jimmy Douglas (Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Missy Elliot),
but due to a lack of commitment to superstardom by other group
members, the project fell apart. Timbaland and Jimmy Douglas
recognized Akari as a shining star and encouraged her to pursue her
dreams as a solo artist.

Following her dreams, Akari moved to New York on her own. Not letting
anything stand in her way Akari fought her way through many obstacles.
Teaming up with producers Chris Kelly and Willie Bum Bum (Mario
Winans, Pink, Boys to Men) she recorded her first single "Puppy Dog"
written by Pink. ). "It was during this time that I realized that my
musical styling had evolved.
I grew up listening to everything from Madonna and Micheal to Biggie
and Jay-Z. I am inspired by artists like Pink and Evanescence who's
I-don't-give-a-shit attitudes remind me so much of myself. I love
watching a great live performance like Janet Jackson who's fusion of
dancing/singing and acting blows me away and inspires me to be the
best. "

Most recently she has recorded vocals for various acts such as Pretty
Ricky(Atlantic Records) and Yo Gotti ( TVT Records), along with
singing backup for Brooke Hogan. She has also worked with Hit
producers and writers Scott Storch, Pooh Bear, Cherokee(Arista) and
continues to work with Chris Kelly and other artists to develop her
unique sound in the pursuit of a recording deal.
"I know I am in this game of hurry-up-and-wait, but I am ready for the
world, just have my Manley Gold Reference Mic ready in the booth", she
laughs.

MISS AKARI VIDEO E.P.K (ELECTRONIC PRESSKIT)