Akenya

AKENYA is a multi-genre vocalist, pianist, composer, and arranger. Her music is an eclectic synthesis of jazz, hip-hop, soul, pop, classical, and world music. A proud Chicago native, she has performed and recorded with some of the city's leading artists such as Smino, Saba, Chance the Rapper, legend Mavis Staples, and Noname who she toured with for years as musical director, background vocalist, keyboardist and opening act.


In the jazz world, Akenya has collaborated with a variety of stars such as Esperanza Spalding, Vijay Iyer, Dave Holland, and Fred Hersch, to name a few. She is a part of the Chicago experimental jazz collective Resavoir as its sole vocalist and main keyboardist. In 2020, she was featured on London based saxophonist Nubya Garcia’s critically acclaimed debut album, SOURCE.


Akenya has performed with pop/rock sweetheart Hayley Williams of Paramore, who hails Akenya as “one of the best singers I’ve heard in my whole life.”


In 2022, Palaver Strings featured Akenya’s debut chamber-orchestral work, “Fear the Lamb” - a tribute to the life of Emmett Till - on their debut album Ready or Not .


Akenya’s eclectic style and keen musicianship has garnered the attention of publications such as The Fader, Afropunk, and The Chicago Tribune which has heralded her as a “multi-faceted genius.” She has performed her music globally, and is preparing to release her first full length album, Moon in the 4th.