Melb Artist-Turned-Marvel Star AKOSIA Talks 'Thor' & Empowering Through Creativity

Melbourne-based soul-pop artist AKOSIA is back. Her latest release, Go marks the Ghanian-born singer-songwriter’s fifth single, since debut song Don’t Say in 2019. Produced by Rob Amoruso, the track returns to what AKOSIA fans are familiar with, heavy themes combined with upbeat music, to create a carefree song with a clear message.

“That realisation you sometimes believe the lies that were told to you to make you feel small to stay in an unhealthy relationship or non-healthy environment,” AKOSIA says of Go.

“But then you have a realisation where it's like, I actually have everything I need, I don't need you to give me all these things that you say that I'm dependent on you for. I’ve got all that I need.”

Another single is due in August, she recently supported Miiesha on tour and now AKOSIA promises exciting news is imminent on what will be ahead later in 2022 (an EP or album perhaps?) and to show she is more than what she has been defined as sometimes. 

“It's not always about bad relationships or situations or circumstances,” she enthuses. “I have a new project that I'm working on, exploring sensuality, sorrow and all the evolution that we all undergo. There's a song I wrote a couple months ago that's just more about enjoying being with someone that you care about. And it's more of a banger, a party song.

“People like to say, ‘AKOSIA is a neo soul, R&B or soul artist,’ and I am those things. But I also write pop, house, and music that is perfect for scores and films. For me, genres are all about articulating a message and mood. When I write, I'm not thinking, ‘Oh, it must be this.’ It's like, ‘What is the best channel or avenue for this song to sort of come to life?’”

And it won’t just be music that will grab your attention. AKOSIA is on the big screen, in Marvel blockbuster Thor: Love & Thunder as Goddess Bastet (also known as Bast), a warrior panther goddess, first mentioned by T'Challa (the late Chadwick Boseman) in Captain America: Civil War and shown in Black Panther. Something she has had to keep under wraps, despite online rumours, since filming wrapped two years ago.

“I'm really, you know, excited that I can now finally talk about this, and everyone gets to see this incredible film,” she says. “I'm still pinching myself and I'm just so grateful. It's the first time I've been on a really big blockbuster set. My character is the goddess of protection, pleasure and also brings good health. In human form, she has the avatar of being with a cat head but also the body of a woman. That took hours of prep to transform me into this absolutely beautiful deity. And it's so iconic. Bast is essentially like the original goddess.” 

AKOSIA has been immersed in performing since her childhood and initially worked as an electrical engineer before becoming an actor and singer-songwriter. She also recently starred in Netflix mini-series Clickbait – one of the most streamed during late 2021 – will acting or music take priority in future?

“My dream is to continue to do both as much as possible. I'm always working really hard on projects. I'm always writing music. And I'm always moved by movies. And I read a lot of books. All of these things are interconnected. I would love to write a score for film. I've written songs that are more in that sort of cinematic genre.”

Musically, AKOSIA has worked with Grammy-nominated producers like Willie Tafa (Ariana Grande, Ella Mai) and among her biggest songwriting inspirations are Sade and H.E.R., for their beautifully truthful approach.

“I write things in a way where, even though sometimes the lyrics might be a little bit hard, I wrap it with love. I'm very lucky that I get to work with a lot of producers that are switched on and able to not only understand my vision but elevate the music a lot more than I could have by myself.”

AKOSIA describes her method of crafting songs as ‘3D art’ - intentional singing, songwriting and production, with visuals – as demonstrated in her music videos, wearing designs by fashion icons like Simon-Hartman and Jason Gretch, or working with directors like Ntombi Moyo on her first single Don’t Say as well as appreciating the contribution and collaboration that local creatives on home turf - in Melbourne – have provided.

“I created a very beautiful piece of art with Ntombi and together we were able to come up with this amazing idea. I think it took us seven days to shoot it. It was a big moment to celebrate black beauty, sisterhood.” 

“Sometimes when people look at my music videos, they are surprised that I'm from Melbourne. But there's so much untapped talent here, we don't really need to outsource it anywhere else.”

That recognition of local talent extends to music artists both in Melbourne and across the country. She would love to work with Ghanian-Australian artists like Blessed, Genesis Owusu or Brisbane-based up-and-comer Yb., while there are a number of emerging and current female artists who have caught her listening attention, like Milan Ring, Olivia Escuyos, Madame3Empress, PANIA and Sully.

“I really admire the talent that we have in terms of rappers in Melbourne. Australia as well. There's a lot of rappers that I'd be so keen to work with. I think I want to see more women. There's not a lot of us who are really elevated and embraced in the same way or with the same energy as men. I love the ideas that men bring and the music that they create, but it'd be great to have a bit more of a balance.

“And not just women. More queer music, art and ideas would be great as well. There's this cool scene developing in Melbourne of Vogue dancers like House of Silky. And they're amazing, I'd love to hear more of their artists come through, perform and bring fresh ideas. 

“I'd love to see more funding for local, independent artists, people who might be part of minorities who may not be signed to labels because without the money, it's really difficult to create your vision in the way that you'd really want it to.”

AKOSIA is also grateful for the support she has, both professionally and personally and like her approach to songwriting, has wrapped any good or tough experiences, whether in navigating the music industry or personal life, in love and positivity.

“The music industry isn't something that is based entirely on merit. I think sometimes it's more about how much do you want it? How are you able to pivot your mind into looking at the music industry as the game it is and I don't like saying that, but it kind of is a game.

“I do know that the music industry does seem to take notes. For example, Sampa The Great has opened a lot of doors for a lot of African artists like myself and Kaiit as well. It's like that kind of music initially wasn't embraced. And those two artists are absolutely phenomenal. Like they're just once-in-a-lifetime artists but it took time for the industry to accept them, when really, they should have just walked straight through.”

Thinking of that rich diversity in Australia’s music scene, AKOSIA reflects on her own journey, moving at the age of two with her parents to grow up in a close-knit community in suburban Melbourne.

“Some of my first memories are being here in Australia. And it was just one of those sort of disorienting things because I never really felt that I was different, until it was made very clear to me that I was. That is difficult to process because on one hand, my parents were telling me that I'm beautiful. Being Black is such an honour, a thing of power and beauty and we celebrated my Ghanaian culture at home but in public, who I was, was not good enough.”

Taking on board navigating the music industry, increasingly giving a platform in the Australian scene for underrepresented voices and just being able to carve out a space as an individual, beyond the limits of identity and genres, AKOSIA sees a clear path for her vision.

“Have you seen Disney-Pixar film Soul? It's really incredible. There's this moment where an artist’s playing an instrument and all this spirit rises up and they're in this space where everything just makes sense. That's the place I like to write from, because that's the place where I feel like truth comes out.

“There's plenty of artists out there and everyone has written a song about everything already. It's about bringing a fresh idea that can really touch someone else's life in a way they weren't able to experience before. Because I write most things based on an experience I have, it's actually me sharing myself with my audience, inviting them into my world. That's what I'm very excited to do.”