reading time: 6min

The “Artist Of The Moment” installment - series here at Delayed was born out of the intention to acknowledge and appreciate artists whose works withstand time and who may be seen as lighthouses, inspirations, or even institutions by many listeners or fellow artists. Akua Grant, better known under their aliases Lady Blacktronika and Femanyst, is potentially one of the best examples to fit this theme. A longstanding force in producing House Music and for a few years Industrial Techno, too, a sharp and brutally honest vocalist and skilled DJ - the connection between all their fields of play is an expressive, bold sound that makes no compromises and sets to music the notions of anger, fear, fight and emancipation. This year sees a few releases under their alias Lady Blacktronika, such as the EP “Overdose” on STEP Recordings earlier this spring, and we caught up with Akua for the occasion.

Hi Akua! We are catching you right in the middle of the move from Berlin back to California, where you were born. How does that feel? 
I actually left in July 2020 due to the pandemic. California is where I was born and raised, but Berlin, I like to say, is my new hometown. I miss it so much. 

Looking back at your time in Berlin, what stuck most with you?
In Berlin, I learned what real freedom and acceptance was. It’s so uncommon to have people concerned about gossip or be overly concerned with what other people think of them. It was super impressive to me that looks mean so little to people in Berlin as compared to the US. Not to mention the total immersion in dance culture that is unique to the city. 

The release of your latest EP “Overdose” (STEP Recordings) is timewise very much aligned with this move. Tell us a bit more about how this came together.
Actually, this all just happened serendipitously, to be honest. I was happy the guys at STEP were enthusiastic about putting out music that has been sitting in my back catalog unreleased and mostly unheard for at least 5 years. It’s been kind of crazy to me that even though I haven’t been very focused on deep house, many people are showing a renewed interest in my music as Lady Blacktronika. 

Having enjoyed “Overdose” a lot, I also listened back to some of your earlier works and enjoyed all of them on full volume. It seems that you always stay true to yourself and outspoken in your lyrics. If you were to revisit potential phases as Lady Blacktronika, what would they be?
Thank you. Yeah I mean I have produced so much and put out so much that sometimes I even forget what I have done. Sometimes I go back, and I’m like wow, this was really good when sometimes I’m not sure or things go unappreciated in the wider scope of things. One thing that I often am happy about is that I’m no longer making such sad tracks because I’m no longer hurting like I was in the past. I’m much happier now, so it’s a relief, but also I’m really happy for those tracks and that music to have been made. 

You are astonishingly versatile: as a producer, vocalist/ singer, DJ. From a production perspective, your range goes from the house until what I would call relentless techno. How was your musical upbringing, and how does that reflect in your works nowadays?
I was raised on Soul Music & Black Radio in the 70s and 80s. Two of my cousins were my super cool heroes because they could breakdance and listened to all the best electro, hip hop, and urban dance music, so they were super influential. But living in the Bay Area in the late 80s and early 90s. I was also exposed to so many other types of music, such as house music before we knew it was called house and even early hardcore techno. From 92 until 95, I used to stay up late on Fridays and Saturday nights to listen to The Aftershock, which was a mix show that played underground house, acid jazz, and hardcore techno. I was also deeply into Cocteau Twins, 4AD, and death rock as there was an influential goth scene I had access to in Downtown San Jose as well. 

I saw a comment on your Facebook that stated: “ your music always takes me back to the golden age of house”. I have a similar feeling, though, thinking the golden days of house were not necessarily the ones empowering female artists. As an inspiring force, what would you tell young female-identifying artists as your main “lessons”?
Yeah, that’s something that is still a thing. I’ve kind of left house music behind in favor of industrial techno where it hasn’t seemed quite as hard to be recognized for my talent. House music, on the other hand, I really feel like I could be working for the next 30 years and still not be listed on any top list of influential producers despite regularly being compared to male producers.  

Apparently, you have started making music as the “ boys didn’t want to share their toys” with you and started taking things into your own hands. The legendary Mike Huckaby “held your ticket”. Mike’s passing is an incredible loss for music; to some, it felt like an end of an era even. Where do you see House Music going from here? 
Mike passing is a terrible tragedy that was one of just too many terrible moments in 2020 and during the pandemic. I have so much love and appreciation for him and his help. I don’t really know where house is going. It’s a bit boring for me to be honest. It feels like the past and yet I have tremendous love for it still. 

Working and releasing under multiple aliases and also heading up a label, now being based back where your career started - what are the next projects you are working on?
I have mainly been focusing on new music under the Femanyst alias and on my techno label Dark Carousel. I hope to be able to return to producing deep house and putting out both new and older unreleased material. My next Lady Blacktronika is called “Dangers of Loving” due out this fall on Beat X Change out of France. I’m very excited for this one and can’t wait for people to hear it finally as it’s been sitting on the shelf unheard for 5 years. 

The last 15 months brought up a variety of challenges and music has been a key anchor for many to find solace. What were artists, albums, and sounds that helped you over this period?There has been so much music that I’ve been exposed to and long to be able to play out. The pandemic took its toll on me and depression kept me from being able to focus on doing mixes for podcasts, unfortunately. What I have been focused on during the pandemic is completing projects for releases as Lady Blacktronika and Femanyst. I’m eager to share music with the world again as it is what has truly gotten me through the lockdowns.