I love to highlight artists who aren’t exactly like your “typical” rapper/singer/group. After all, every artist has a story to tell and it may be one that can positively impact your or someone else’s life. Case in point, Wolverhampton, England artist Akes. This artist grabbed my attention with his artist blurb, since it presents Akes as someone I’d like artistically without having him submitted to me. He’s an everyman in some ways, since he doesn’t rattle off extravagant tales of riches and glamour. Instead, he speaks on real world issues that impact your average human being. Instead of just speaking on it, Akes offers introspection and solutions.

Akes’ latest track, “My Disability (Can’t Stop Thisability),” is an example of this. As someone who’s on the spectrum and has various mental health conditions, I always stand up with people who deal with disabilities. Be they physical, emotional or neurological, I stand with you. Plus, I’m of the mind of “if the music slaps, the music slaps”. As long as we aren’t harming others, being any of the “-ists” or “-phobics” (racist, sexist, ableist, etc), or endangering kids, bangers know no bounds.

That said, I love this one, plain and simple. Lyrically, the track features some great rhyme schemes and a lot of motivational lyrics within it. The beat on “My Disability” is very high-energy and somewhat reminds me of a more-conscious-leaning Lil Baby cut. The song was created to bring awareness to disabilities, specifically Cerebral Palsy. Since Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month just passed, this is a pretty timely release. Akes, from a bars standpoint, gives us line after line of positive energy and motivational messages, as mentioned previously. He also speaks on his plight, one that finds him grinding continuously for what he loves and those whom he loves. After all, the hook says “my disability can’t stop this ability.” You don’t need me to tell you that this guy is ready to keep pushing, keep moving, and keep growing.

This one also slaps on a personal level, outside of my shared empathy.

As some of you may know, the mother of my children deals with a mild case of this neurological disorder. It impacts her in ways I, when I first met her, didn’t really know much about. Over the last 18+ years, I’ve gotten the chance to understand more about CP through her and some of her friends. Even while living with CP, Quel is a vibrant woman who deserves every single one of her flowers. And, well, she doesn’t let a disability slow her down. She’s a gentle-but-firm badass, plain and simple. No, that’s not me rebounding a miss and re-shooting my shot. It’s more that she’s just freakin’ incredible and I’m forever in awe of her.

I’m here for this song, down to the “talk to the audience” towards the end. That’s because that segment puts it out there: we can’t stop just because someone says that maybe we should, disability or otherwise. It’s not just to prove the naysayers wrong, but to make our own lives that much better. Plus, with good friends, a good support system and (should you believe) a strong faith in God, you’re able to do darn near anything.

Check out the song above and remember to support dope music in all its forms.