Akira

Akira is the name used by several different acts and artists working across electronic music, rock and fashion. The projects and performers associated with the name include a Japanese model and singer who appears as the vocalist of DISACODE and also performs solo as AKIRA; a German singer and producer of trance tracks, born in 1984 in northern Germany; a speedcore and hardcore DJ from Hong Kong known as DJ Akira and owner of Hong Kong Violence records; and a Japanese drum and bass act. Other artists using the name include an electronica, post-rock and pop band formed in Cambridge and later based in London, a marginal hip-hop band from France, a Polish drum and bass, jungle and ragga DJ and MC, an alternative rock band from Germany, progressive death, metalcore and experimental bands from Russia, a Czech drum and bass DJ in the Deadly Viperz duo, a dark hardcore and experimental band from Moscow, and a dubstep and riddim producer signed to Ape Garden Agency.

Japanese singer, model and DISACODE vocalist

One Akira first appears as a model for the gothic fashion magazine KERA and becomes a well-known figure in Japanese fashion. She also appears on the covers of other magazines, including KERA BOKU, and develops a following in Japan and overseas for a gothic, boyish style. Alongside modelling, she works as a singer and serves as the vocalist of the j-rock band DISACODE. She also performs at international fashion events such as Japan Expo 2013 and Shanghai Expo. Under the solo name AKIRA, she makes a major debut as a singer, with the song “Aoki Tsuki Michite” serving as the ending theme for the anime Black Butler: Book of Circus.

German trance producer

Another Akira is a singer and producer born in 1984 in a small town in northern Germany. She dreams of becoming a singer from an early age and later works as a trance producer for many years. Among her best-known tracks is “Million Miles Away From Home,” which reaches listeners around the world.

DJ Akira of Hong Kong Violence

DJ Akira, identified as Kin Wing Lam, has been active on the terror speedcore circuit for over a decade. He is the owner of Hong Kong Violence records and produces material including “Trance Trutje.” He also performs DJ sets associated with hardest hardcore techno.

Electronic and band projects

An Akira from Japan is listed as a drum and bass act. Another Akira is an electronica, post-rock and pop band formed in Cambridge and later based in London. That band releases music independently for several years before the JAPANESE FREQUENCIES EP appears on Filthy Little Angels, and the group disbands in late 2009. Other acts under the same name include an AKIRA-spelled hip-hop group from France, a Polish drum and bass, jungle and ragga DJ and MC, and a German alternative rock band formed in 2006 with Johanna on vocals, Christian on lead guitar, Adam on drums and Tjörven on guitar.

Russian and Czech metal and hardcore acts

The name also appears on several heavy and experimental projects. One is a progressive death, metalcore and experimental band from Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, which releases a three-song demo in 2007, later changes its name to The Akira and splits up in 2009. Another is a dark hardcore and experimental band from Moscow, Russia, which releases a four-song demo in 2010.

Other electronic acts

Further uses of the name include a Czech drum and bass DJ from Karlovy Vary who is part of the Deadly Viperz duo with Anakin, and a dubstep/riddim producer signed to Ape Garden Agency.