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Akari Kalai There is nothing you could say to Akari to put out the fire in her soul. Her mysterious and exotic look is utterly intriguing. Like a venus fly trap she pulls you toward her, but beware, this neo feminist will not hesitate to kick you in the balls, or more appropriately execute a flying crane kick to your face with such elegance and perfection if you blink it might be missed. In pain and wondering if anyone caught the license plate of the 18 wheeler that just knocked you over, your only desire will be for more. The girl can barely be contained on any format. Her music is powerful and refreshing. Like the true meaning of her name she is a bright shining light, emerging from dark ravine of talentless acts and pieced together careers. 2 words to describe her: sexy and edgy and the same can be said for her music. " It's hip hop with rock influence. I'll hear a hard hip hop beat and add live drums and some sick lead guitar." Akari's buttery voice combined with these tracks creates an addicting contrast. Akari is the apple that hasn't fallen far from the tree. The Vancouver, British Columbia native is no stranger to music or stage performance. She grew up in a musical family and at age 3, Akari would sing while her brother played the guitar. Akari's parents recognized her talent and she began taking formal dance lessons and studying classical and popular music at five years old. Akari studied ballet, jazz, hip-hop dance and piano. Akari creatively combined her love of dance with Kung Fu and practiced the martial arts each day in her ballet tutu. After playing the lead in several high school stage productions and exhibiting her musical prowess in the school band, Akari went to the Actors Working Academy in Vancouver which led her to appear in several major movie productions, During this time she sang background vocals for Riley Inge of the Temptations and Various local talents in Vancouver. Akari's beauty, poise and natural stage presence landed her one of only six modeling positions with the Tommy Hilfiger National Tour and a three-year recurring modeling spot with Meoshe at the "MAGIC" show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Akari Kalai was also pictured in the March 2003 issue of Maxim magazine. Akari worked as a dancer with a local rap group opening for sean "Puffy" Combs at Seattle's Kube 93.3 Summer Jam concert. Puffy's road manager approached Akari about auditioning for New York based R&B group. Akari earned her position in the group formed by producers Timbaland and Jimmy Douglas (Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Missy Elliot), but due to a lack of commitment to superstardom by other group members, the project fell apart. Timbaland and Jimmy Douglas recognized Akari as a shining star and encouraged her to pursue her dreams as a solo artist. Following her dreams, Akari moved to New York on her own. Not letting anything stand in her way Akari fought her way through many obstacles. Teaming up with producers Chris Kelly and Willie Bum Bum (Mario Winans, Pink, Boys to Men) she recorded her first single "Puppy Dog" written by Pink. ). "It was during this time that I realized that my musical styling had evolved. I grew up listening to everything from Madonna and Micheal to Biggie and Jay-Z. I am inspired by artists like Pink and Evanescence who's I-don't-give-a-shit attitudes remind me so much of myself. I love watching a great live performance like Janet Jackson who's fusion of dancing/singing and acting blows me away and inspires me to be the best. " Most recently she has recorded vocals for various acts such as Pretty Ricky(Atlantic Records) and Yo Gotti ( TVT Records), along with singing backup for Brooke Hogan. She has also worked with Hit producers and writers Scott Storch, Pooh Bear, Cherokee(Arista) and continues to work with Chris Kelly and other artists to develop her unique sound in the pursuit of a recording deal. "I know I am in this game of hurry-up-and-wait, but I am ready for the world, just have my Manley Gold Reference Mic ready in the booth", she laughs.