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Akis from Kalamaria Thessaloniki, known to others as the 12th Monkey, is one of the guys that inspire the youth of Greece in 2013. A born and dedicated Hip Hop artist, he scrolls down sounds, paints with sprays and dances on the streets sending messages directly from his heart.

Being also a member of the first team of break created in Greece, the freakstyle rockers, he has admitted that he loves break as much as MC’ing.

Original, conscious and influenced just as needed by the american hip hop culture, he composes lyrics, inspired by the Greek reality and he continues to dream on.

How come you are the 12th Monkey and where are the other 11?

I had a strange obsession with monkeys as animals since I was a child… I watched a lot of documentaries… I climbed a lot, had a long jump and often heard the expression “stop acting like a monkey” (hahaha). But, the main idea came from one of my favorite movies, 12 Monkeys. Oh, the other 11 stayed at home, they were worn out! hahaha.

Why did you choose hip hop to express your self? What are you truly trying to tell us through your music?

I believe I didn’t choose it! I think it chose me!I was at young age when I got to know hip hop… and since then… it never left me! Hip hop is a culture! A way of life! It is a really big part of my life and in a way it is responsible for the way my character has been shaped up to today! What I want to achieve and do with my music firstly is to express my self! To be able to get off my chest all of the thoughts and feelings… I am a restless man and that results in me having a lot to say!

You have become one of the voices of the youth. What are they trying to say through your words?

The youth is doing its research nowadays! Truth be told, we live in a country and a society where the kids don't know what to believe in and where to turn to, all those things that we were taught as children and have been demolished with time’s passing. Rap as a music is reaction on society’s issues and of course a very intense and loud music that can stir up many and different emotions, resulting in a lot more people turning towards it! As for me personally, I am happy that they “feel” me and I get heard by young people, not because I think that everything I say is right… but because it is just how I perceive reality around me! The difference I guess is that I don't see myself as a worthy role model for the youth even though they see me like that… but every time I tell them that they reply… just be who you are. Thats why we love you! hahaha.

What other people are with you on this journey? How much has Pelina helped and what is your opinion about working together?

Pelina and Krase (DopeBeatStudios) have been by my side all these years and the past few years we also have Dj Twelve and Panogiotis Kapetanakis, our trumpet player. Pelina like the rest of the guys is first and most of all a friend. A true friend! Since my teen years I remember her next to me. She has helped me and supported me psychologically in all of this and of course with her gorgeous voice she makes my music, my scene and my life prettier!

How is it to live your dream in Greece of 2013?

Strange, beautiful and in general, crazy, to live your dream! Now in Greece of 2013 it is also harder but more hopeful. It is beautiful to make dreams but also to try with all your heart to achieve them, even though you might not succeed. Its the attempt that counts. Nothing will come out of the blue. It takes a fights, deprivations, attempts and love to do what what you want to do.

In the past years there has been a lot of momentum in the Greek Hip Hop scene. What counts after all in music, the quantity to have choices or the quality to be collected?

Personally I think you need both! Within the quantity you will most likely discover some diamonds but a lot of junk as well… of course that is a matter of taste for each. At least it gives you the choice to search and discover, find what you truly like but also get the ability to separate a great track even if it is not something you would listen to.

If there were no clashes in the Greek music scene, how different would the scene be today?

I have no IDEA!!! hahaha I can’t know that… simply because.. the clashes were always there.. always!!! It is sort of the salt and pepper of our scene. Rap, for better or for worse, is a music that contains ego! I just think that it is pointless to just spend all your energy with fights.. personal or non. I think that, that is the thing that gave our music a bad name. Rap has a lot more to show than just egos, greed for money, women and the rest… it is the music of the people… because even one that doesn;t listen to rap exclusively… can find pieces of himself in our songs… regardless of age.

What music do you secretly listen at home?

The only certain thing thing is that I don’t do it secretly!!! hahaha My neighbours can assure you of that for all these years!!! I mainly listen to Rap. It is the music I loved since my childhood years. Offcourse I do get influenced by many and variant music genres, I listen to a lot of funk, breaks, soul, jazz, trip hop and many more depending on the weather or how I feel.

If you would release a song for all of us that left, what would be the title?

I’d give it the title of a track that is going to come out soon. “Keep your head up”. (For different reasons of course).

How does the dream go on? Any plans for Europe?

The dream goes on as long as you give it love, effort and you chase it. The chase then, goes on as the say. This year we are arranging live shows in some cities in Germany and we are hoping for more interest by other European countries. The only experience I had abroad was from a live show in Canada. AMAZING EXPERIENCE! Thanks a lot, and be well.

If you want to learn more about 12th Monkey, you can check his page on facebook