Few artists embody the spirit of underground radio quite like Akito. A London-born, Osaka-based DJ and producer, Akito has built a decade-long reputation for forward-thinking club music that connects the dots between UK Bass, global rhythms and experimental sound design.
Best known for his long-running NTS Radio residency, he’s become a trusted curator of boundary-pushing electronic music. As a result, he’s spotlighting underground artists from London to Tokyo and beyond. Rooted in his early love of Grime and pirate radio, Akito’s journey reflects a lifelong obsession with discovery, community and craft, values that continue to shape his show today.
We spoke to Akito about his early days recording radio dubplates, finding community in Japan and how his NTS show has evolved.
Tell us about your journey with music and why you wanted to become a radio host?
Akito: I got into music during the later years of high school, where a few of my friends were DJing. I’d go over to their homes and watch them record tapes of UK Garage mixes. They’d go on to introduce me to new music through tape packs of raves and anything else they could get their hands on. I saw the vision immediately.
Shortly after Jason, my best friend, got his own set up in the attic of his parents house. We’d be together every weekend, buying and collecting records in the day and playing them throughout the night. Jason also had a computer way before I did; he patiently taught me how to use a PC then showed me the ropes on FL Studio. It just never stopped after that. I’ve been playing and making music at some capacity ever since and radio played an integral role throughout. It exposed me to so much music we didn’t have access to. This was dial-up internet days but I knew from early that radio was something I was going to be a part of. I wanted to contribute and payback for all the years of inspiration while also developing my craft as a DJ and producer.
How did you get your radio show?
I was chilling at the previous HUB16 studio in Dalston, London – the legendary spot behind the chicken shop – talking music with Samantha and friends. Then I got an email from Femi Adeyemi asking me if I’d be down to do a solo show on NTS that could lead to a residency, provided things went well. I agreed in an instant and a few months later I popped down to the studio in Gillett Square. Nerves kicked in and the mixing was wobbly at best but thankfully things went smooth enough for them to invite me back.
I made my debut on NTS in 2014 on the Circadian Rhythms show and shortly after I made appearances on the Trax Couture show with Fools and Rushmore. I later found out through Femi a few people had suggested me to him as a potential resident, so big up them.
What was it about radio that really attracted you to it?
I listened to radio way before I had access to the internet or even a computer. It was my main source of music. I’d listen to East Connection and Southside Untouchables on Delight FM in awe. The excitement of hearing all these fresh dubplates broadcast live week in and out was what propelled me towards radio and further into my own music production. I’d record as much of it onto tape as possible knowing that I could go into school and swap them for other recordings of stations and crews my radio couldn’t pick up. I became obsessed. Then with the digital advancements in technology, like Pioneers CDJs and Serato, it opened me up to new possibilities. It was my turn to put myself out there and start contributing.
What are some of the guiding principles of your show?
It boils down to my taste. If I like it I will double down, if anything begins to feel stale or repetitive I pivot. There are loose themes I have in mind from time to time, which usually correlate with a geographical location. When I lived in Seoul for a short period I highlighted many of the artists I met out in the clubs. Before I moved to Japan, I featured a lot of artists and DJs that were bubbling up in the underground circuit in Tokyo. Now, living in Osaka, the plan is to feature more of the local talent in the Kansai region. The show has never been about hype, numbers or metrics, every decision was music first.
What would you say was the one turning point for you in your radio journey?
When I was at my friend Jason’s house after school decades ago, we were in his room cooking up beats. Our friend James later joined us to vocal one of our instrumental tracks. After recording it and giving it a quick master, in a hurry James asked us to burn it onto a CD. He locks into this FM frequency and drives off in a rush. 30 minutes later we heard his voice over the mic, introducing the song we just worked on live on pirate radio. At that point I knew it was real, this is what I want to dedicate myself to.
How do you prepare for your show? What has to happen at the preparation stage?
I sift through emails and DMs for new dubs, have a listen and download from promo send outs. I also go digging online for new and old bits. If there’s a guest on the show I would’ve set a deadline for their guest mix well in advance so things are usually super smooth. I don’t talk at all on the show anymore so I just hyper-fixate on the music, so the preparation process feels the same as I would for a club or bar booking. Without the pressure of having to be so dancefloor focused.
Is there one radio show from your archive that you think defines you?
The sound changes over time and I don’t feel defined or attached to any single show or period. But one that stuck out over the last few years was with Tokyo-based DJ Scrab. She sent me her guest mix, which I was really impressed by. I ended up making one in response to hers, which was made mostly of Downtempo, Techno and Dancehall-influenced club sounds. This show really stood out to me from start to finish; I go back to listen to it from time to time.
Looking back on your radio career so far, what are some of your proudest achievements?
Being able to invite guests onto the show that I really like and believe in. The show wouldn’t have gone on for so long if it wasn’t for the guests. I feel like I owe it to them at this point and I will continue to look for and platform more artists until the end.
What have been the most satisfying parts of building the community around you?
I feel the community side of my show is little to non-existent now. The communication is mostly a back and forth on socials in regards to inviting guests and the finer details. There was a huge shift in the show from when I left London four years ago and it hasn’t been the same since. The vibe and energy of the studio was always so warm, full of friends and like minded people. Many connections were made and a lot of great times were had in and out of the studio. It’s all good though! Got to keep it moving. I’m going out more now in Osaka and it’s great being able to meet and hear so many local DJs. This will definitely help shape the sound of the show moving forward.
What are some of your golden tips for presenting and putting together a radio show?
Some obvious but important ones for me are to move with integrity. If it’s not coming from a place of authenticity, scrap it. Should any doubts creep in, I would ask myself some questions. If you were to listen to this show in five years time would you be proud of it, let alone re-listen to it? What positions me differently in taste and how do I present that in its optimal form? Does this fill me with excitement? Something along those lines.
Beyond that, give yourself plenty of time to prepare. Make sure you have a consistent way of recording your shows in high quality. Do not at any point be afraid to be yourself, embrace your quirks please and have fun!
“Move with integrity. If it’s not coming from a place of authenticity, scrap it.”
What do you think the future of radio looks like?
More audio and visual streaming. It has existed for years of course, but it is becoming more prevalent now. It’s a great way for platforms and artists to clip and engagement farm for socials and content, so naturally it has risen in popularity over the last many years. There have been a lot of community-driven radio stations pop up over the last decade, just as so many exist now. People will start to niche down and create platforms geared towards particular scenes and spaces. Also the accessibility to the internet and technology make it a free for all and the barrier of entry is low. So I expect to see waves of new brands and ideas come and go at an exponential rate.
What do you think you’ve learned about yourself through your radio show?
The power of consistency and the damaging factors of the lack of it, the compounding effects of effort and energy. Not directly through the show but as it continues forward, appreciating that people, friends and partners will enter and exit my life. But music and the opportunities it presents are as abundant as life. So I will continue my mission while doing my best and to lead with love and light.