Z

AKI Ibrahim has a relentless performance schedule. At least for a singer who has no recent new material to speak of. But her frequent appearances remind music lovers of her talent, a necessary measure if she is to succeed in a crowdfunding campaign to make possible a follow-up to her last full-length album, 2012’s Every Opposite.

Ibrahim launched the campaign on GoFundMe.com before leaving Toronto for Joburg in December, targeting C$10 000 (about R100 000). The campaign is yet to launch in South Africa, but she has high hopes for the generosity of her local audience.

“My integrity as an artist is important,” says Ibrahim. “If I am going to put something out, I want to do it right, and that costs money. I’m a completely independent artist, and the cost of recording, the artwork, mastering, publicity . . . these are costs a recording label would usually absorb.”

Born to a South African father and British mother, Ibrahim grew up in Canada and South Africa, and spent some time living in Europe. Her music reflects a range of influences as diverse as her upbringing, fusing hip-hop with soul and jazzy hints.

Her voice glides effortlessly over beats reminiscent of ’90s neo-soul, but also feels right at home on cascading melodies, like those in the contemporary disco jaunt Draw the Line, the lead single on Every Opposite.

Artists Ibrahim has worked with include Tumi Molekane, the acclaimed rapper who now goes by the name Stogie-T, and Tiago Correia-Paulo, who oversaw production on Every Opposite.

Ibrahim and Molekane began working together a decade ago, when Molekane was with the hiphop outfit Tumi & the Volume. Ibrahim and her Toronto-based partners facilitated three Canadian tours for Tumi & the Volume. She also worked with Correia-Paulo on the award-winning score for the film Otelo Burning and has collaborated with Erykah Badu, Saul Williams and the UK-based Hyperdub family, Young Fathers and the Roots.

Despite her credentials, she admits to a twinge of selfconsciousness about asking strangers for money.