Recording his up and coming album, tentatively titled “Traveling Light”, Aquil is in the process of gaining digital distribution and releasing his work independently. Talented producers Aashir Nuri, Y?Arcka and Writtenhouse’s producers Kush Shalimar and Chris Conway are collaborative forces on this project, which will give people a vibe that is reminiscent of classic Hip Hop, as well as a sound unheard before. Scheduled for a release in 2010, internet radio stations, blogs, and websites have expressed their excitement in promoting this album. Aquil is scheduled to go on an East Coast tour along with a College Tour to promote the album.

Releasing one mixtape, Blues People (September 2008), which sonically sounded more like an album, Aquil set the mark very high; exuding purpose and style while maintaining substance. As a graduate of Temple University, Aquil chose music over graduate studies because he wants to help return the feeling of inspiration, hope and creativity to music. Many have alluded to similarities in his style with Rakim, Nas, Tupac, Black Thought, KRS-ONE, Common, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli. With lines that are unapologetic, such as “I entered into a drought of musical doubts but open my mouth and eloquent notes just flow out” and “This platform for the stories that’s untold I’m like Dubois with a flow kick the Souls of Black Folk”, Aquil gets his points across with passion and technical grace. He gives you his thoughts and feelings along with a historical analysis and social-political commentary.

Aquil has performed at the following venues and universities, The Sputnik, The Trocadero, The Clef Club, World Café Live, Syracuse University and Temple University, and has also performed in several other cities including New York City, Camden NJ, Baltimore MD, Washington D.C. and Miami FL. With the support of organizations such as Jr. Music Executive and The Enterprise Center’s Russell Hicks, who has described Aquil as “seriously contending for the title of next greatest Emcee”, Aquil has the tools necessary to leave an impact on music forever.

Aashir Nuri changed his approach to an organic one and began to work on projects with local artists, the first being his brother, Long Live. At the top of 2008, Aashir linked up with a Philadelphia Emcee by the name of Aquil. The two met while attending Temple University. Later, Aashir and Aquil would both map out a plan to release Aquil’s first CD. Since connecting with Aquil, Aashir has gone on to do projects and songs with other Philadelphia Artists such as Weldon Merrial, Prosser, and Charlie K. (of the group Writtenhouse). Using his writing skills as a means for exposure, Aashir became a freelance journalist and had the pleasure of interviewing prominent Hip Hop artists and legendary musicians such as Beanie Sigel, Denaun Porter, Black Ice, DJ Z-Trip, Monie Love, Gamble and Huff, and Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek (Reflection Eternal).

Aashir’s belief in himself and his musical talents led him to make one of the toughest decisions of his life. In March of 2008, he quit his job of working for the City of Philadelphia and never looked back. Aashir recalls that “the decision to quit was not an easy one. You’re talking about a total sacrifice of stable income in exchange for unstable dreams”. That decision seems to be paying off, however. With the free time gained, Aashir was able to continue to develop his craft as a producer and take music more seriously. In addition to focusing on music, Aashir exploited his journalism and computer programming skills to create this entire website.