What’s your stage name and where are you from?
My stage name’s AK CEEZ. I’m from a small town called Buckie, in the north-east of Scotland – originally born in Aberdeen.
What’s the story behind your stage name?
It’s pretty simple really. AK is just my initials and my daughter’s – she’s everything to me, so it felt right to carry her with me in the name. Over time I started using it as an acronym for “All Knowing” – just because I genuinely believe knowledge is power. The more you learn, the more you see things for what they are.
CEEZ comes from Caesar. Not on some big ego thing, I’m not trying to be a ruler or anything [laughs] – but I’ve always respected how he moved, and how his legacy lasted. For me, it’s about purpose and intention. I want to make music that means something and lasts beyond me.
Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
I started writing bars as a teenager, but I never had the self-belief or support to fully chase it back then. Life got real – I became a dad, lost family, battled through a lot – but the music was always there in the background, like it was waiting on me. Now I’m all in, telling my story the way it was meant to be told, and doing it for the ones who never made it out.
Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
The last song I made for my collab mixtape The Origins was Feel It. I remember hearing the beat for the first time and it hit me straight away – like I had to write to it then and there. I stayed up until 4am – hyper-focused on it, fully in the zone, it felt like the track wrote itself.
What message do you want to convey through your music?
I want my music to speak to people on a deeper level – like it’s not just entertainment, it’s something you can feel. I’m all about telling the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable – from pain and trauma to growth and hope. The kind of music that helps you reflect, relate, and maybe even heal a little – that’s what I’m trying to create.
Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
Everything I’ve done so far has been fully DIY – I’ve had to teach myself how to record, mix, and produce my own vocals with no formal training. It’s been a challenge learning as I go, trying to get the best sound I can with what I’ve got. But I’ve pushed through, and for the next project I’m aiming to bring in a proper sound engineer to handle the final mix and master, so I can take things to that next level.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
My dream collab would be J. Cole. His music’s always inspired me – not just the lyrics, but the honesty, the depth, and the way he tells real stories without losing the craft. I relate to that balance of vulnerability and skill, and I feel like a collab with someone like that would push me to go even deeper with my own music.
Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
I’m focused on building a real community around my music – a fanbase that feels seen by what I create. I want to take that connection to the road, on a tour hitting stages I’ve never been on. Collaborating with like-minded artists and producers is part of the plan too – I want to surround myself with people who share the same hunger and vision.
What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
The next big step for me is levelling up everything – from the sound and visuals to how the music’s rolled out and received. With my next project, I’m working to make sure it hits harder, reaches further, and really shows the growth in my craft. It’s about moving with intention and making each release feel like a moment, not just another drop.
Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
You can find my latest music on all streaming platforms – just search AK CEEZ. I’ve also got content up on YouTube and my Instagram, so if you want to see visuals or get a feel for the journey that’s the place to be.
