My name is Tommy Akande (Tkandz) and I studied UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance at South Essex Colleges Group. This is my story. 

I have been working full-time as a professional recording artist. I’ve been making music since I was 15 and have built a career with over 135 million streams across platforms. That experience gave me a strong foundation in performance and creativity, but I wanted to develop my technical skills and formal knowledge of the music industry. That’s what led me to study my course, I wanted to broaden my practical music knowledge, grow even more as an artist and take my career to the next level.

The college staff has a big impact on my time there, particularly Paul, Brad, Emma and Joe. They were supportive, knowledgeable and helped keep me focused throughout the course. I learned a lot from them, not just about music performance but also about staying motivated and professional. Their guidance definitely helped prepare me for the real-world demands of the music industry.

I’ve always been a confident person, but my time at college helped me develop more structure and discipline in my daily routine. Having to meet deadlines and manage my time around projects really helped me stay organised, which has been useful not just in music, but in other areas of life too. It taught me the importance of balancing creativity with consistency.

For me, college was more about having the space to focus creatively and get feedback from tutors. In the industry, I work in professional studios with high-end equipment, but the most important part has always been the ideas and the music itself not just the tools you use.

My favourite memory of my time at Thurrock College was the live performances and gigs. I always looked forward to it, and the Royal Hotel in Southend was my favourite venue I got to perform at during my time there. I loved the crowd’s energy, and it was unforgettable. 

Since completing my course, I’ve been focused on my music career. I currently have the biggest rap song in the world globally, as my latest release Now or Never has nearly 3 billion streams since its release. 

As a professional recording artist, my job involves writing, recording, and performing music, as well as managing the creative direction of my projects. I spend a lot of time in the studio working on new material, collaborating with producers and other artists, and exploring new sounds. There’s also a business side to it too like planning releases, engaging with my audience, managing social media, and working with my team to grow the brand. It’s a full-time commitment that takes both creativity and discipline. I made sure to stay consistent and take calculated risks that made sense for my career. 

The best thing about further education is the chance to focus fully on your craft while learning from people who have real experience. It gives you time and space to grow, make mistakes, and improve without the pressure of the industry. For me, it also helped me build discipline, understand different sides of music, and connect with others who are passionate about the same thing.

My greatest achievement is so far happening right now. I have the most viral rap song in the world, currently featured in Spotify’s Viral 50 Global, Hot Hits UK & Rap UK playlists. I also recently got to sit down with DJ Semtex at Capital Xtra to talk about my music and latest song Now or Never.