Tommy Akande

My name is Tommy Akande (Tkandz), and I studied the 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 for several years. I started making music when I was 15 and have since built a career with over 135 million streams across digital platforms. While I already had strong experience in performance and creativity, I wanted to expand my technical knowledge and understanding of the music industry. That’s why I decided to enrol on the course, to grow as an artist and push my career even further.

During my time at college, the tutors made a huge difference to my experience. Paul, Brad, Emma and Joe were all incredibly supportive and knowledgeable. They helped me stay focused, develop professionally and encouraged me to keep progressing. I learned a lot from them, not just about performing, but about maintaining discipline and a strong work ethic, which is essential in the music industry.

I’ve always been a confident person, but the course helped me build structure in my daily routine. Having deadlines and working on projects taught me how to manage my time more effectively and stay organised. That balance between creativity and consistency has been key to my development.

For me, college was also about having the space to focus on my craft. It gave me the opportunity to explore ideas, experiment and receive feedback from tutors. While professional studios offer high-end equipment, I’ve learned that the most important part of music is always the ideas behind it, not just the tools you use.

One of my favourite memories from college was performing live. I really enjoyed taking part in gigs, especially performing at the Royal Hotel in Southend. The energy of the crowd made those moments unforgettable and helped build my confidence on stage.

Since completing my course, I have continued to focus on my music career. I currently have the biggest rap song in the world, with my track Now or Never reaching nearly 3 billion streams. It has been featured on major playlists including Spotify’s Viral 50 Global, Hot Hits UK and Rap UK. I have also had the opportunity to speak about my music on Capital Xtra with DJ Semtex, which was a big milestone for me.

As a professional recording artist, my work involves much more than just making music. I spend time writing, recording and performing, as well as managing the creative direction of my projects. There is also a strong business side to the industry, including planning releases, building my brand, managing social media and working closely with my team. It’s a full-time commitment that requires both creativity and discipline.

Looking back, studying at South Essex Colleges Group gave me the time and environment to refine my skills, stay focused and continue developing as an artist. It helped me understand different aspects of the industry and strengthened my approach to my career.