Channel AKA (formerly Channel U) is a British digital satellite TV channel, owned by Mushroom TV Ltd, available through Sky within the UK and Ireland on channel 370. It is a music channel, focusing on playing upcoming UK urban/grime/hip-hop music and has helped the breakthrough for acts such as Tinchy Stryder, Tinie Tempah, Chipmunk, Wretch 32, Devlin and N-Dubz.

Channel AKA is a significant outlet not only for established artists, but also for those who are just starting out. Its material "includes crude productions shot with handheld digital video cameras," and helps new musicians attract attention and build a fan base. According to its website, "the aim of the channel was to highlight to the public, the raw and unsigned talent we have in the UK, and give them a platform from which they could perform," and it has been successful in this mission, as suggested by the production and popularity of such compilation CDs as Channel U: The Album.

Many artists have expressed their loyalty to the channel in their lyrics; for example, in Lady Sovereign's "9 to 5", "Channel who? Oh Channel U, the ones who made me huge, like Katie Price's boobs!". Other artists to comment on Channel U include Kano, Ironik, Lethal Bizzle, Sway, Remi Nicole, Mr Wong, and Dizzee Rascal. Dan le sac vs Scroobius Pip criticised Channel U in their song "Fixed", as did Lowkey, who cited the absence of any innovation and the channel's lack of desire to take risks.

Michael Barnett, better known by his stage name Big Mike, is an American rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana. He was originally a member of Convicts with Houston rapper Mr. 3-2. Its album would be the first of many releases Mike would put out on Houston-based Rap-A-Lot Records. Following the release of the eponymous Convicts, Big Mike impressed the heads of Death Row Records and almost signed with that label before he was called by James Prince and asked to replace Willie D when he left the Geto Boys. He accepted and became a part of the group on its 1993 album Till Death Do Us Part. When Willie D rejoined the group on its next album, he left the group. Big Mike has released five solo albums thus far, Somethin' Serious in 1994, Still Serious in 1997, Hard to Hit in 1999, Keep it Playa in 2006, and Serious as Can Be in 2009. Still Serious was his highest-charting album, peaking at #16 on the Billboard Hot 200.

Solo Albums:

From The New Album Bayou Classic"

With the Convicts:

With the Geto Boys:

Kevin Georgiou (born 22 May 1985), better known by his stage name K. Koke, is an English rapper of Greek Cypriot descent from Stonebridge, North West London.

He is part of one of the United Kingdom's most popular underground rap crews U.S.G.

His first mixtape Pure Koke Volume One was an underground success. Volume 1 was given away for free on various online outlets, and can currently be downloaded for free from Mixtape Madness. Having gained considerable critical acclaim within the UK Rap scene, he has recently signed with Roc Nation of Sony Music EntertainmentRCA.

Pure Koke Volume Two has been released. It includes 'Nobody But Us' and 'Mama'.

Koke was charged with the attempted murder of an unidentified 27-year-old football player at Harlesden train station on 9 March 2011 along with four teenagers, who were remanded in custody pending trial in October 2011. The victim was shot in the back. Koke's record deal with Roc Nation has not been affected by his arrest. Koke stood trial on October 4, 2011 and was acquitted of all charges on the 3rd November 2011 after 7 months on remand.