There’s a chill in the air as I make my way to yet another Northern Quarter backroom, and this time, we’re meeting Aniff Akinola. If you know anything about Manchester music, you know this man’s influence goes beyond beats and samples—he’s woven into the city’s musical DNA. Today, we’re capturing his story, and I get the feeling this isn’t going to be just another nostalgia trip. I settle in with Paul Banks ready to guide the conversation, and within moments, it’s clear: this isn’t an interview; it’s a masterclass.
Aniff isn’t just talking; he’s teaching. Every sentence feels like a perfectly placed beat drop, every story loaded with history that’s as vital as it is unapologetic. He’s the real deal, and in a city where every other person claims to have shaped the scene, Aniff actually did. And as he sits there, casually dropping gems about the music industry and his massive influence of A Guy Called Gerald's famous track "Voodoo Ray", I realise I’m only scratching the surface of Manchester’s musical undercurrent.
Watch our FACES IN MUSIC segment where Aniff shares one very special story 👀 👇 And Pauls full interview with him!
We get into the heart of it all: the birth of house and drum and bass, the emergence of the club scene, and the raw, artistic surge that flowed through The Hacienda. His stories have this way of making you feel like you’re there in that sweaty room, feeling the bass reverberate off the walls as if the future were right there, waiting to be grabbed.
But what hits the hardest is the truth behind the tales—the kind you don’t find in history books. The Hacienda’s story has been rewritten, repackaged, and resold, leaving out fundamental voices like his. You can feel the rawness of it as he speaks. His words hit with a quiet intensity, like he’s been holding them in for too long. And yet, there’s no bitterness—only the undeniable feeling that this is a man who knows exactly who he is and where he stands in the story of Manchester music.
Every time he speaks, he lights up the room. He talks about being inside The Hacienda, the art pouring out of every wall and corner, the way it pushed musical boundaries every single night. It was a creative crucible, a place that didn’t just accept the unconventional—it demanded it. I find myself sitting on the sidelines, watching this conversation unfold and I fathom the story of Manchester’s music scene is so much richer, so much more complex than I ever imagined. There’s something almost mythic about it, and Aniff holds the key to that history with a mix of pride and frustration.
After, he talks candidly about his passion for supporting grassroots artists and pushing for their rights—something he knows too well, having fought his own battles on that front. His journey hasn’t been easy, but he’s still here, still creating, still advocating. He’s the kind of artist who refuses to let the industry chew him up. And in a way, his presence feels like a reminder to all of us: this music, this legacy, doesn’t belong to some distant past or just a few big names. It belongs to everyone who put their heart and soul into it.
By the time we wrap up, I’ve realised I knew NOTHING - there’s so much more to learn, so much more to unearth. His influence runs deep in Manchester’s veins, and hearing him speak with such conviction, it’s clear he isn’t done yet. This city still needs his voice, his beat, his passion.
And so, as I walk back out into the cold streets of Manchester, I conclude that capturing this history is about more than just preserving memories. It’s about honouring the people who made it what it was, what it still is, and making sure their stories are told the way they deserve to be. Aniff Akinola isn’t just part of Manchester’s past—he’s a living, breathing testament to its spirit. If you think you know Manchester’s music scene, think again. And if you want to really understand it, watch the interview. Aniff’s got stories to tell, and trust me, you don’t want to miss them.
Watch the interview and Aniff's one story at the top of this article, and make sure to follow along as we drop some incredible stories and memories from the people who MADE Manchester. Hope you enjoyed Aniff Akinola: The Untold Stories.
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