South African rock band aKING are known for their emotive lyrics on existentialism, and their members—vocalist and guitarist Laudo Liebenberg, bass guitarist Hennie van Hale, drummer Jaco "Snakehead" Venter, guitarist Andrew Davenport and vocalist/guitarist Hunter Kennedy—have delivered these poetic musings with fitting sincerity since their 2008 debut album, Dutch Courage. Comfortably flirting with pop, aKING are part of a family of Bellville, Cape Town bands—like alt-rock Fokofpolisiekar and Van Coke Kartel and electronic band Die Heuwels Fantasties—who at times perform together as VanFokKingTasties. But unlike their band siblings who sing primarily in Afrikaans, aKING’s music is in English and accessible, consisting of oft-relatable sing-alongs and a melodic rock sound that takes inspiration from country, folk and electronic music.