AceShowbiz - Angelina Jolie and Akala's relationship apparently continues to raise a few eyebrows among their peers although their dating rumors have been debunked. Rumor has it that the actress and the musician are "getting increasingly close" despite his relationship with his girlfriend named Chanelle Newman.

"Angelina and Akala have been hanging out for quite a while," a source tells In Touch. "They first bonded over their shared love of activism and humanitarianism, and then a connection sparked. They both have their own production companies, so they've been looking for a project to work together on as well."

The "Maria" star allegedly "adores" the British rapper, who is described as "such a refreshing influence in her life and someone she can really lean on and trust because he's so discreet." The so-called insider adds, "He's like a vault, and he's very protective of her and her kids."

While their bond is seemingly undeniable, "his girlfriend is in the picture and Akala and Angelina were very quick to get the media briefed that there's nothing going on because he's attached," the source notes.

"And it's true, his girlfriend is there quite frequently," the insider continues. "But Angelina sees him alone as well, and she talks to him quite a lot too, so it's a bit of a head-scratcher for friends because the girlfriend is either the most tolerant person out there or the least insecure, given that he's getting really close with one of the most beautiful women on the planet, who happens to be single."

The source notes that the future of the 49-year-old actress and the 40-year-old poet's relationship "is anyone's guess," but it won't change the fact that "Angelina adores him and says he's like a brother to her and they're even talking about taking a tour of Europe together, that's how close they've gotten."

Angie and Akala dating rumors first surfaced in late August after they were seen together in Venice, Italy. According to In Touch at the time, the "Without Blood" director was seeing not just one, but two different men at the same time. She has reportedly gotten close to Akala and Tony winner Justin Levine for "the past year of so."

However, the news was quickly shut down by multiple sources. "She and Akala are not dating. She is friends with him and his partner, Chanelle, who was also there," one of the sources told PEOPLE. Other sources told TMZ that the Oscar-winning actress was not dating anyone at the moment and is keeping her focus on her family and her career.