Akeeb Kareem made considerable impact as a singer , composer, guitarist and band leader from 60’s to the 80’s.
Long before the wind of change from the imitation of foreign music to authenticity began to blow across Africa in the 60’s, Akeeb Kareem was there, making his influence felt. As a matter of fact before such Afro inspired sounds as Allah wakaba by Ofo the Black Company led by the late Larry Ifediorama and Jeun Koku from the Afrobeat legend himself, Fela Anikulapo Kuti adopted authenticity in terms of the Africanisation of their music, Akeeb Kareem was already recording Afro-Pop fusions for Deca West Africa Records.
So consistent and commited was Kareem that his mode of dress and that of his entire band was in the true African fashion. Needless to say that his compositions , most of which were written in Yoruba language, were meaningful and replete with inventiveness.
Even when the eighties ushered in a revolution in pop music with Felix Liberty and Chris Okotie in the forefront, Akeeb stuck to his authentic and remained unshaken in his resolve to identify with African music.
The era of the 70’s was that of livebands as opposed to the miming that has taken over today, reducing musical performance to mere entertainment, without any concrete message to hold on to.
The era of Akeeb Kareem was that of Johnny Hastrup of Monomono, Segun Bucknor and Revolution, Fred Fisher and his Ogiza Band among others who all created their different styles of fusion with varying sound identities.
Akeeb Kareem was perhaps the most successful, not because of his musicianship but because of record sales arising from popular acceptance. He identified with the grass roots in terms of compositions themes and liveshows. Almost all the musicians decorated and surrounded themselves with African relics of ancient times to depict the images of the bands, but Akeeb’s mode of dressing was simple in the sense that rather than look outlandish , he mixed European styles with Africa fashion. And this gave him a unique image.
On Shanu Olu’s stable in the early 80’s, Akeeb registered an artistic impression with the recording of a bit called Amebo. Apparently inspired by the role played by the great actress Ibidun Allison on the memorable television series, Village Headmaster, Akeeb told story of a rumour monger and backed it up with his simple but powerful music. But the album that has continued to paint him in good artistic light, even though not as financially rewarding is Ololufe which means My Love produced by Odion Iruoje .
Blackman Akeeb Kareem is one of Nigeria’s talented musicians. His song Amebo occupied a comfortable slot on the hit parade chart in 1984.
