专辑简介

ChazAkeem – Vocalist/Composer/Percussionist

Recording artist ChazAkeem, is native to the Quad Cities, USA. He is an accomplished award winning poet and songwriter, as well as an adept singer and percussionist. ChazAkeem’s professional career began when the merger of poetics with the creative talents of the Charleston, SC based African Drum and Dance Troupe, “Images of Mind” in the early 90’s. Based on their vibrant and enthusiastic performances over the next decade, they gained a reputation as a great festival and opening act in the southeast, where they performed alongside Eek-A-Mouse, Yellowman, Steel Pulse and many others. Then combining his lyrical and musical skills, ChazAkeem is united with master drummer and performer supreme Sulaiman Kutay Turay of Freetown, Sierra Leone. Together they formed the electrifying group Masyande, who shared with their audiences a rich new blend of entertainment and cultural awareness. During the spring of 1995 ChazAkeem, along with three dedicated former members of Image of Mind, founded Afrika West Productions and Awbaweto World Music. They were able to release their first compilation of recordings entitle “Kujichagulia” (A Kwanzaa Celebration Theme) in January of 1996. Their second CD release entitled “From Afrika West One People” was released in the spring of 2000, this project did not let it’s listeners down with music that centers on a strong melody coupled with ChazAkeem’s socially conscious lyrics and intricate harmonies. In the same time period ChazAkeem was a member of AfroDisiac, a six-member band based in Charleston. Reminiscent of the great bands of days gone by, AfroDisiac – deemed one of the most exciting party bands on the east coast USA, played a wide variety of music that appealed even to the most discrimination musical palate. Their styles ranged from funk, reggae, jazz, soca, blues and R&B to classic rock. ChazAkeem’s smooth style lead vocals and backing harmonies, along with his command of the percussions, added greatly to the success of this group of talented musicians. Most recently ChazAkeem is back in the studio working on an upcoming CD release entitled “Bonfire”. He has teamed up with the dynamic and talented Producers / Angel Frett from the US Virgin Islands and Redd of KingzBread Entertainment from Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa. Together with their artistry of traditional yet cutting edge style producing and composing along with ChazAkeem’s conscious songwriting and soulful crooners style, the production of arrangements ranging from spitfire dancehall rap to sweet reggae anthems, will culminate in a product that is bound for world attention. ChazAkeem has shared his talents with Ras Ric Williams and Mystic Vibrations from Columbia, SC. – voted the best reggae band in the Carolinas for 2000 and 2001. And has also living-up the stage with Charleston’s Da’ Gullah Rootz, whom created their own un-replicated style of reggae. Whether playing percussion, singing lead vocals or providing background harmonies, ChazAkeem is counted amongst the most talented musicians by peers and professionals on the music scene.