The day was Sunday July 25th, 2015 when I first set my eyes on Blackman Akeeb Kareem.
Egbon Segun Akinlolu( Beautiful Nubia) invited me to grace a musical concert he was putting together in honor of Blackman Akeeb Kareem’s visit to Nigeria after 35 years in the Uk.
As I stepped into the Eniobanke Event Place at Adekunle Fajuyi in Ikeja, I saw people drinking palmwine, dancing and rolling in ectasy to the sound of the songs coming out of the speakers. Suddenly I heard a strong angelic voice singing ” E BA MI WA OLOLUFE MI ” I shivered as the song set goosebumps all over my body. (Lol) I thought the man who was on stage clauded in Adire Eleko attire was dedicating the familiar Evergreen song to me.
Oh! Here I was face to face with Blackman of Folk the great Black Akeeb Kareem who have left strong musical memories of his Evergreen Folk classics in my heart since childhood. A man whose songs ruled Nigerian airwaves in the 60’s through 80’s.
After watching Blackman on stage for several hours and mesmerized with his innate talent and unique voice I pondered deeply on how such a great talent would leave Nigeria and travel for greener pastures abroad like many others even at the peak of his career.
After his performance I decided to meet him and introduce myself . Oh! Blackman with all humility even as a legend greeted me so compassionately. I went straight to business of the day and asked if baba could honour an invitation to our Evergreen Music Office. We exchanged numbers and he asked me to call him.
I left with anxiety and memories of his great performance that night. The next day I called Blackman and we fixed a meeting in our office.
I had a lot of questions to ask Blackman. When Baba arrived I asked him if he cared for correct Pounded Yam and Efo Riro or Amala and Gberi/ ewedu (lol). Baba eventually made his choice among the two and we ate.
As it is customary in my tradition as a Yoruba Babe to allow an elder to feel relaxed, settled and entertained before bugging him or her up with questions.
Few minutes we went into conversation. I asked Blackman about his music, his life and aspirations. I reminded him of his days at Celestial Church of Christ Olorugoso , Ibadan where as one of the Oluso’s he composed the Evergreen song” Baba Mi Loloko” which he told me was an inspiration he got when one of his church members bought a new car and decided to bless it.
He talked about his ordeal with music labels in Nigeria at that time and how they lacked accountability and transparency in business dealings with him
His decision to finally leave Nigeria according to him came in 1984 when he attended the Olympics games. He said on this faithful day he watched Lionel Richie’s performance and then later he started talking to some record labels in the Uk.
About religion he said he converted from Islam to Christianity after a personal encounter with God in 1997.
With the Blackman of Folk there is a lot of memories to share but time won’t permit as we all are in celebration mood today.
Today he will be remembered for timeless Classic like Amebo, Ololufe, Omo, Ara Me Riri, Baba Mi Loloko, etc.