Blackman Akeeb Kareem is a Nigerian born guitarist is a traditional Folklorist turned Gospel Witness that exemplifies the African traditional griots with their folkloric creativity and basking away the euphoria of being able to make the traditional music lovers yearn for more. He is as well, a Singer/songwriter, producer, and composer.
His career spans the golden era of the 1970s–80s through to a current focus on gospel music. Rooted in the African griot tradition, his performances blend storytelling and song, drawing on folk idioms that resonate with audiences at home and in the diaspora. In recent years, Kareem has emphasized a Christ-centered message in his music, describing his work simply: “I try to connect people with Jesus Christ.”
Kareem’s formal schooling ended at primary five, a detail he recounts with gratitude to God. His journey into music therefore reflects a calling nurtured outside conventional conservatories - shaped instead by community, tradition, and diligent self-development.
Coming to prominence in Nigeria, especially among those who grew up in the 1970s and early 1980s**—Kareem became known for his deft guitar work, folksong renditions, and charismatic stagecraft. His artistry “exemplifies the African traditional griots,” using folklore and live performance to keep cultural memory alive and to delight lovers of indigenous music. A signature of his stage presence in those years was an easy smile and relaxed, rootsy style that endeared him to fans.
Kareem’s moniker and stage name “Blackman” derives from one of his own hits: *“Call me Blackman, I will love you.” The nickname stuck and has since become synonymous with his public persona.
Though he has spent seasons living outside Nigeria**, Kareem stresses the joy and importance of returning to play before home audiences. Performing for the “home crowd,” he notes, stirs deep memories and helps him appreciate how far God has brought his journey. He also underscores radio’s role in connecting musicians and listeners—without that connection, “nobody gets to know the musicians.”
Discography and Notable Works* **Debut era:** Fans embraced his **1983** album *Baba mi lo loko ti nwa oko re*, a folk-rooted collection that helped cement his popularity.
Faith and Message
Kareem openly identifies his present vocation as gospel music, aiming to use his art to point listeners to Jesus Christ. His shift from mainstream folklore toward explicitly Christian themes demonstrates how the gifts of culture, storytelling, and musicianship can be consecrated for witness—meeting audiences where they are while inviting them into the hope of the gospel.
Style and LegacyAs a **guitar-playing folklorist**, Kareem stands in the line of African minstrels who preserve language, proverbs, and communal memory through song. His blend of Yoruba folklore, guitar rhythms, and audience rapport shaped a generation’s musical palate and continues to serve as a bridge between tradition and contemporary gospel proclamation. For Christian creatives, his story commends excellence, cultural rootedness, and the courage to let one’s platform become a testimony.
https://ibandmagazine.wordpress.com/2019/11/21/music-akeeb-kareem-the-guitar-and-a-blackman/ "Music |Akeeb Kareem, the guitar and a Blackman – iBAND Magazine"
Songs by Blackman Akeeb Kareem
Blackman Akeeb Kareem is in his later years and he has announced gospel-themed songs signaling a clear ministry emphasis in his writing and performances. His newly composed songs include:
- Is Your Christ Alive or Dead?
- What Jesus Christ did for me
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