There was a piano melody I had been working on for a month but for some reason I could not find words to fit it. This melody was beautiful yet it haunted me, says Hakim. It was frustrating because words usually come easy to meThe words to Sleepless in Decatur, the title track of Hakim's debut album came to him but not until his hectic grind to musical success came to a screeching halt after a case of racial profiling and mistaken identity in the city of Decatur. While Hakim was locked up for several days for a minor traffic violation, separated from his lady but not from his restless thoughts, the lyrics to the title track rushed to him like a free flowing cascade.
Songs from his debut music project Sleepless in Decatur may just be the cool rush of fresh water the music industry has thirst for. Hakims soothing yet striking melodies and soulfully poetic lyrics send the listener into his universe. The refreshing title tracks piano arrangement and smooth vocals pulse with the nostalgia of an era gone by, but retains its new-school edginess. The strikingly beautiful yet raw duet Looking for a Love and the metaphoric mid-tempo groove Come 2 Me are stand outs in an already superb body of work. The narrative dance-floor thumper Dance with Destiny further showcases Hakims song writing ability and creativity. The socially introspective Resoullution takes the listener into the mind of a neighborhood dope-dealer attempting to come to grips with his ways. Hakims work with Hidden Beach songstress/song writer Lina who provides two more gems to the project, called Good Thang and the crowd pleaser, Over Me which electrified a sold out Earthlink Live audience and garnered him praise from the Atlanta Journal and Constitution newspaper.
Hakim is establishing himself as a focused renaissance man. This two-time V103 Passion Poetry performer is the founding member of SoullRenaissance Productions. At first glance, the singer/songwriter/producer/entertainer/actor/screenwriter is so talented and versatile that he is all over the place artistically. However, at first listen, one finds a gifted artist who is extremely focused on rejuvenating a soul music scene that is becoming as dull and redundant as the 90s R&B scene it once enhanced.
Growing up in South West Atlanta, Hakim was influenced by the likes of Marvin Gaye, Prince, LTD, The Last Poets, and Stevie Wonder. He began showing an affinity for the stage at ten, acting in various school plays. At the age of twelve, he discovered his ability to sing and write songs his love affair with music began. He was accepted to the renowned high school; The Dekalb School of the Performing Arts, where he honed his dramatic talents. While attending The University of Tennessee, Hakim became proficient at playing piano and guitar. Writing catchy songs became his passion and his live performances at Greek shows and local coffee shops, and open mics made him a campus idol. The positive reaction of his peers towards his music motivated him to transfer to Georgia State University to pursue a career in a city more conducive to his musical style.
While finishing his BA degree at GA. State, Hakim began to brush up his acting skills by playing lead roles in Indie Films such as Choose, Skitz 2 and the pilot sitcom College Land. He also arranged the scores for the aforementioned films as well as well as the horror Mary Mac. Hakim now plans on combining both his musical and dramatic skills with his first self-written feature film In Vain, a romantic comedy which will not only star Hakim and his music but the talents of other artist both known and unknown.
Over the years, Hakim has grown into a complete artist. Having all the tools needed to make it and to make a lasting impression: talent, drive, originality, and humility the time for renaissance is now.
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