Today we’d like to introduce you to Makis Raqeem.
Hi Makis, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
It all started from the day I was born. My dad was a dj, so I was constantly exposed to music. The soulful songs about social issues in the inner cities stood out the most. That ultimately became the type of records I began to create. I beatbox and rap on the bus ride home from Kirkwood Kysor Elementary. Moving forward to July 2020, I won The Cash4Change Contest with UnitedMasters & Cash App for my song Ahmaud Aubrey. I’ve also earned A Sync deal with UnitedMasters, the biggest digital distributor for independent artists.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been challenging. I grew up inferior. My friend Jaz introduced me to the beat-making software FL Studio at 16. He showed me it was a way to make beats Digitally. I now knew I could transfer Melodie’s from out of my head to the speakers for people to hear. The only issue was that I needed more time to afford the equipment. The biggest struggle was the amount of bias in the Saint Louis Rap Scene. If you didn’t sound like Nelly or make records about money, cars, sex, guns, and women, or if you didn’t know or were related to those who had control over the music we heard in Saint Louis, you got overlooked.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I make soul music, and my records are for people going through daily struggles and feeling hopeless. Like griots, I give them something to carry on with. I feel it’s important to restore the strength of the forgotten. I specialize in bringing empathy and making folks feel again. My performances have often brought tears to many faces and, most importantly, hope. My Voice, my cadence matched with what I am saying in my lyrics, sets me apart from everyone else. Despite all the obstacles, I kept my faith in myself. I had every reason to give up, and even when things seemed hopeless, I stuck To the script.
We love surprises, fun facts, and incredible stories. Can you share something that might surprise us?
I love spirituality, metaphysics, and astrology. This helps me create songs like “myself need love” or “vibration hi”. Outside of music, I make healing crystals talismans to wear to help people with their everyday needs. I am in love with the healing energy of being out in nature.
Pricing:
- $222 https://www.carbonherbsco.net/product/black-sapphire/67?cs=true&cst=custom
- $222 https://www.carbonherbsco.net/product/herkimer-diamond-x-black-ethiopian-opal/66?cs=true&cst=custom
- $222 https://www.carbonherbsco.net/product/labradorite-evil-eye/60?cs=true&cst=custom
- $12.12 https://makisraqeem.bandcamp.com/album/soul-is-g-d
Contact Info:
- Website: https://unitedmasters.com/makis-raqeem
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makisraqeem/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Makisraqeem/?refsrc=deprecated&_rdr
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/makisraqeem
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@RaqeemSWay
- Other: carbonherbsco.net
