AKAMI & THE KEY OF G

Artist Information

Biography

Mississippi native Akami Graham is no stranger to music. Since playing the piano at the age of five, Akami has been a loyal musician and performer. With a gospel background, Akami’s eclectic mix of R&B, neo-soul, gospel and old school sound is one of Jackson’s finest. Showcasing her talents throughout the greater Jackson area, Akami has opened for artists such as Jaguar Wright, Pretty Willie and B. B. King as well as performed background vocals for Compositionz, Willie Clayton and Kenny Wayne. Akami has also performed with the likes of some of the area’s most prominent bands including Seven featuring Ezra Brown. Since being voted “Most Talented” by the Jim Hill class of 1999, Akami has continued to receive quite a few honors and awards for her vocal talents. Some of these awards include: Omega Psi Phi Youth Talent Hunt winner (1999); Jackson Music Awards Nominee for Best Female Vocalist (2003-2006); American Idol Semi-Finalist (2005) and Nightlife’s R&B Artist of the Year in Jackson Free Press (2007-2011). Akami has performed all over the south and was the recipient of 2010 Jackson Music Award for Best Female Vocalist. The Soul Revival II and III, Riverfest, the Two Rivers Gala, and the Jackson Mississippi Convention Complex, are just a few places that have been graced with her soulful and melodic voice. Now you can see Akami performing live at various venues in Jackson on Friday and Saturday nights.

Instrumentation

"The Key of G" members include-Cedric-Bass Guitar, Neil Mitchell-Drums, Steve Lewis-Keys, Lead Guitar, Jerekus Singleton, Kristie M. and Kayla Jeanne-background vocals

Discography

In Progress

Links

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Audio

• ROCK WITH YOU
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• NATURAL WOMAN
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• SWEET THANG
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• SWEET AND SOULFUL [+ Show ]
  

  by Adrienne Hearn Photo by Jason Jarin July 19, 2006 The sweet and soulful voice of Akami Graha...by Adrienne Hearn
  Photo by Jason Jarin
  July 19, 2006
  
  The sweet and soulful voice of Akami Graham fills a room full of people who’ve come to kick back, share a drink with friends and listen to great music at the end of a long hard day of work. Here at The Executive on Thursday nights, it isn’t a rare thing to observe listeners eagerly showing their enjoyment by singing along, or to watch as male club-goers show their appreciation for Graham’s act by willingly giving up their own cold hard cash to the siren as she belts out some of the greatest hits from artists like Chaka Kahn, Betty Wright, Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige.
  
  Graham says that she loves to perform and loves the reaction that she receives from the audience. Her onstage presence is full of life and reveals an entertainer who is comfortable and at one with her audience. By contrast, upon first introductions, Graham seems a bit introverted, giving short but sweet answers to questions about her interests and her desires for a career in music, as well as her history as a budding vocalist with such a strong voice.
  Born and bred here in the city of Jackson, 25-year-old Graham attended Jim Hill High School, where she was a member of the Jim Hill Singers. The reputable talent of the Jim Hill Singers allowed them to travel to places such as Italy, giving Graham a glimpse into the type of rewarding lifestyle that could be achieved as a great performance artist.
  Graham’s stepping stone into the world of music began at the age of 5 when she began taking piano lessons. However, Graham states that she wasn’t even aware of her actual singing ability until much later: “I didn’t get into singing until junior high. My music teacher at school … I didn’t really know I could sing until he put me on the spot and made me sing a solo,” she says.
  Graham’s Thursday night routine generally consists of R&B music combined with a bit of southern soul. Throw in a live band, and you’ve got a night of live entertainment that just can’t be beat. Graham says that music is indeed her first love and that she enjoys listening to Jill Scott, Bilal and Mint Condition as well as other music artists. Though at the moment she isn’t signed to any particular indie or major recording company, Graham’s desire is to find her place in the entertainment world one day. “I want to leave my mark as a real entertainer,” she says.
  Graham is looking to put together her own solo project, hopefully with the help of popular Mississippi producer Drummaboi of Traxxtar Records. However, this time, pre-recorded hits from other artists will not be featured on this exclusive project: Graham says she will be writing her own material and believes she has a lot to say.
  
  “I write about love, heartache, disappointment and different life experiences,” Graham says.
  
  While “staying the pace” on the road to becoming a successful solo artist taking hold of as many performance opportunities as possible, Graham enlists the help of two good friends to help take care of the business that we as listeners are so rarely aware of in the world of entertainment. Dana Terry, owner of Signature Affairs, helps with Graham’s public relations, while Kory Banks, with Hardkore Promotions, acts as manager.
  
  Graham can be seen and heard every Thursday night at The Executive on Bailey Avenue beginning at 9 p.m. The songstress is also available for hire for private functions as well. “I do different venues, weddings, you know, receptions … all types of private functions.” Graham can be booked through manager Kory Banks at 601-918-3914.
  
  

• THE BEST OF JACKSON NIGHTLIFE 2007 [+ Show ]
  

  Best R&B artist: Akami Graham To hear the best R&B voice in the city, make it your business to go t...Best R&B artist: Akami Graham
  To hear the best R&B voice in the city, make it your business to go to the Executive Place on Bailey Avenue. There, you can hear Akami Graham singing songs the godmothers of rhythm & blues made famous. Singers like Chaka Kahn and Aretha Franklin. As Graham puts her on twist on ‘70s classics, she brings you up-to-date, paying tribute to modern-day performing artists like Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige. This sweet and soulful singer definitely has a music career she can look forward to, and Jackson has in its own backyard, a star in the making.
  

• THE BEST OF JACKSON NIGHTLIFE 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  Best R&B Artist: Akami Graham by C. D. Eubanks This stunning and seductive songstress has been t...Best R&B Artist: Akami Graham
  by C. D. Eubanks
  
  This stunning and seductive songstress has been tantalizing local listeners for five years. Graham credits her success to her humble beginnings as a church pianist and singer. But it was at a performance of the Jackson group High Frequency that she was asked to sing, and it jump-started her R&B career. Since then, Akami has been wowing audiences with her powerful voice and range with a stage presence that will hold you captive until she lets you go. With influences like Jill Scott, Chaka Khan, Lisa McClendon, Mary J. Blige and Mint Condition, this vocalist is sure to have something for every listener. If she was this hot in 2007, I can’t wait to see what Akami has for us in 2008.
  
  Second: (tie) Dorothy Moore; Romain / Third: M.L. / Good Showing: Recognition; Kamikaze
  

• Best R&B Artist: [+ Show ]
  

  She’s done it again! Graham has been one of Jackson’s shining stars, singing like an angel for years...She’s done it again! Graham has been one of Jackson’s shining stars, singing like an angel for years, and she isn’t done yet. She continues to bring the eclectic mix of R&B, neo-soul, gospel and old school that we have come to adore and appreciate from her. No stranger to music, Graham has performed all over the South, from Tennessee to Alabama and back to her home state of Mississippi. No matter your age, color or musical preference, she will definitely bring you a show you will never forget. —Queen Folayan

Setlist

HERE IS MY TYPICAL REPERTOIRE. DEPENDING ON THE GIG, THIS IS ALTERED. MY SETS USUALLY RANGE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30-50 MINS.

After the Pain Betty Wright
Ain't Got You Alicia Keys
Ain't Nobody Chaka Khan
Ascension Maxwell
Be Without You Mary J. Blige
Before I Let Go Frankie Beverly
Diary Alicia Keys
Do For Love Bobby Caldwell
Do Me Baby Prince
Electric Slide Marcia Griffith
Fallin Alicia Keys
If You Only Knew Patti Labelle
I'm Going Down Mary J. Blige
KISS PRINCE
Lady Marmalade Pattie Labelle
Let's Do It Again Stacks
Love No Limit Mary J. Blige
Midnight Train Gladys Knight
Neither One of Us Gladys Knight
No One Alicia Keys
Real Love Mary J. Blige
Respect Aretha Franklin
Rock With You Michael Jackson
Sweet Love Anita Baker
Sweet Thang Chaka Khan
Somethin' Good Chaka Khan
The Way Jill Scott
Through The Fire Chaka Khan
To Be Real Cherryl Lynn
Umbrella Rihanna
Unbreakable Alicia Keys
YOU're Gonna Luv Me Jennifer Holiday

ALSO:
TEMPTATIONS/MOTOWN
AMY WHINEHOUSE
EARTH, WIND, FIRE
NORA JONES
BEYONCE-HAILO & SINGLE LADIES (PUT A RING ON IT)
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED-STEVIE WONDER
PROUD MARY, WHATS LOVE GOT TO DO, DISCO INFERNO, ROCK ME BABY -TINA TURNER
SAVING ALL MY LOVE-WHITNEY HOUSTON
SADE-NO ORDINARY LOVE
SADE-KISS OF LIFE
GIMME ONE REASON- TRACY CHAPMAN
AT LAST-ETTA JAMES
NATURAL WOMAN-ARETHA FRANKLIN
TELL ME SOMTHING GOOD-CHAKA KHAN
FOR THE LOVE OF YOU-ISLEY BROTHERS
FEEL LIKE MAKIN LOVE-ROBERTA FLACK
KILLING ME SOFTLY-ROBERTA FLACK
NO ORDINARY LOVE-SADE
KISS OF LIFE-SADE
DR. FEEL GOOD-ARETHA FRANKLIN
AT LAST-ETTA JAMES
I'LL TAKE YOU THERE-STAPLE SINGERS
MUSTANG SALLY
BRICK HOUSE
DOWNHOME BLUES

Basic Requirements

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