Kareem Richards (Aka, Don Richie)

Back when everyone else was sleeping on this Classic Man, we saw the spark. This profile shows you exactly why they were destined for impact…

On first listen, his voice left me mesmerized. From the time that I met this young man, I was impressed with his magnetic stage presence that draws people in from the moment he steps into the spotlight. With his pretty boy good looks, cornrowed locks, and piercing eyes, our Classic Man exudes both charisma and charm.

To be completely honest, outside of his looks, it’s his voice that truly sets him apart. Rich and velvety, his vocal range spans from soulful lows to soaring highs, allowing him to effortlessly convey a wide range of emotions through his music. His voice has an emotional depth that resonates with listeners on a profound level.

Our Classic Man has a natural flair for storytelling through his songs, and his heartfelt lyrics reflect his personal experiences and struggles. This authenticity shines through in every performance, as he bares his soul in his recordings, connecting with his audience on an intimate level. His passion for music is evident in every note he sings, and his infectious energy spreads like wildfire, leaving listeners captivated by his artistry.

With song like “Avenue Road,” “On Girl,” “Why,” and “In You” Kareem Richards (Aka, Don Richie), is bringing dancehall music back to the people. In speaking with him, he was clear about his endeavor to preserve and celebrate this vibrant genre. Celebrating dancehall reggae music is a wonderful way to pay homage to the vibrant and influential genre that has captured the hearts of people worldwide. Dancehall reggae originated in Jamaica in the late 1970s and has since evolved into a global phenomenon, spreading its infectious rhythms and lyrics across various cultures.

Some critics argue that modern dancehall music often contains explicit or offensive lyrics, glorifying violence, substance abuse, and objectifying women. This can lead to concerns about the impact on young listeners and society as a whole. Dancehall music has faced criticism for promoting homophobic attitudes and lyrics that incite violence against the LGBTQ+ community. Some fans of reggae music, which is closely related to dancehall, feel that modern dancehall has deviated too far from its roots and that it has lost the conscious and socially conscious elements that reggae traditionally carried.

Kareem is working on changing the negative narratives, and he is doing this with a tool that is unique to him, his voice. I had a chance to catch up with Kareem, and his story initially threw me for a loop…

“I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Both of my parents are from Jamaica, and they raised me as a Jamaican. My parents are very proud Jamaicans, and everything from music, food, language was instilled in me. I completed all of my education here, and my brother came here when he was sixteen, so I parred (slang for hang out with) with him, which is the reason for my strong accent.”

“Honestly,” I replied. “If you didn’t tell me that you were from Canada, I would have sworn you just jumped off the boat yesterday. Your accent is very strong.”

“Well, my grandmother lived in Little Jamaica, and my grandmother from my mother’s side lived with us, so the language was around me from birth.”

“Tell me a little about your earlier years.”

“There was always music in my home. My parents did a great job of keeping me in extracurricular activities. My first sport was martial arts, then basketball, then soccer until I was in my 20’s.

In middle school, there was a talent show. For that show I performed a hip hop song, and it was very well received. I did it once and never looked back again. Instead, I focused on my training in sports, but when I touched university, my friend suggested heading back down the music path. My friend always told me that music was my thing, but I was surrounded by soccer especially because my dad was a soccer coach.”

With time, Kareem saw that music was just his God given gift.

“It was dancehall and reggae that called me. I was in a group called Island Connects, and then I decided to go solo. I love R&B, dancehall, and reggae, so I fused them.

My parents are very supportive; they know that they raised me well, so when I decided on music, they just expected excellence. My mom appreciates my music, and my dad sees me as a selecta (DJ). When he hears my songs on the radio, he shares his pride. One person that I have to give it to is my older brother who has supported me from inception. He actually manages me right now.

“What would you say is your musical niche Kareem, and how has breaking into the Canadian music industry been for you?”

“I am a dancehall fusion act, and this made it difficult for me to get bookings; they thought that I would be going on with slackness. That is not me; I am looking at international success, global music, music that can be played anywhere. All I needed was a chance, and that has been difficult.

It has also been challenging getting the right people’s attention. There seems to be a barrier in Toronto when it comes to dancehall; Toronto is not just hip-hop, and to me, it is really not a Toronto thing, it is more of a New York thing. It is almost as if you don’t sound like a Yankee, they don’t want to run you.

Most of my support is in the UK; I used my social media to reach the masses: Spotify, Soundcloud, other promotions. Jamaica has also supported me; they have shown me a lot of love; they rate me.”

“Where do you see yourself in the next five years Kareem? Let’s manifest this for you. Put it out there.”

“Simone, you know what; I see myself at the Grammy’s. I expect to be in movies, acting. I am multi-talented and have a lot to offer the entertainment industry. I work hard every day. I was humbly, happy when you decided that you wanted to feature me. This will allow me to share my joy of music, and my desire to bring dancehall back to where it needs to be.”

Kareem is a true artist, and his dedication to his craft is evident in the way he effortlessly produces incredible music. With a dedicated fan base that spans the globe, Kareem is well on his way to becoming a household name in the music industry.  Despite his rising fame, he remains down-to-earth and approachable, never forgetting the humble beginnings that shaped him as an artist. With each new song, Kareem continues to push the boundaries of his art, evolving and growing as a musician, ensuring that his unique voice will resonate for years to come.