Kai Akili: The Chicago-born Neosoul Performer Shaping the Future of Artistic Expression

Chicago's own Kai Akili, also known as Tyler Martin, is a multifaceted neosoul artist whose talents extend beyond making music to performing, visual arts, and curating both events and fine arts. As the driving force behind Forever Noir, a creative company and independent record label, Akili brings to the South Side a unique platform for local talent showcase, offering open mikes, interviews, and promotional music videos.

Forever Noir is more than a label; it's a collective that includes notable members like DJ Stain, Domeríe, Chronicle, and others, all working towards a mission of 'healing through expression.' Akili, with his team, harnesses the power of artistic creation to fuel change, especially within marginalized communities, aiming to foster resilience and unity through art.

From Chicago Roots to New Orleans Jazz

Akili's musical journey is a path marked by soul and growth. His childhood in Chicago, surrounded by soul music, laid the groundwork for his affection for harmonious melodies and complex chord structures. This love intensified as he delved into learning piano and music theory in high school, later blossoming in his neosoul creations that merge his musical influences and skill.

In pursuit of deeper musical knowledge, Akili attended Dillard University in New Orleans, seeking to master jazz and assemble a band. This quest led him to discover myriad artists in need of a platform – a need he fulfilled by co-founding Black Tide Entertainment, which revamped the open-mike scene on campus and sought to build a music industry within the collegiate setting.

A Mission to Heal Through Art

Post-college and back in Chicago, Akili transformed his vision into Forever Noir. The organization now stands as an agency spearheading events and offering educational art programs. Forever Noir's ethos of healing through artistry comes alive in partnerships like the one with the Silver Room, which facilitates open-mike nights and poetry events.

Akili's focus stays clear on creating experiences that extend beyond music. The aim is not solely about financial gains but to deepen connections between artists and audiences, touching upon the therapeutic essence of art. This involves developing unique merchandise that resonates with an artist's craft, like poetry-inspired stationery, to encourage self-expression among fans.

Next Steps for Akili and Forever Noir

The vision for Forever Noir is vast, encompassing more than music production. Akili aspires to redefine the intricacies of the music industry, placing emphasis on how music serves as a backdrop to life's experiences and how it can be innovatively utilized to instigate genuine connection. With initiatives on the horizon such as a debut album and a new EP, Akili's journey through music and expression has no bounds.

Akili's narrative, paralleling Forever Noir's essence, reflects passion and intentional creation. It signifies an echo of the past and a beacon for the future, emanating from the heart of Chicago and extending its reach to touch souls universally through the healing power of the arts.

artist, music, community