Akim El Sikameya

In the first-of-its-kind-concert in Thiruvananthapuram, Akim El Sikameya will perform their unique Mediterranean music which is a blend of Arab, Andulasian, Gypsy, Flamenco, Folk, Nouba, Ska, Raï, Acoustic, Roots and Jazz.

The Algerian singer Akim El Sikameya, with his top C voice powerful but ambiguous carries a very singular Arab–Mediterranean universe – between gypsy and jazzy tones, sometimes raï, flamenco or klezmer ska. His music shifts between two countries, two cultures and two continents. It moves between tradition and modernity, between acoustic and electric, as well as between so-called elitist music and Akim’s will to make it popular. Rather than a ‘copy and paste’ approach to these elements, Akim aims to blend them together in a way that is relevant to his way of life, which embraces cross-cultural dialogue – a blurring of borders and frontiers.

What adds to his uniqueness is that Akim has transformed the traditional Arab-Andalusian technique of singers being seated while performing and being accompanied by a violin placed on their knees. Instead, Akim plays violin while standing up, resting the instrument on his thighs, which allows for a dynamic performance that enables him to better use his voice and body, while maximizing the space on stage.

The music is both Andalusian and urban, but also joyful and shattering, open and coherent, can be seen as the reflection of the assumed paradoxes of a complete artist, being able to compose nice melodies and to perform them on stage with a remarkable impetuosity.