Believe In Yourself

In light of the ongoing racial injustices, Kashaka
Olukayode and his wife, Sauda Olukayode, have put their frustrations to
music via their newly released“Believe in Yourself





#BlackLivesMatter, it’s an understatement, or rather a statement that
should be rhetorical by now in this Post-Civil-Rights-Movement era.
However, incidents such as those involving Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown,
Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, and adding to the tragedies, others
including, Baltimore’s Freddie Gray, and now George Floyd and Breonna
Taylor, are proving to many African Americans that certain inalienable
rights, can likely be violated. Widespread and widely known cases of
racial profiling and police brutality are calling attention to offending
officers, meanwhile few have been subject to disciplinary action, an
injustice that has been leaving victims, their families, and the
community at large, unsatisfied. And while outrage had incited many to
respond through various ways and means of protest, one family puts a
different spin on peaceful protest.






Kashaka and his wife Sauda have been married over 38 years and have
always been focused on their family. Still, because they are black and
have been living in Maryland’s more racially diverse neighborhoods, his
entire family has been stopped, questioned, and even harassed,
unnecessarily. Speaking openly to their friends of all races, they see
the pattern. They know the number of these instances are
disproportionately higher for black people not only in Baltimore but
across the US. Their car had once been confiscated two days before
Christmas by the police, claiming an insurance violation, even though
Kashaka had already previously provided proof of insurance. And, perhaps
the most shocking of all encounters happened a few years ago with a
case of “mistaken identity,” where his family was subjected to unlawful
entry, as well as an illegal search and seizure, destroying their home
and belongings.






In light of the ordeal his family has been facing, Kashaka Olukayode
and his wife, Sauda Olukayode, have put their frustrations to music.
They have taken their stage show to nursing homes, community centers,
and weddings. “We were all put on this earth for a reason and a purpose.
Aside from our everyday jobs, we sing cover tunes and music from our
“Believe in Yourself” CD, hoping to inspire folks in our community,
reminding them each to stay encouraged,” says Kashaka.


Kashaka & Sauda Olukayode the husband & wife singing duo
& song writing team, started entertaining in the early 1970’s, with a
trio group called the “Kendells”, in Baltimore, MD. Upon
meeting manager & promoter Lou Karpouzie, the group then became the
front vocal group for the “Sound Track Band”, from 1970 to 1983. In 1978
Sauda attended acting school at The Theatre project, in Baltimore. In
1983, Shaka & Sauda formed a band called “Classic Revue” which open
up for The Manhattans, & Regina Bell. In 1986 Sauda won the “Randy
Dennis Best Fest”, which included superstar ” Toni Braxton”, that win
earned her a trip to perform as special quest at the world famous ”
Apollo Theatre”, in New York. In 1987 Sauda won first place in the WWIN
radio station talent contest, hosted by “Magic 95.9 Tim Watts”.In 1988
Shaka & Sauda’s band  Classic Revue” won the Budweiser Showdown,
they also won with the winning song that they wrote, called. “Don’t Stop
Knocking on that Door”, the song earn a “certificate of achievement”
from Billboard magazine. They also earned a opportunity to open up for
“Peabo Bryson” & the Four Tops, at the Baltimore Arena. The contest
had over 25,000 entries. In 1990-91 Sauda was semi-finalist in the
Billie Holiday vocal competition. In 2000 Shaka & Sauda release a CD
called “Good Ole Days”, featuring “Mama’s Song”, a song that they wrote
in 1982, & a remake of, “Ruby & the Romatics, Our Day Will
Come”. Also on that CD is a song that they wrote called “Get on the
Floor”, that features their son.






In 2016 Shaka & Sauda release a CD called “Believe in Yourself”,
the CD included, musician/producer Moe Daniels, jazz musician “Kim
Waters”, & song writer & producer (James Rasheed Carter). The CD
was recorded at Hot Tracks Studio. In 2019 Shaka & Sauda released
their latest single, ” My Love “, featuring 3 of their grandchildren.
That track was recorded at “Above Ground Studio in Baltimore. Some of
the places they have played in Maryland are:, The Phase Three, Twin
Pines in Essex, Brown’s Beef & Beer, Mother Lode’s Wild Cherry,
Lafayette Palace, The Famous Ballroom, The Alcazar, also Harbor Cruises,
World Trade Center, Martin West, Timonium Fair Grounds, Afram, Knights
of Columbus, Reisterstown Road Plaza, & The VFW Post.






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http://www.shaka-sauda.com/index.html