A typical theme among entrepreneurs is that they give it their all when it comes to the pursuit of their dreams. For those like Kice Akkawi – a music producer, CEO, and DJ – it’s simply not in the cards to give up quickly, or at all for that matter. Widely called the “Steve Jobs of music curation”, Akkawi overcame obstacles such as differences in countries and cultures, as well as broke barriers without the benefit of having a role model to guide him. Now, he owns a successful music agency known nationwide.
Although born in Chicago, Akkawi spent his early years in his native Jordan. The philosophy he developed at that time persists in his mind and actions to this day. Simply stated, it holds that music expresses thoughts which cannot be conveyed through speech alone, and is therefore a universal language. After honing his DJ proficiency as a teen, Akkawi showed up on the music scene in Chicago in 2007, followed by earning himself a continuing residency at Sound-Bar, one of Chicago’s best rated nightclubs. He subsequently became famous for being able to read his audience accurately, as well as for integrating all music genres into his sets. Akkawi is also known for his ability to attract crowds, and perhaps most important of all, dragging in energy into all the venues he performs at. These days he performs at famous festivals and nightclubs the world over, and frequently teams up with top-shelf instrumentalists.
Much like any immigrant living in the US, Akkawi had a certain obligation to live up to his culture’s high standards, which included keeping a full-time job and a steady income, getting a master’s degree, and adhering to cultural traditions. This was hard to carry alongside the pursuit of his musical passion. It meant living a double life – one where he worked for a corporation and the other where he performed Thursday through Saturday. Years passed before he finally decided that the music inside of him could be denied no longer.
After giving up the corporate side of his life in 2015, he began using the skills he had gained from it and founded Treblemonsters, which at first was a music consultancy and artist management agency servicing venues and talent on an international level. Clients of Treblemonsters today include top-tier nightlife brands, as well as big names in the corporate and hospitality sectors. Akkawi’s current team also manages a handful of sub-brands, which translates to unique and custom bookings from bands, singers, instrumental artists, and DJs every weekend.
Once COVID-19 hit, Akkawi took it upon himself to become an artistic leader of sorts, setting off a movement aimed at supporting unemployed artists. Said movement served as a driving force when it came to the PUA in Illinois, which qualified people not eligible for state unemployment benefits to get financial assistance. To take it a step further, Akkawico-founded a website which provided information concerning a variety of topics such as where to find discounted food, and where to find relief and economic resources.
Akkawi also has a unique electronic group named Treble Squad, which was created through the network of artists serviced by Treblemonsters. It combines DJ skills with original music and live performances by MGabriel (Saxophone) and Violin Girl (Violin). The group gained quick fame as a touring act, through performances at notable venues like Northern Nights Music Festival, Burning Man, Hard Rock Cafe, Spring Awakening Music Festival, PRYSM Nightclub, and others.
Akkawi’s voyage from a corporate job with his music aspirations in the backseat, and to a round the clock producer, DJ, and CEO of an agency, are a testament to the passion and drive this man possesses. He is unflinchingly committed to advancing incredible entertainment and music, while also offering support to artists and clients. Akkawi continues his march towards the same goals and watches over the daily operations at Treblemonsters, and in the meantime, his future hasn’t looked brighter – in the pipeline are a custom software for artist booking and a few upcoming releases, as well as live shows.
