How Football and Music Have Shaped Akeem Gilmore Into the Person He is Today
JOPLIN, MO — Missouri Southern Senior Akeem Gilmore has made his presence known for the Lions Football Team. But, what some of you may not know is that he is also a music artist.
Akeem talked about how football and music go hand in hand but how his passion and love for both is just as strong as the other.
When Akeem Gilmore stepped on campus five years ago, he was a quarterback. After a transition, a wide receiver, his perspective on the game changed.
MSSU Senior Wide Receiver Akeem Gilmore said, “At first you know, it’s hard to handle, like, oh, I’m a quarterback and, I’m QB and I get the ball every play and I had to learn just more of an unselfish aspect of the game to where I don’t get the ball to play anymore now. Right. I don’t get the ball first. I don’t make all the calls. I don’t tell everybody what to do. I have to be one of the working pieces and its done nothing but grow me as a person”.
On the football field, you can always find a Akeem being the guy that’s bringing the energy with a smile on his face because it’s all credit to the work he put in to be in this moment.
Gilmore said, “And that’s all I ever wanted as a as a young athlete, as a young artist, as a young student, I just always wanted an opportunity. And when you give me an opportunity, how can I not be positive, right? How can I not be positive when I know my ability and the capability I have to make the best of that situation”.
And making the best of the opportunity and situation as a music artist, he certainly has.
With his music, Akeem has released four albums where he goes by the name DN Keem, but his love for music is as strong as his love for football.
Gilmore said, “Man it’s therapy. Music does so much for me when, like I say, when I wake up in the morning and I play music, I just kind of get my day started. Music just speaks to the soul, man. Music is monumental in my life”.
But all he has been able to achieve on the football field or in the music studio wouldn’t have been possible without the support of one special person.
Gilmore said, “Definitely my mother. Strongest lady I know, and she just, she’s raised me, my little sister and my uncle. Just drives me every day when I get on the field. Any time I step out there, I just I think about my mom. And then when it comes to music, just my raw emotion and my ability to be genuine, my ability to be transparent and open, authentic, my ability isn’t limited at all. And I understand that I’m just blessed and thankful to have this opportunity and to be able to share on so many platforms”.
If you are interested in checking out Akeem’s albums, they are available numerous platforms like SoundCloud, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.
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