Akiva's Song aka I'm Freakin' Awesome by Nili Salem & Akiva Zev, ft. Gidon Shikler

MAZAL TOV! HERE IT IS! Please enjoy “Akiva’s Song” aka I’m Freakin’ Awesome… the world’s first Jewish Reggae song about bringing Mashiach through realizing that YOU are Freakin' Awesome, as taught to us by a 7 year old neurodivergent kid in LA! (Currently available on KZbin, please God streaming coming soon!)
If you don’t know the back-story behind the song, it is mind-blowing. I was giving a Torah class in Los Angeles as a response to October 7. We were all (and still are) so devastated, and the only topic I could think to teach about was holding onto hope and strength to bring about world peace, or, the Messianic Redemption for all of humanity, which will also include the return of our murdered brothers and sisters from the dead to life, zichronam livracha (that means, may their memory be for a blessing). "We will (actually) dance again."
So in the middle of the class, Akiva (my friend's 7 yr old son) gets up and exclaims, "Nili, I have a song to sing!" In the footsteps of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, I always welcome children's energy in my classes, so he was invited right up. And in front of about 100 people he starts to sing (out of nowhere), "in the morning, through the sun, ooh ooh ooh oohhhhh...." then he starts dancing and the crowd went nuts with joy (a piece of the original clip is at the end of the lyric video). AND there were also a handful of musician-friends with their instruments in the room who quickly joined Akiva in his jam, and eventually the whole room became a vortex of presence and joyful unity.
His confidence was uplifting and awe-inspiring and the community talked about it for weeks. But what was even MORE mind-blowing was the context in which it happened. I shared with you already that it was a class about the Messianic Era of world peace... but what I didn't tell you yet was that I was about to teach the details of when and how the Messiah arrives according to Jewish tradition. While we don't have a tradition of an exact date, we do know two things...
...We know from the Biblical battle of Jacob and 'the Dark Angel' who wrestled all 'night' long, that Salvation comes in the 'morning.' (The Hebrew is that they wrestled 'Ad Alot HaShachar.') Night represents the struggle of our human history, and morning represents the dawning of a New Era of peace. We also know according to the commentaries from Rashi, from the Tanach, and from the Kabbalah, that we will be healed through the metaphorical powers of the sun. IN OTHER WORDS it was like Akiva had dropped an accurate description on us for when and how the Messiah will come without even realizing it. And when his mom asked him where that came from, he just shrugged. I was just wowed.
My soul-brotha Daniel Kosmal was one of the musicians that night, and he said we must record this, and referred me to his dear friend and producer, Gidon Shikler. Turns out Gidon is one of the coolest reggae producers around... and there you have it, the birth of "Akiva's Song." Akiva not only inspired us through prophecy, but through his own confident shining behavior. May it be a blessing for us to shine our own light under the Great Day is finally revealed, and we can all dance together again. AMEN.
Please bump it, sing it, spread it, pray it... it comes to you with so much love... from so many of us... including with great love from and thanks to God and these incredible humans.....
Credits to:
-Akiva Zev: Chorus lyrics & melody, backing vocal melodies
-Nili Salem: Lyrics & Vocals
-Gidon Shikler & Home Bass Studios: Production, Vocals, Reggae Chorus Lyrics & Vocals, Wind Instruments, Bass, Guitar, Percussion, Drums and Keys ---Jason Gamer: Trumpets
-Daniel Kosmal: Melody & Motivation
Chorus Vocals:
-Leila Balter
-Hannah Balter
-Seraphina Balter
-Shira Geula Cohn
-Eli Esakan
-Mikey Pauker
-Gidon Shikler
-Yechiel Cohen
Live Event Inspiration musicians:
-Daniel Kosmal (Djembe)
-Natan Winkler (Ukulele & Guitar)
-Jason Gamer (Trumpets)
-Rachmiel Klein (Bass)
-Chloe Pourmorady (Harmony)
-Barbara Heller (Harmony)
-Meital Azulay (Harmony and Support)
-Shannon Gordon (Support)
-Daryn Edelman (Support)
-Husnain, my new Pakistani friend who created the lyric video with so much love and respect!
Shout out to Akiva's mom: Shoshana!
With thanks to the hosts of the original event:
-Ruchie & Steve Fried and the Happy Minyan Community
MASHIACH NOW!