Shaka & Sauda

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Shaka & Sauda

Interview conducted on June 14, 2020

By Dan Locke

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 lastest 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 Gounds, Afram, Knights of Columbus, Reisterstown Road Plaza, & The VFW Post.

What is your upbringing?

Kashaka Olukayode: We grew up in Maryland, my wife & I, meet in Somerset Project, and started doing music

How did you discover music?

We have been writing music since we started singing

Have you tried you hand to write any music?

We play cover songs with a live band, for our recording career

How the band did get its name?

we use our name Shaka & Sauda

Tell me about your first talent show you won?

It was at a church, my wife Sauda sing The Way We Were, we won some cash

You have shared the stage with the like of Peabo Byson and The Four Tops. Can you tell me some stories about you time with these artists?

The first time it was with our group The Kendells, Smokey Robinson was the head liner, we were special quest for winning the Budweiser Showdown in Baltimore Maryland The second time was when Sauda won the Randy Dennis Best Fest, which included Toni Braxton, she sing Over the rainbow, she got a standing ovation, yes she said she rub the tree, yes the girl before her was taken off by the sandman, That was great it was the first time we seen a motor home, & to see how the band set-up was it was special

Tell me about your new recording?