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Akeem Ali: The Jackson, Mississippi Rapper Who Built a Career on Fabric
From a viral Jackson alter ego to a fabric-themed tape series and a fall tour, here's the Mississippi MC's story.
Akeem Ali is a rapper and singer from Jackson, Mississippi, now based in Atlanta, best known for the viral 2020 alter ego Keemy Casanova and for his fabric-themed Texture Tape series. "Mesh," his June 2026 single, sits at No. 1 among his top songs on iHeartRadio, with an official video directed by Kevon Pryce.
Where Akeem Ali comes from
Ali grew up in Jackson and, by his own account to XXL, wrote his first rap at 11 before committing to music at 15. His first mixtape arrived in 2015, though he later pulled it from the internet. His path to the stage also ran through the military, a story he retold on The Morning Hustle this fall.
The breakthrough came with Keemy Casanova, a 1970s-styled mack persona he first posted on Instagram and Facebook in 2020. The clip spread fast, landing him a spot alongside Wild 'N Out comedians Karlous Miller and Chico Bean and turning a Southern lyricist into a viral character. He later joined Winners United, the independent label run by former NBA guard Lou Williams, who told REVOLT in 2022 that Ali would be the label's "North Star."
What "Mesh" is about
"Mesh" landed as a standalone single on June 1, 2026, released through Akeem Ali Music LLC and Winners United. It is a slow-burning love song about a tightly woven, committed relationship: two people promising loyalty, wanting each other badly and keeping the connection private. The title fits the Texture Tape concept, where songs are named after fabrics and materials.
The Kevon Pryce-directed video arrived in early August, and coverage of the visual places the song within The Texture Tape 3, the 11-track project released July 21, 2026. We broke down the visual in our earlier piece, Akeem Ali Releases Official Video for "Mesh".
His other releases
Ali's catalog runs deep for an independent artist. His debut project Rollin' came out in 2019, followed by D.E.A.D. (Do Em All Dirty) in 2021 and Roses Are Red But I'm Color Blind in 2023. In 2025 he launched the texture era with The Texture Tape, ten tracks titled after materials such as "Suede," "Cashmere" and "Egyptian Cotton," then followed with The Texture Tape 2 the same year.
The Texture Tape 3 leans into late-'80s and early-'90s R&B, with Ali naming Guy, Bobby Brown and New Edition as touchstones. Its emotional anchor is "Yarn," written in his car for his daughter. The 2026 run also includes the Hold Please EP and singles "Velvet," "Latex" and "Woman First." His projects have featured T.I., Big K.R.I.T. and Big Boi.
Where to follow Akeem Ali
His full catalog is on Apple Music and Spotify. He is on the road with The Texture Tour this fall, with dates booked across the Midwest, South and East Coast, including New York and an Atlanta stop at Center Stage on December 4.
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Quick answers
Where is Akeem Ali from? Jackson, Mississippi. He is now based in Atlanta.
When did "Mesh" come out? The single was released June 1, 2026, with the official video following in August.
Who is Keemy Casanova? Ali's 1970s-inspired alter ego, the viral 2020 character that first put him on the map.
Sources
International Music Magazine — "Akeem Ali (@Akeem___Ali) - 'Mesh' (Video)"
XXL — "The Break Presents: Akeem Ali"
Hot 100.9 — "Akeem Ali Is Betting On Himself With The Texture Tour"