Wirral rapper, record label owner and community interest company (CIC) founder Rakeem Lewis has reached a major milestone in his career, after one of his tracks, Tell Ya X was selected for a film with Disney. He is now looking to inspire young people through his CIC, I AM ME, and show them that success can be achieved despite adversity.
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Growing up on the Wirral in the 1990s, Keem experienced life as one of the only Black children in his community. “There was only a handful of Black people in my secondary school,” he recalls. That sense of being different was reinforced by repeated encounters with the police — resulting in initial misguided anger for the youth.
Both he and his brother were targeted at times, with Keem remembering one night in particular when he was stopped four times by the same officer. “I had to make complaints,” he says. “I did everything I could to stay out of crime and focus on music but it’s so easy to become angry and even a product of discrimination.”
While he is candid about not being perfect, Keem is equally clear about rejecting stereotypes. “I’m far from some notorious gangster,” he says. “I’ve always come back to a legitimate path and wanted to serve others, helping them reach their full potential and operate in their purpose.”
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Adopted as a child, Keem speaks openly about the emotional complexities that came with it. Though grateful for the family that raised him, he describes feeling marginalised at times and searching for answers about his identity — an internal struggle that created friction during his young adult life. At one point, he became isolated and disconnected from family altogether.
Those challenges intensified when Keem found himself sofa surfing and eventually living in a hostel. Yet even in hardship, he remained focused. Through faith and consistent effort, he secured his own apartment at Daniel House on Stanley Road in Bootle. “It felt like a big step up,” he laughs. “There was a bar on the roof and a gym — I felt a bit boujie.”
That apartment became a creative turning point. Some of Keem’s most powerful music was written there, drawn directly from his lived experiences. Tracks such as Tell Ya X — later featured in the Disney Plus short film Ryan Can’t Read — were born out of struggle, resilience and reflection. During this period, artists including Anthony Russell would visit, with Keem contributing songs to Russell’s singles Face These Times Alone and Walls, as well as the Street Songs album.
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After this chapter, Keem returned to the Wirral and, supported by his partner Becky, committed to healing and therapy. This period of personal growth laid the foundation for the launch of his studio and label, 20 Winston Records. From there, his career snowballed and he received coverage from The Liverpool Echo and BBC Radio Merseyside for his work helping artists and as an artist in his own right.
His work in promotions, management and residencies saw him work with respected names in UK rap such as Mazza L20, B Real.11, Jordan McCann, Kkoke and Scouse Tremz. Through his residency at TRND with Pez Tellett and Peter Wilson’s company, Keem has also collaborated with influencers and creatives including Kairo Keyz, the Ibiza Final Boss, Love Island’s Connor Philips and TikTok sensation Nicole Mura.
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Tell Ya X stands as one of Keem’s most personal songs, addressing work ethic, temptation, substance use, relationships and the constant tension between legitimate living and risky choices. Written after a particularly dark period, the track’s inclusion in Ryan Can’t Read is especially meaningful. “The film really reflects overcoming hard times,” Keem explains. “It shows characters making changes to better themselves.”
The film also features a powerful hometown connection. Lead actor Lewis Bray grew up alongside Rakeem in Moreton, both attending Wallasey School and staying connected through their shared passion for the arts. “From our bedroom windows, we could see each other’s gardens,” Keem says. “Seeing both of us succeed — my music and Lewy’s acting — is massive for our hometown.”
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Keem’s latest release, Real Life, continues this narrative, chronicling his journey across Merseyside, the Wirral and Liverpool. The song captures struggle, perseverance and the belief that hard work truly pays off — lessons Lewis now channels into his community work.
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Together with Becky and co-founder Miguel Doforo, Keem has launched the CIC I AM ME, an organisation focused on identity, purpose and empowerment. The initiative equips young people and adults with life skills and industry knowledge, particularly within entertainment, while providing platforms for others to succeed.
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At the heart of Keem’s message is consistency. “You have to move with belief and purpose,” he says. “The only ones who don’t succeed are those who quit.” He is passionate about showing people that success in creative industries isn’t limited to one narrow path. Skills learned in everyday jobs — from sales roles to DJing and live guitar gigs — can translate directly into music, events and business. “Giving 100% to a job you don’t really want teaches you how to give 100% to your own business,” he explains.
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From the Wirral to Disney, Rakeem Lewis’s story is not just about music — it is about identity, resilience and using lived experience to uplift others. It is proof that with purpose, persistence and faith, even the hardest chapters can become the foundation for success.
