PROFILE: DJ Kevy Kev

I started at the tender age of 13 in my homeland St Kitts, hanging out with a crew called the Bomb Squad. We were a group of high school friends who would crash parties and be at clubs we had no business being in, at our age. I would make mix tapes for my friends at school for fun etc; then I hooked up with the top DJ there, Ronnie Rascal.

It’s funny because he didn’t actually show me how to deejay, but by allowing me to go on gigs with him, and spending countless hours in his studio, I absorbed everything around me. Of course I had to tote the record crates and move speakers etc lol. I would play the “early warm" segment of the night at his gigs and at a club called The Lighthouse, when the crowd was not in full force yet, but you best believe I played as if I was entertaining thousands of people. Eventually, I started to get the attention I sought after and the rest is history.

My biggest accomplishment was also my biggest failure if that makes any sense. After leaving the military in ’93, I opened up a night club which took my music career to a whole different level. The thing is, my love for deejaying had to be put on the back burner to take on the role of club owner/operator. I tried it for 2 years but I was not happy; I really missed rocking the crowds on the turntables, so I closed the club down to get back to what I was passionate about most; however, the connections I made throughout the music industry while running the club, gave me the exposure to take my talents from the local scene, to a regional entity, then eventually nationally. I am proud to say I am now on an International level, having played in different Islands in the Caribbean, the US and recently in Canada. I am working on the UK now; I must get there.

I specialize in Caribbean music, but love all music period!

I was raised on old Calypso, Reggae, Jazz, R&B and even Country music had an influence on me. I remember my Dad playing old Chalk Dust Albums, Kitchener, Sparrow, Bob Marley etc you know the classics. My Mom exposed me to the sounds of George Benson, Al Jareau, Earl Klugh, the whole Motown scene; then my Uncle Bruce Skerritt had a major influence on me as a jazz musician. He taught me how to dream music as if it was something you could touch and feel. He trained me how to hear parts of a song the average ear isn’t listening for. The first album he schooled me on was Chuck Mangione's Feel So Good.

That being said, my passion for Caribbean music while being influenced by so many different genres of music allows me to have a unique style of presenting my music to the world.

I never plan what I am going to play before I play it, especially if I am coming on after another DJ because I have a pet peeve of not wanting to play what the previous entertainer just played.

At the end of the day we as deejays were hired to entertain the people, it’s all about them, so I try to mix it up, you know, be versatile and keep them engaged as opposed to playing something they just finished listening to.

My style of playing is like telling a story, so based on what time of the night I am playing, or who I may be playing before or after, and moreover the type of crowd I am playing for will determine my plan of attack. I play my role and keep the crowd engaged through my voice and my music. It’s not about just one song to get them started, it’s a feeling, it’s an emotion, it’s a passion. You feel me?

Fridays: I am the co-host along with MR CC of Jamaikin me Crazy at Lux Ultra Lounge, The #1 Island Party in Central Florida.

Saturdays: I play at Tavern On The Lake, for a promotion called “LIFE”; A real nice upscale atmosphere where I play Reggae, Soca, R&B plus Old School.

Taking time to travel in order to maintain recognition on an international level and grow my business is important. I have been most fortunate to be given the opportunity to Emcee, DJ and host concerts, stage shows & club events plus go on tours throughout Florida with MR CC Productions and in Atlanta, GA with Krushmore Entertainment. This has afforded me the opportunity to rub elbows and network with the who’s who in the Reggae, Soca & Hip-Hop industries too numerous to mention. Promoting events in St Thomas, USVI under my own company Soul Sound Entertainment, partnering with "Jumbies" has been a real blessing; being able to work while taking the time to spend quality time with family. I am also called upon to play in St Kitts, Toronto and Miami just to name a few hot spots.

Radio Shows:

  • Wednesdays: “The Kevy Kev Mixshow” Live on Da Flava Radio (www.DaFlavaRadio.com) 9pm-12am. Broadcasting LIVE on Freedom Radio 106.5 FM in St Kitts (www.FreedomSKN.com) from 10pm - 1am & Vibes FM 106.1 in Gambia, Africa (www.VibesFM.gm)
  • Saturdays: I am back on Flava Radio for “SUPA SOCA SATURDAYS” 1-3pm

My radio presence focuses on promoting our Caribbean culture to the fullest by not only playing popular music but also highlighting up and coming artists through interviews and keeping the listeners involved through the online chat room and call ins to the studio.

If asked to describe my talent and/or individuality in one word = PASSIONATE!

My ability to understand that this thing called Show Business is bigger than me. Again, it’s about your audience. As long as you have them as your priority you can’t go wrong. Keeping them engaged is what I enjoy.

Come to an event I am playing at/promoting and experience it for yourself.