Planet Thirty

Dorinda Medley an entrepreneur and cast member of the Real Housewives of New York once said “Money shouts, wealth whispers.” Chad Kent whispers. He speaks softly and never too much. His work however, shouts at the highest possible measures of amplification.

Growing up on Anguilla, Chad had dreams... big dreams. While walking home from school one day, he asked his friend “Do you ever feel like we were put here on earth for a bigger purpose than we think?” His friend said yes and advised that whatever he wanted to accomplish he had to speak it into existence. That conversation put things into perspective for Chad and unearthed an even stronger desire within him to succeed.

Chad wanted to be a successful music producer. His mother noticed that he had a flair for the artform at an early age and encouraged him to pursue his dream. His mother’s support was a huge plus but Chad was also in luck. His teenage years saw the advent and subsequent popularity of internet chat rooms. While others were joining chat rooms to meet strangers from other countries or even find dates, Chad’s focus was the total opposite. Even as a teen he was wise enough to use these platforms to meet older and more successful music producers from around the world. Imagine their surprise when they found out that these incredible beats were being sent to them by a teenager on a tiny island in the Caribbean.

Chad would eventually use some of the relationships formed with his friends from the internet and parlay that into a contract with one of Hip-Hop’s top managers, Julian Boothe.

After years producing sounds for some of hip-hop’s biggest names as well as TV shows and commercials, he returned to his native Anguilla to continue his adventure.

Today, he produces Reggae and Soca upon occasion, however Chad has found a new obsession. Filmmaking. As uncanny as it may seem, Chad is as excellent a cinematographer and editor as he is a music producer. With several music videos under his belt, Chad has become the talk of the town having worked behind the camera for some of Soca’s top tier artists.

But Chad is never comfortable. He has his sights set on doing even more...

This is the story... So far... Of Chad Kent!

This Episode is dedicated to my dear friend Alex Horsford whom the world lost tragically in 2016. We’ll always love you and we’ll never forget you bro. #AlexForever.

In 2009 I picked up a gig as a morning DJ at a radio station on the Caribbean island of Anguilla. My daily sidekick was Alex Horsford. Alex was a little over 10 years younger than I was. However he had an interest in photography, film.. really all things media. He was also the younger brother of one of my best friends. Alex had just finished high school and was awaiting answers from job applications. He decided to join me on air every morning. We had tons of fun and really added something new to the airwaves on the island.

On an island whose radio stations played primarily soca, calypso and reggae, we decided to cater to the persons who wanted something different in their mornings. We played soft rock, pop, zouk, groovy soca, commercial dancehall, 80s and pop music. Generally, I would pick the playlists. One day Alex told me that there was a song that he wanted me to play on air. This was a rare request from him. He said that a friend of his in the UK had introduced him to the song. We didn’t have the record, so I looked it up on youtube, ran the computer’s audio through the system and played it on air. The song was “Never forget you” by a group called the Noisettes.

I had never heard of the Noisettes. However, from the moment I discovered them, I indeed would never forget them. I was smitten. From that day we played that song over and over on air.

With Alex’s passing, the song came to mean even more to me. Over the years, I continued to follow the band’s lead singer, Shingai Shinowa, and her work. It was always a dream to interview her. I added her to my wish list for this podcast. I had no connections to her within my network. The likelihood of an interview was near zero. One night I took the chance. Why not I said to myself.... And so I began... Hello Shingai. I trust that this message greets you well...

To my surprise she responded directing me to the appropriate email address and even added that she was looking forward to my invitation for the interview. Needless to say, I was ecstatic!

Shingai Shinowa has a voice that you indeed can never forget. She was born and raised in London. Her parents are from Zimbabwe. She carries her family’s roots, culture and legacy boldly, proudly and most importantly unapologetically.

No matter what she has accomplished, she remains down to earth and as centered as ever. With undeniable talent, striking beauty and an incredible work ethic Shingai continues to win. She recently released her debut album, “Too Bold”. A wonderful collection of sounds that in my estimation encompass the many parts that make up Shingai and her extraordinary journey through life. I had the pleasure of speaking with her

This is the story... Thus far... Of Shingai Shoniwa.

Many times in the world of film and television, people are encouraged to pick a role. Producer, Director, writer? Which one are you? Sometimes however, someone like Twilla Amin arises. Twilla has experience working as all of the aforementioned and more.

Born in North Carolina to an African American Mother and a Cameroonian father, Twilla fell in love early with art and media. By childhood she was auditioning for national commercials as an actor and performing. As she grew, so did her love for show business. Twilla entered the famed Univerity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and excelled. If ever she was weary about what she wanted to do in life, this was confirmation. She completed UNC and continued her journey into film in Howard University’s MFA program.

Ready and prepared to take on the world, Twilla moved to Los Angeles. Years on Twilla has touched virtually every facet of show business and has worked for major networks, production companies and music artists. She has even won some awards along the way. She is capable of birthing a concept and shepherding it to completion. Her ability to do this lead to her team up with her colleague Dion Lack to start Lacktoast Entertainment, an innovative multimedia production company that develops web content, short films, comedy sketches, and promo videos.

Twilla has accomplished much, however the world has not seen her best work as yet! She is filled with ideas and concepts that once released are sure to shift the world. Remember her name. She is a growing force in the world of entertainment. Get used to hearing the phrase “And the award goes to Twilla Amin” because Twilla... Is not done yet. This is the story... thus far... Of Twilla Amin.

The Honorable Haydn Hughes is the son of a politician. The Honorable Haydn Hughes became a politician. He admits that this was not always in the cards for him. His high school days were spent hanging out and admittedly skipping some classes. His behavior, however, did not reflect his intellect. While the lessons in the classroom may not have intrigued him, he was inspired by books and authors outside of the school's curriculum. Mr. Hughes tells the tale of him going to the local Public Library on the tiny island of Anguilla and reading everything and anything that the library had to offer. He became a voracious reader, seeking knowledge whenever he could and the from wherever he could. His thirst for understanding the world would lead him to other bookshelves including his father's where he would read books by world leaders and politicians. Even after reading these books, he never fancied himself a future politician.

Mr. Hughes worked several jobs as a young man and understood the value of money from a young age. According to him he did not purchase his first car until he was almost 30 years old. What he did accomplish before the age of 30 was building a house and the successful business. Mr. Hughes’ journey through life would take him from being a physical education teacher to a bank worker and eventually into the hospitality industry. He journeyed to France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. These experiences showed him another side of the world. A side that he had read about as he fingered through the pages of those library books so many years before. Some of Mr. Hughes' experiences prompted him to become more politically active. Upon return to his native Anguilla, Mr. Hughes joined politically active groups and even hosted a radio show. With determination he would run for election. Mr. Hughes would fail to win a seat for 15 years, but he was not deterred. In 2020 Mr. Hughes won his seat and was elected into the government of Anguilla. Though he had served in his father's administration before in another capacity, Mr. Hughes’ love for Anguilla and his and enthusiasm to see the country succeed motivated him to push until he could win, so that he could contribute in a major way.

In his capacity as the minister of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities, Housing and Tourism, Mr. Hughes is determined to push his island forward. The island that taught him so many lessons and exposed him to so much at an early age. Some call his approach experimental. Mr. Hughes however says that he has a clear vision as to where Anguilla should go and along with his fellow ministers, he is determined to take the country there.

Whether or not you agree with his philosophies, opinions or approach, the journey that got Mr. Hughes to his conclusions is a fascinating one.

In his own words... this is the story.... thus far, of the Honorable Haydn Hughes.

In the late 70s and early 80s Calypso music began to evolve. The genre, known for its wit, social commentary and coverage of serious issues set to slow tempos and delicate melodies started to adopt faster bpm rates and slightly more risqué content in its lyrics.

Lead by Trinidad and Tobago artist Ras Shorty I, this new fusion of sounds; a manipulation and interpretation of percussion, electronic instruments and fresh melodies gave birth to Soca music. Soca music was rhythmic yet sensual, energetic, yet had the ability to touch the soul just as any genre created by Caribbean people had done in the past. Soca’s popularity swept the Caribbean region and everywhere that the diaspora was represented.

The genre created several male super stars; however, few women were able to penetrate the male dominated Soca industry. That is until the mid 90s. A popular hotel and club band from Barbados named Square One decided to produce their own material. Their lead singer? A fresh faced 20 something year old named Alison Hinds. Her vocals were powerful, her stage presence commanding and her moves unforgettable. Her entree changed the face of the entire genre. Suddenly every band in the Caribbean required a female lead. Female solo artists from every island in the archipelago appeared in recording studios ready to tell their stories through Soca music. Alison Hinds did not merely push the door open, the removed its hinges and threw it away.

With a catalogue of hits spanning 3 decades and tours around the globe spreading the message of Soca, Alison Hinds has been appropriately dubbed the Queen of Soca. I had the honor of conversing with her about her storied career in music and her plans to expand the Alison Hinds empire through fashion among other things.

This is the story... thus far... Of Alison Hinds... The Queen of Soca!