Episode 25: Chad Kent

Explicit content warning

08/25/20 • 59 min

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!

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.

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

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

Previous Episode

Episode 24: Young Devyn

My last encounter with Young Devyn was when I ventured into Manhattan to see her perform at an all-women’s hip-hop event. There is nothing quite like a crisp fall evening in New York City. Every time you enter the city’s chambers, it speaks to you. What it says depends upon its mood. New York City needs no introduction and brings with it a slew of preconceived notions. Its own modern day anthem boasts that “These streets will make you feel brand new” and “its big lights will inspire you.” On that evening I hop into one of the city’s famed yellow cabs to see the city’s latest wordsmith do what she does best.

Young Devyn is not yet a household name, however many in hip-hop think that that may change in the not so distant future. Devyn was born in Brooklyn New York to Trinidadian parents. She is the latest product contributing to a long lineage of prolific wordsmiths from the Tri-State area born into the West Indian-American culture. Any perceived similarities with other MCs end there.

At the age of 8, Devyn performed at her first paid gig. Interestingly enough, as a Soca artist. This in itself is not uncommon for children interested in performing. What is uncommon is that the show took place at a nightclub and she performed at 2 AM. She was smitten! The rush of adrenaline that she felt that night excited her and she knew that the stage was where she belonged. Subsequent performances with Machel Montano in Trinidad, Six Flags Theme Park in New Jersey and tours all prepared her for a life in the entertainment industry. Until her teen years Devyn was known as the young Soca sensation that was well loved by fans of the genre.
And then Devyn shocked the world. She started to release hip-hop free styles and songs. No one knew she could rap... And very well might I add. Devyn would in short order become one of the internet’s favorite MCs. The industry took notice too. Young Devyn’s words and delivery allowed her to perform on MTV, then Sway in the Morning, then for the Cypher at the BET Awards, then The Essence Festival... Then... You get the point.

Having not even departed her teen years, Young Devyn ushers in a new generation of Caribbean swagger to the hip-hop scene. With a new single and a new project in the works, Young Devyn has only just begun.

This is the story.... Thus far... Of Young Devyn.

Next Episode

Episode 26: Chev and Simba

Simba and Chev, Chev and Simba. No matter the order of their names, their power remains the same.

Simba was born and raised on Anguilla. Chev Jamaica. The two met at Toronto’s famed York University and became fast friends. Their personalities melded and they eventually started dating.

Chev and Simba’s energies and personalities propelled them to become much more than a romantic couple. With the power of YouTube and other social media platforms in their grasp, Chev and Simba are well on their way to establishing a multi-media empire. With their charisma and natural talent, they manage to keep their almost 400 thousand subscribers entertained and satisfied across two channels.

While continuing to build their following, Chev and Simba are now expanding their brand into products. Simba’s marketing degree coupled with Chev’s sense of style and knowledge of hair care is a match made in cyberspace. Their business savvy is noteworthy. Their courage is admirable. They have taken on traditional thoughts of what a career looks like and emerged victorious. They have embraced modern technology and media and they are molding it to their liking. Chev admits that while she has a passion for all things media, she’s still thinking about building on her political science degree with a law degree. Simba has begun exploring his acting chops and promises that we will either see or hear him in productions outside of YouTube in the near future.

Chev and Simba are not a stereotypical YouTube couple simply seeking outside validation or involving themselves in senseless antics. They are a focused, planned and visionary young couple who are destined for huge success. From their travel blogs to their “rate my outfit” segments on their joint channel to Chev’s hair and beauty advice on her channel, they keep their audiences in tuned and informed.

Their love for culture, entertaining and learning are sure to guide them to the stars.

This is story... thus far... Of Chev and Simba!