Planet Thirty

Episode 81: Pumpa

Young Dennis Liburd was an exceptional athlete. In an alternate reality, this interview could have been with super star basketball player Dennis Liburd. Liburd may have followed in the footsteps of fellow St. Croix native Tim Duncan and entered the NBA. Conversely, we could have been chatting with Dennis Liburd the professional soccer player and his preparation for the next world cup. Either of these could have been the purpose of this interview.

Instead, we have the privilege of interviewing the real evolution of Dennis Liburd, a charismatic, extremely talented and energetic giant of an artist that the world of soca known as PUMPA.

Hailing from one of the smallest islands in the Caribbean, Pumpa and his smash hit The A list have knocked down the doors of the wider Soca industry. Not since the 1990s has an entity from the northern Caribbean’s cluster of small islands enjoyed such success. After studying the game, experimenting, fighting battles, learning, executing and most importantly working, Pumpa is arguably the most popular artist to come from that region in decades. But he continues to push and excel. Collaborations with Nailah Blackman and now Machel Montano himself prove that Pumpa has no intention of being stagnant.

With a slew of new hits and visuals planned, the world will have no other choice but to prepare for its introduction to Pumpa. His success was by no means handed to him. The road that lead to this point has been quite the interesting one. But don’t let me tell it. Listen to the intriguing story of Dennis “PUMPA” Liburd, in his own words.

This is the story… thus far… of PUMPA!

Episode 80: Nessa Preppy

Nessa Preppy burst on to the music scene in Trinidad and Tobago a little over a decade ago. The Arima native with a multicultural background including German and First Peoples is the embodiment of what Trinidad represents. A potpourri of features and cultures all masterfully blended to create something… or in this case someone unique.

 A lover of all genres, her Soca songs were delivered to audiences with a sound that was distinctively Nessa. Her cadence, melodies and choice of beats and riddims were not common for that era. Nessa wove elements of hip-hop and dancehall throughout her compositions and presented them with a bevy of colorful and energetic music videos. Not everyone got her in the beginning, however, Nessa was never deterred.

She knew and understood who she was from the start. By extension, she also understood her brand, how powerful it was and how powerful it could become. Betting on herself and her brand would pay off.  In the last six years Nessa has found solid footing in the soca industry as an A list act with a string of hits including Tingo, Splash with Patrice Roberts and the anthemic and ubiquitous SNACK!

Nessa is unapologetically Nessa, and that is why her fanbase continues to grow rapidly. I an industry that is sometimes inundated with singers sewn together by age old formulas, Nessa’s star shines brightly. Her authenticity, coupled with her approach to music and artistry will no doubt propel her into markets untouched, up to this point, by soca artists.

 With the debut of her second album “Little Miss Arima” Nessa is set to not only rack up another thread of hits but in our estimation, this could be the project that makes the wider world turn its head in the direction of Nessa Preppy.

Believe us, the era of Nessa Preppy has just begun…

This is the story... thus far... of Nessa Preppy.

Episode 79: Marva Carty

Marva Carty is a renaissance woman. Life has taken her to many countries, introduced her to many hobbies and has offered her experiences beyond her wildest dreams.  

Marva was born in London England but at an early age she was whisked away and taken to her mother’s homeland, Trinidad. It is here that Marva would adopt the wonderful habit of reading. She confesses, she read any and everything. She especially remembers learning random trivia from the set of World Book Encyclopedias that her family owned. That random knowledge would benefit her in some surprising ways later on in life.

Marva’s odyssey has seen her work in varied industries. From the admissions office at an American University to hospitality to toys. The latter perhaps, is what led her to her current line of projects. The super intelligent little girl with a fierce appetite for knowledge is now an author. Mari Loves Mangoes is the title of her first book. Complete with vibrant illustrations and a great story, Marva hopes to inspire children from diverse backgrounds to embrace who they are, love one another and pay attention to life’s lessons. This is just the first step in a series of books that she plans to expand upon. And in the future?  Well... Marva plans to own a multi-media conglomerate. When you hear her journey, you will understand why this dream of hers is 100% attainable. Smart, ambitious, persistent and hard working.

This is the story… thus far… Of Marva Carty.

Episode 78: Darius James

Darius James says that he has always been a BIG THINKER. When you hear his story, you may agree that even the word BIG is too small to describe the way Darius thinks. Born in Dominica, Darius says that he has always felt that his purpose in the world was to execute big projects with the intention of helping others.

Darius’ father introduced him and his siblings to music. His father lived abroad for a time and on one of his trips back to Dominica he brought several instruments to the household. Darius says that he was immediately drawn to the drums. Little did he know, but the pulsing rhythms of that first drum set would guide and dictate the rhythm of his life for years to come.

After some years of operating several businesses in his homeland, Darius accepted a job in the cruise industry. After three years of sailing the seas and exploring multiple countries, Darius decided that it was time to move on and settle down.

A chance invitation to Anguilla landed him in the middle of the Tranquility Jazz Festival. Within days, the universe would align, and Darius would meet several players in Anguilla’s music industry. Anguilla, he decided would now be his home. After settling in, developing a business, falling in love and perfecting his craft, Darius realized that there was a need to train young minds on the island and beyond. Enter the Anguilla Music Academy. Darius’ brainchild that has pinned on its wings and has now taken flight. With the help of the community and investors, Darius dreams of helping the world are coming to fruition. However, the story is much deeper. And believe us, Darius James story does not end here.

This is the story… thus far… of Darius James.

Episode 77: Hon. Haydn Hughes

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.

Episode 76: Kevin Lyttle

If you didn’t know that it was reality you would be convinced that it was a fairytale. Young man from a tiny Caribbean Island with a love for music records song for his island’s carnival festivities and the song shoots to #1 in the world. It could have been a fairytale. But it actually happened.

Kevin Lyttle grew up on the island of St. Vincent. His love of the arts lead him to join his uncle’s dance group in his younger days. His love for the arts grew and he began to experiment with music. Although the airwaves were pumping soca and reggae predominantly, Kevin developed a love for R&B music. His understanding of that genre and its structure would lead him to fuse melodies, rhythms and harmonies in his head that were unconventional yet appealing.

With little opportunity on the island for a fulltime career as an artist, Kevin sought employment with the local government. He was a hard worker, but swiftly realized that he was not prepared to give up on his dreams of becoming an internationally known artist. With what was at the time the equivalent of one month’s salary, Kevin risked it all and wrote, co-produced and recorded what he knew in his heart would at least be a local hit. What transpired upon the song’s release would be beyond Kevin’s wildest dreams. His song, ‘Turn me on’ became a worldwide anthem for party goers and lovers of dance everywhere.

Kevin Lyttle has had and continues to have an incredible career. He has performed on every inhabited continent on planet earth. He journeyed from an island with a population of just over one hundred thousand to perform and be loved by millions of fans from every country. Kevin Lyttle’s career and life philosophies are a master class for any artist or musician seeking success. But for as much as he has accomplished, Kevin Lyttle is not yet done. This renaissance man has added yet another business to his growing empire as an entrepreneur.

This is the story… Thus far… Of Global Super Star Kevin Lyttle…

Episode 75: Dr. Tremane Bartley

Dr. Tremane Bartley is the eldest of three siblings. Him, his brother and his sister were raised by parents who were entrepreneurs. His younger siblings took notice of his hard work as he paved the way for them by setting a good example.

In his last year of high school, a chance meeting one morning would lead him into a full scholarship at Benedict College, a prestigious HBCU in South Carolina. His stellar performance at the undergraduate level ushered him into dental school at the University of Connecticut.

His fascination with science and inspiration from his parents lead him to not only cultivate a love for business, but a love for helping people. Dr. Bartley is a long way from Jamaica, but the lessons and values he learned on the island have stayed with him.

Today he is a dedicated father and husband and owns a thriving Orthodontic Practice. He works from three locations in the state of Connecticut. The young man who dreamed of being an entrepreneur took a leap of faith and is building an incredible legacy.

Oh yea… and his siblings? They too are both Dr. Bartley! They followed the lead of their big brother. Both of them are now dentists. Interestingly, Dr. Bartley works with his brother and although their sister lives in another state, the three are each other’s biggest cheer leaders.

A leader, entrepreneur, excellent orthodontist and more. Dr. Tremane Bartley is the definition of discipline, sacrifice and hard work. With plans to expand his business even more, there’s no telling what giant move he’ll make next.

This is the story… thus far… Of Dr. Tremane Bartley.

Episode 74: India ’Alanis’ Browne

If you are a friend or a member of her family, then her name is India. If you are a fan of competitive gaming and in particular Rocket League, then her name is Alanis!

At just 16 years old, India Browne is already making history. In 2022 she became the youngest female from the UK to win a gold medal in E Sports at the Commonwealth Games.

She may be just a teen; however she is as focused as an experienced CEO. India speaks with determination and an authority that many adults are still chasing.

India assembled her own computer specifically to play video games and compete in Esports tournaments. In our interview she explains how she went from having casual curiosity about Rocket League to being on stage viewed by millions of fans from the gaming world.

Though she has tremendous passion for gaming. India is well rounded. She is now in college (Form 6) in the UK and is trying to decide where her interest lies more. Is it in business, hospitality or law? Whichever one she decides upon she is bound to be successful.

Whether it is in the arena of academics or Esports, India or Alanis is far from finished. The question is. How will she make history next?

This is the story… thus far… of India ‘Alanis’ Browne

 

Episode 73: Daryl C. Thompson

Daryl C Thompson has solidified a sound reputation as an artist in the Northeastern Caribbean. However, he is a sage of sorts. Not only does Daryl run his family’s business successfully, but he has used his experience and education to assist young entrepreneurs to start their ventures the right way. Do you need to rebrand? Ask Daryl. Would you like a beautiful painting? Ask Daryl. Need new logo? You guessed it. Ask Daryl.  Daryl is a source for all things creative.

The artist, entrepreneur and startup guru was raised in the Caribbean between three islands. Though the status quo and culture would encourage traditional career paths, Daryl took the road less traveled. Not only studying art at University but returning to the Caribbean to pursue an entire career steeped in everything colorful and textured. Daryl’s love for painting and curiosity eventually lead him to graphic design. He admits that this sector seemed more promising financially. And of course, that never hurts. He has taken the sum of all he has learned and has quietly changed the way new businesses brand and represent themselves on Anguilla, his island home.

After years of directing others, Daryl the branding expert has entered new waters. He has decided to rebrand himself. Daryl has become a model. Brands are now seeking him out to represent their products. Though he has adjusted well to his new role, he is still tickled by the fact that he is now being directed as opposed to being the director.

Entrepreneur, painter, model and father. Daryl C Thompson has had a fascinating life thus far. But he is nowhere done with exploring what else life has to offer.

This is the story…. Thus far… Of Daryl C. Thompson.

T’keyah Crystal Keymáh

Chicago is a special city. Two former first ladies, Robin Williams, Jennifer Hudson, Walt Disney, Bernie Mack and today’s guest T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh are all products of this spectacular city.

It is certainly a blessing to be gifted in one facet of the arts, however T’Keyah executes at an extremely high level in multiple areas. The director, actor, writer, producer and poet has struck gold on and off screen. Her initial plan in life saw her heading in the direction of finance. However, a few profound experiences in college lead her to the arts. It didn’t take long for her to be hooked. Although I am certain that she would have made a brilliant banker or trader, the world is grateful that she found her true calling and has in tern shared her talent, spirit and energy with us all.

The term ‘artist’ is used loosely by many. In the case of T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh, it is not a vague suggestion of what she does, it is the essence of who she is. From improv to live theatre, from network television to movies, T’Keyah has graced our screens for several decades. She is a true legend. Her playful voice over work on Pinky and the Brain made us smile, her iconic roles on In Living Color, Cosby and That’s so Raven are unforgettable, her Solo stage performances have provoked our thoughts. Oh yes… T’Keyah Crytsal Keymáh is the definition of the word … Artist!

For all that she has accomplished, she has remained humble and is an exemplary human being. It was a definite honor and pleasure being able to share time with her and allowing her to share her own narrative.

A narrative that continues through her excellence.

This is the story… Thus far… Of T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh