Planet Thirty

Episode 36: Trudy Nixon

Trudy Nixon cooks a mean pot of curry. This however is not the extend of her talents. Trudy was raised on a farm in a little town in the English countryside. By the time she had graduated high school, Trudy had developed a love for the arts and especially for language and writing.

Her University years gave her the opportunity to explore several facets of the arts both inside and outside of the classroom. While she sharpened her writing skills during the day, she explored the sights and sounds of the city at night. It was during this time that Trudy discovered her absolute passion for live music. But she’ll tell you more about that in our conversation.

After some years working in England and exploring Europe, Trudy decided to take a trip to the Caribbean to visit friends. Her travels in the archipelago took her to St. Martin. While there, she discovered Anguilla. She decided to visit. She was smitten. There was something special about Anguilla and she fell in love with the island. Trudy went back to the UK with Anguilla on her mind. She made her way back to the island sometime later and has called Anguilla home ever since.

The little girl that grew up in the countryside in Britain, has become a staple and a very important fixture in her island’s community. Trudy plays an essential role in the promotion of the island’s tourism product through among other things her magazine True Anguilla and her PR company True Communications. And by the way, Trudy loves dancing and soca music. You can offer to dance with her, but be warned, she has become a true island girl and you may not be able to keep up. She is a writer, publisher, PR consultant, chef, soca lover, dancer and so much more.

This is the story… thus far… of Trudy Nixon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 35: Ron Elliot

As a child, Ron Elliot was a lover of comic books. He bought them, he sold them, he read them. He loved comic books. Comic books truly introduced Ron to the world of fantasy and stretched his imagination. While he was an elementary school student, Ron wrote, produced and directed his first play. His teacher was thoroughly impressed. This was the beginning of Ron Elliot the storyteller.

The seed was planted. Ron was in love with telling his own stories. The realm of possibility however, was taken to another level, once Ron experienced his first Star Wars film. That was it for him. He knew what his passion was.

As a young man, Ron opted to join the military. Even while in the Middle East, fighting for his country in Dessert Storm, Ron thought about a career in the entertainment industry once he returned to the United States. He kept that promise to himself. Upon his return, he tried his hand at music production. He observed his friend’s success in the industry and was determined to produce beats as good as or even better. He admits, it didn’t quite turn out the way he planned. Although he decided against being a music producer, Ron landed a job at storied record label Def Jam Recordings in the promotions dept. It is there that Ron sharpened his skills in marketing among other things.

Ron moved up the ranks and through Def Jam he was introduced to the world of music videos. Music videos were just mini movies. The sets, the costumes, the ideas, the scripts all resurrected that little boy who had dreams of writing. Ron used the opportunity to work and learn from the likes of legendary directors like Hype Williams and Benny Boom.

Life’s journey would take Ron to BET, MTV, Tempo, NBC and a bevy of other networks. He became one of the most sought-after post-production specialists in the industry, known for his accuracy and speed in editing.

But Ron was not done. He started to write, direct, and shoot his own films. He reached his childhood dream. Today, Ron stands on several awards and has no plans of slowing down. His films have been screened at major film festivals and are available on digital platforms.  

Ron Elliot that little boy with exceptional writing ability is now Ron Elliot the master storyteller. But wait until you hear what he has planned next.

This is the story… thus far… Of Ron Elliot.

Episode 34: Cherrod Lewis

Cherrod Lewis remembers listening to R&B for most of his childhood. His two older sisters were uber fans of the genre. Naturally their love for the genre and music in general had a huge impact on their little brother. Cherrod’s thoughts however ran a lot deeper than just knowing the hit songs. He wanted to know how they were created. He recalls spending hours trying to deconstruct the tones, drums, melodies and other sounds that he was hearing.

By his early teenage years, he was convinced. Music wasn’t just something that he loved; music was who he was. Cherrod joined with a few friends and formed The Supreme Band. They were an instant hit. Supreme would go on to produced 3 albums and become one of the new it bands among teens on the island.

One night outside of a local beach bar, Cherrod was approached by the artist Panther. Panther is one of Anguilla’s biggest Soca stars. Panther complimented him on the night’s performance but then shocked him by asking him to join his band. It was a no brainer, Cherrod had dreamed about such an opportunity since childhood. After studying every one of the songs on the bands’ latest album, he blew away the band’s members and the band’s management at his audition. Within days he would hit the stage with the infamous Panther Vibes International (PVI).

As one of two producers with PVI, Cherrod’s star continued to rise as he produced and assisted with creating hit after hit for the band. Life was good. Cherrod however did not want to be complacent. He decided to hoist his anchor and enroll in Full Sail University in Florida. Full Sail opened an entire new world to Cherrod. By the time he graduated he was one of the most sought-after young producer/ engineers in the Caribbean.

Today, he splits his time between studios in Miami, his native Anguilla and Trinidad. Do you need a smash hit? Get in line. Cherrod is usually booked solid. A testament to his penchant for producing hits and making them sound exquisite through his engineering. He has already produced for Soca’s A list, but Cherrod is not finished. He has his sights set on new markets and new artists. And if history is an indicator, he will accomplish those goals.

In the meantime. This is the story, thus far… of Cherrod Lewis.

 

 

Episode 33: Zahira Marmar

Sint Maarten, not to be confused with St. Martin is the Dutch half of the small Caribbean island shared by the Netherlands and France. Zahira Marmar was raised there. She was introduced to farming by her immediate family. She fell in love with it.

Typically, this story would continue to tell you how Zahira grew peas, pumpkins and corn. However, Zahira fell in love with herbs. Herbs for seasoning? Well yes… but more specifically, herbs for teas and herbs for healing. Zahira recognized the benefits of the herbs that grew naturally on her island. Her mother taught her how to make teas for different purposes and how to combine those herbs to create different flavors and to help the body.

Like many young people Zahira left her native St. Maarten to attend University. She returned home after college and decided to share her love for herbs through a unique business that she pioneered. Zahira and her team would create and maintain herb gardens for her clients. It was her way of sharing her love for farming and of course… herbs.

With love and marriage Zahira would move to the United States. Again, she figured a way to share her knowledge of herbs and teas with friends. She began to brew small amounts of teas for her immediate circle. Her teas were a hit. Then it hit her. Why not create a beverage?

Zahira, her husband and even her daughter got to work. Her idea became the family’s dream. After a few years of licenses, regulations and meetings, Hrbvor was born.

Zahira was elated and ready for a massive launch in early 2020. Alas, like many others her plans faced the storm which is Covid 19. However, this was not the first storm that Zahira faced in her lifetime. She faced it head on. She is focused and persistent, and Hrbvor made it to shelves all across the New York City area. And yes, she delivers them rain or sunshine. Zahira is an amazing personality with an amazing story and an amazing company!

This is the story… Thus far… Of Zahira Marmar.

Episode 32: Tahirah Banks

Like her father and brother before her, Tahirah Banks was destined for a career in music. At 13 she was the lead singer of one of her island’s rising soca bands. Wanting a change of scenery, Tahirah negotiated with her mother and decided to move to Houston Texas to live with her eldest brother.

Houston opened up a new world of possibility for her and although she was still in love with music, her experiences during both high school and college at the university of Houston expanded her dreams. In addition to the business of music, Tahirah explored the business of… well… Business.

Like many entrepreneurs she wasn’t always sure about what type of business she would start, however she knew one thing. She wanted to be her own boss. Her first venture, a music studio did not exactly work out. This, however, was a mere lesson, not the conclusion of her journey. Tahirah took the lessons learned from that experience and poured it into every other business that she has started since then.

With her entrepreneurial spirit guiding her, Tahirah graduated college and was ready to take on both the music business and her personal ventures. She was ready.

In the fall of 2013. Her world changed forever. Her best friend passed away after a car accident. A devastated Tahirah decided to end her music career and focus on building her empire on her native Anguilla. With the memory of her best friend fueling her, Tahirah has since  started several successful ventures, chief of which is the Thoughtful Agency. An agency that works across multiple platforms, providing marketing and technology solutions to businesses and organizations both in the Caribbean region and internationally.

Her journey has been quite interesting thus far. But it is far from over.

This is the story… thus far… of Tahirah Banks

Episode 31: Oneika Phillips

Oneika Phillips is a burst of energy. She has the type of personality that can light up an entire theatre. And she does… quite often. Oneika has been dancing from ever since she can remember. Born in Guyana and raised in Grenada, Oneika was exposed to musicals via her parents VHS collection. Jesus Christ Superstar was her favorite.

Oneika’s colorful personality and obvious talent and love for dance eventually lead her to attend University in Virginia. She admits that those years were not always the most joyous, however what they did was allow her to look within and discover things about herself that would prove useful both in life and career. Having lived in the Caribbean and East Africa, Oneika for the first time was “the other.” Instead of crumble under the pressures of that title, she embraced it and became just that. Oneika separated herself from the pack with positive thinking and an unbelievable work ethic.

Onieka continues to be “the other”. She is exceptional. That little girl who fell in love with musicals in her living room in Grenada is now a celebrated actor, dancer and singer on theatres biggest platform, Broadway. Oneika has graced the stage and appeared in several of Broadway’s best shows in recent times including Fela! and Westside Story. Being a part of such productions has been rewarding enough, however Oneika has had the privilege of being a part of two casts that have won Tony Awards. In addition, she has danced with some of the best dance companies in New York City. Oneika embodies success, wrapped in a spirit of joy and humanity. She sees her purpose as larger than her individual accomplishments. She does it to encourage, to remember and to inspire. She does it for Grenada, the Caribbean, the ancestors… and for the culture! Even though she has done and accomplished much, Oneika is not done yet.

This is the Story… Thus far… Of Oneika Phillips

Episode 30: Nigel Campbell

Nigel Campbell is a lover of all things music. The Trinidad and Tobago native ventured to Toronto then on to Washington DC in his youth. No matter where he studied and lived one thing remained consistent. His curiosity about and his love for Caribbean music.

Many Caribbean people consider themselves connoisseurs of the region’s music. Some are experts within a particular genre. Others may be able to detail songs, albums and perhaps years that compositions were released. Some may be versed on one particular artists’ catalogue. Nigel Campbell’s knowledge base encompasses slices of all of these things plus more. He is especially detailed in recounting significant events and shifts within the Calypso and Soca genres.

What separates Nigel from the casual music observer is his knowledge and understanding of the music business at large. His scope and approach are wide. He understands the bigger picture. He understands where Caribbean music is, where it comes from and where it ought to be. Nigel Campbell exudes… Music!

These days, the former website developer finds himself as Co-host of one of Trinidad’s most informative Podcasts, publishing a magazine about Caribbean Jazz, promoting jazz events and writing music reviews for Caribbean Beat, the inflight magazine produced by Caribbean Airlines.       

Nigel Campbell may not have all of the answers to solve the issues within Caribbean music industry, but he certainly has many of them. If you are interested, involved or intrigued by Caribbean music on any level, you will be both entertained and informed by the following.

This is the story… thus far… of Nigel Campbell.

Episode 29: Azana Serene

Azana Serene is an absolute joy to speak to. The young Los Angeles native grew up knowing that she had a passion for fashion.

That passion turned into reality when she was accepted to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandizing (FIDM.) Her experience there would shift her thinking completely. The relationships made, the lessons learned and the mentorship had would prepare Azana for life as a fashion designer.

At an age that many would consider too tender to go into business, Azana decided to take the plunge. After much thought, planning and counsel, she created Azana Serene. An elegant clothing like for women.

Her designs are dramatic, the angles, color scheme and overall aesthetic of the brand can be likened to a powerful piece of art depicting rough seas or a cyclone. They are exciting, yet practical. Artistic, yet made for the everyday woman.

With a red carpet client already under her belt, Azana Serene is the definition of success and goals for young entrepreneurs. Never one to be arrogant, she is all business when necessary and all lovely when needed. With her beloved bowl of peanut M&Ms by her side, Azana Serene is only just beginning. Trust me, you will see her evening wear and recently introduced day wear grace elite red carpets, runways around the world and oh yes, her own branded boutiques. But that is all still to come. In the meantime.

This is the story... thus far.... of Azana Serene

 

Episode 28: Nolan Baynes

Nolan Baynes remembers playing in the lush greenery of his native Guyana. He also remembers being surrounded by family and friends who felt like family. Nolan also remembers not always having access to television. Ironically, the thing he lacked at that time would end up impacting his life the most.

At age 9 Nolan was moved to the bustling streets of Brooklyn. To him, Brooklyn was a whole new world and he was ready to absorb everything the New York borough had to offer him. His teen years saw him hanging out in basements and make shift studios within the surrounding neighborhoods. Neighborhoods that were teeming with households filled with the scents of curries, stews and baked goodies from every country within the Caribbean archipelago. Like many before him, Nolan was no longer just Guyanese. He was now West Indian American. And just like many West Indian Americans before him, Nolan would eventually go on to greatness.

His love of music allowed him to collide with the likes of Red Fox, Busta Rhymes and Jay Z in their pre fame years. In his words “Everybody in the neighborhood was an artist.” In the years that would follow, Nolan would himself get signed to a label, leave and start his own label to work with then unknown artists named Shaggy and Capleton (Yes, that Shaggy and that Capleton). He would eventually land at MTV where he would rise through the ranks. After MTV, Nolan spent time at Music Choice as a marketing executive negotiating deals with some of entertainment and media’s top brass.

Today, Nolan is once again embracing visual media as Senior Content Strategist at 300 Entertainment, home to Megan Thee Stallion, Fetty Wap and Young Thug. Nolan is part of a senior team that is poised to revolutionize the way we consume music and receive new artists.

That little boy from Guyana who hardly saw television in his early days, grew up and is now one of the innovators behind millions of screens around the world. But Nolan has more plans.

This is the story… thus far… of Nolan Baynes

Episode 27: Micha Cooper Edwards

Trinidad is known for producing a plethora of things that have come to define both its culture and the culture of the wider Caribbean. Trinidad is also known for sending both scholarly and creative people out into the wider world. Micha Cooper Edwards is one of those persons. She cannot be described by just one of the aforementioned, for she is the perfect combination of scholar and creative.

Micha Cooper Edwards is the definition of discipline. After successfully completing her undergraduate degree at Howard University where she was a student athlete she moved on to lead marketing teams for several of the world’s top brands. Micha you see is dreamer. However, unlike many she is laser focused and more importantly she is an executer. People dream of working for one large brand during their lifetime. Micha’s resume reads like an all-star list of global companies. She has worked for and lead marketing teams for NIKE, Brand Jordan, Diageo, Frito-Lay, Cadbury, Kraft and Moët-Hennessy.

After years of rising among the corporate ranks, the London School of Economics graduate decided to build her own powerhouse company. With an army of well qualified and experienced professionals by her side, Micha has created Soleil Entertainment. A company with the potential to completely rewire the culture and practices within the film industry. While she appreciates the lessons and relationships earned from the corporate world, Micha has her sights set on a bigger purpose. Soleil is a multi-dimensional, multi-platform company that will introduce the world to creatives who prior to this had little or no chance of being discovered because of the crowded spaces that exist in the world of visual media.

Micha Cooper Edwards is a pioneer. She contributed ideas and allowed some of the world’s top brands to see themselves from a different perspective. Now she is about to do the same to you and you and you by changing the way you think about and view visual media.

This is the story… thus far… of Micha Cooper Edwards.