Planet Thirty

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.

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!

Episode 25: Chad Kent

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!

 

 

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.

 

 

Episode 23: Iyaz

Iyaz, did the unthinkable. Historically, artists from the Caribbean who have had world-wide success, have been from one of the larger islands in the Caribbean. Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados all lay claim to internationally successful artists.

Iyaz experienced wonderful childhood complete with a large family and loving parents on the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. After high school Iyaz decided to spread his wings and attend college in the United States. He had big dreams of becoming an audio engineer and music video director. Within a few years, his wish would be granted… Sort of!

As the story goes, pop star Sean Kingston messaged Iyaz via Myspace several times. Thinking the messages were fake, Iyaz initially ignored them. Finally, after some time, he responded and as the saying goes the rest was history.

Iyaz signed to Kingston’s Time is Money Entertainment, an imprint of the Warner Brothers Group. He then recorded and released a slew of singles, guided by Sean Kingston, his manager Steve Lobel and the Baluga Heights team headed by the legendary J.R. Rotem.

Ten years on, Iyaz has toured the world and performed to audiences in some of the most iconic venues. His songs have sold millions of copies and his music videos have racked up hundreds of millions of views.

Iyaz was preparing for a career behind the camera. Life however had other plans. He ended up in front of the camera. With appearances on top TV shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Iyaz has had a charmed career thus far. At present, he is assisting with the development of new artists. Selflessly ensuring that others benefit from his knowledge. But Iyaz is no where near finished. In addition to working on a new project due in 2021, he has enough experience in the business to tell a funny story or two as well as offer sound advice to aspiring artists.

This is the story… thus far… Of Iyaz.

 

Episode 22: Cordane Richardson

Cordane Richardson stands 6 feet 7 inches. Let me say that again. Cordane Richardson is 6 feet 7 inches tall. Cordane, moves as gracefully on the basketball court as his fingers do on the ivory keys of any piano.

His dad? A painter and well-loved high school science teacher. His mom? A legendary instructor and authority on all things music. Being raised by these parents allowed Cordane to explore several subjects within the sphere of academia, in addition to diving head first into the arts. He admits that his painting ability peaked at age 12. Evidently water color, acrylics and oils were not in his future. But that was ok. He still had music. With an expert teacher as a mother, it wasn’t a bad plan B.

Cordane started playing the piano at age 3, and by age 14 he had completed all examination levels of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. He was sure that this was his calling. After completing University in San Diego, he decided to reach higher and completed his masters at the Berkley School of Music’s campus in Valencia,  Spain.

Today Cordane is an excellent musician and composer. Meticulous yet emotive. His compositions are informed by the countless hours of classical music which he practiced on his parents’ piano, yet still brushed by the rhythms of soca, dancehall and reggae that his ears could not avoid, growing up in the Caribbean.  His work puts him in a world where entertainment and the arts intersect and live happily.

Cordane Richardson. Remember his name. If you can’t, please write it down. It is poised to be amid great media composers like John Williams. Yes he has quite a ways to go, but if what he has accomplished is any indication. He’ll get there.

Here is the story… thus far… of Cordane Richardson.

 

 

 

Episode 21: Jermaine Payne

Jermaine Payne is a burst of energy. Then again, why wouldn’t he be? He grew up with the ambition to be a singer or an actor… or both really. His formative years were spent around his grandmother’s restaurant. Little did he know, he was absorbing the fundamentals of business even at that early age.

 

While playing with his friends around his grandmother’s restaurant was fun, Jermaine had his sights set on the big stage. By the time he was in his early teens he started a Soca and Reggae band with said friends. They surprised everyone with their talent. Jermaine was one of the lead vocalists and wore his heart on his sleeve. In the world of Soca music in the Caribbean’s Leeward Islands, band members are akin to gladiators. They throw insults at one another during live shows and especially on record, both subtly and directly. Jermaine, was there for it all. His love of the music and culture saw him singing all the way through his college years. Often taking flights from New York back to the Caribbean just to perform.

 

By his early 20s Jermaine realized that his goals for success were not likely going to be fueled by a music career in such a small market. After landing a job as a purchasing manager at a small, boutique, but dare I say uber chic property on Anguilla, Jermaine’s thoughts toward success and the direction of his career were altered. The lessons learned while scampering around his grandmother’s restaurant came rushing back. Jermaine fell in love with business.

 

After a few jobs in the hospitality industry and creating a social media marketing company he landed on his first huge success as an entrepreneur: Squareless Property Solutions. In hip-hop terms, Jermaine was Killing the Game. He was the go-to source for apartment rentals on the island. Jermaine however realized yet again that the size of the market would not continue to propel him in his intended direction. He threw caution to the wind, packed his bag and moved to London. What happened next surprised even Jermaine.

 

This is the story… Thus far… of Jermaine Payne.