Q & A with KMC
Interview conducted by Denise Campbell

Congratulations on you new contract with Ultra Records and on the popularity of “Soul on Fire.” What kind of reception have you received since the signing?

The reception has been great.

How did you get start your start in the music industry?

I had a love for music since childhood and I’ve always been involved in some way. At seven, I played steel pan on the road and at eight I was playing drums. When I was a teenager I met a man called Daddy Sensi, who worked with dancehall artists. The music he produced was heavily influenced by dancehall and this struck a cord with me. But, at first, I didn’t take a career in music seriously until a bit later. In 1992-93, I started making cassettes with Dr. Hyde, a local DJ. When records became popular in Trinidad, I began to record on vinyl. But at the time Trinidad didn’t have much room for Trinidadian dancehall artists so I went to Jamaica in 1997 to work on my skills. When I returned, I tried my hand at Soca. The sound blew up during Carnival ‘97 and ’98. When I saw how Soca was received all over the world, I never looked back.

What was the breakthrough moment for you? When did you feel as if you’d moved ahead of the pack?

The breakthrough moment came in 1998 with a song called, “Bashment to Carnival.” It was my first Soca hit. It was very powerful and changed the direction of Soca music in Trinidad. Since then, I’ve been consistent and I’ve seen the progress each year from the beginning to now. Every year has been a great year for KMC.

You’re also a producer. How did that come about?

Yes, I’m a producer. I began producing in 1999. I have my own record label now and I feel that every artist – from the smallest to the largest – has a lot of potential. When I realized that the groovy type of Soca was getting attention and with the reception Kevin Little received, I began to get more involved because I’d been writing those types of songs for so long. “Soul on Fire” drew the attention of Ultra Records and opened the door for the deal I was offered.

Is your plan to take Soca to the heights Reggae and Dancehall has achieved?

Yes. Soca is beginning to get mainstream attention due to the success of artists like Kevin Little. So we as artists have to be prepared because we are getting noticed by mainstream and urban music communities. So if we get have Soca on the Billboard charts we need more artists to understand where they have to go with the music so that Soca can reach the heights of reggae.

What makes you stand out from your peers, both past and contemporary?

I think my style is original. I like to create my own melodies and to work on music production. I am one of the few. So I create the music and write lyrics for myself and other artists. I have a hand in everything.

What inspired the single, “Soul on Fire?”

My fiancée.

In light of your contract with Ultra Records, what will be different? What are you hoping to achieve musically and career-wise?

All of Trinidad and Tobago is looking at me right now. I am an Ambassador for my country and my goal is to take Soca music to the highest height and to open an even wider doorway for all Soca artists to follow.

Do you have any plans to perform at any of the Caribbean stage shows?

My band and I are in talks to do a show with MTV and we have a big show in Canada. I’ve been travel and performing all over the world. This deal with Ultra Records will give us access to mainstream shows.

What has been the response of the Reggae and Soca purists who are opposed to this fusion of Reggae and Soca and believe the genres should be kept separate?

I used to get a lot of criticism, but it has lessoned quite a bit. I don’t really care, because people have been moving to my creation, including some of those critics. What I’m doing may put Trinidad on the map. The people who’ve been criticizing haven’t done anything for Soca, so we need some new critics now. The existing ones aren’t important.

How do you intend to solidify your role as producer within the new deal? What are your goals within this role?

I produce many of my own songs. I have a group called Ward One, who I think will do very well internationally. I also have two other artists I’ve been working with, Jungle and Sensa. I’m keeping things small for now to ensure that I spend sufficient time with them.

You have quite a few collaborations, who are some of the artists you hope to work with in the future?

Right now I have a song I’d love to do with Kenny Rogers. So I’m hoping that things will go well and I’ll arrive at a level where prominent artists will be excited to work with me. I’ve recorded with Lil’ Jon and I have finished the "Soul On Fire" remix with Beenie Man. In general I go with the flow and vibes.

Any plans to incorporate more hip-hop in your music in the hopes of catching the ear of a larger audience?

The current album has quite a bit of hip-hop. I’m not limiting myself and I’m experimenting with different kinds of music.

Who are your musical influences?

Anybody who has real talent and consistency within the music industry. I like Evanescence, and the Cranberries. My absolute favorite is Sizzla. I have every album he’s ever recorded and I’d love to work with him.