Kēvens

Kēvens (Kēvens Bendix Celestine) is an American singer/songwriter, residing in Miami, Florida. He has appeared at festivals worldwide, including the Ultra Music Festival in Miami and South Korea, the White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia and the One Love Fest in Takamatsu, Japan. He has guested with acts Stephen Marley, Rabbit in the Moon, Heavyweight Dub Champion and Liberation Movement,[1] and describes his style as "theatrical rock reggae".[2][3]

Kēvens
Kēvens performing at Seoul Olympic Stadium in South Korea, June 10, 2018
Background information
Birth nameKēvens Bendix Celestine
OriginUnited States
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
InstrumentsVocalist, Trombone
Years active1997-present
LabelsKTF Music
Associated actsStephen Marley
Rabbit In The Moon
Heavyweight Dub Champion
Liberation Movement
Websitewww.kevens.com

History

After a career as a commercial actor, Kēvens started in the music business in Miami as a DJ and MC.[3] He was part of the Miami-based group Le Coup founded by Bob Marley's half brothers Richard and Anthony Booker. Kēvens said of this early period of his career,

I had the privilege of meeting influential people in the industry, one of them being Bob Marley’s mother (Cedella Marley Booker) who told me that when you are writing a song, write it like you are writing a letter, with emotions, feelings, and experiences in it. Every song I write I pray first for guidance.[2]

Le Coup disbanded in 1997 and Kēvens continued a relationship with the Marley family occasionally performing with Stephen Marley, Damian Marley and Julian Marley.

Kēvens with Cedella Booker

After his time with Le Coup ended, Kēvens moved his career towards genre-crossing explorations of rock, trip-hop, drum and bass and EDM, while maintaining his reggae foundation. He created a variety of live acts to be a feature at different festivals throughout the world.

Kēvens has released one full studio album called We Are One (in 2010) and a variety of singles since 2000. In 2018, he released the single, Sweet Lady Liberty of which FSHN Magazine said "Timing couldn’t be more perfect for a new anthem that everyone can relate to and breaks down barriers in an era where hatred and divide seem more prominent than ever."[4]

I’m going to make sure whatever I sing or write is timeless

— Kēvens [2]

Live performances

Kēvens has emphasized his live performance throughout his career stating "What keeps me alive... is the show" [2] He was the first "live act" to play EDM's seminal Ultra Music Festival(UMF), and has performed at UMF in Miami 11 times, performing on the line up with such acts as Paul Oakenfold, Paul Van Dyk, and Moby. In June 2018, he performed at the newer extension of the festival as part of the UMF worldwide expansion, Ultra Korea in Seoul, South Korea, and held at the 69,950 seats Seoul Olympic Stadium.

In 2012, a new two-day, multistage concert called the UR1 music festival was scheduled to be held in downtown Miami and coincide with Art Basel. Kēvens was scheduled to perform, bringing his unique brand of live-dubstep-reggae-rock to the main stage at UR1 to open for Kravitz and Jane’s Addiction. [5]

In 2013, Kēvens, alongside the Jacksons and others, participated in the White Nights Festival, an annual summer festival, and one of the most popular in St. Petersburg, Russia. The festival was broadcast throughout Russia, and the Russian territories to an estimated audience of 50 million on Channel One Russia.[6]

Kēvens performing with Stephen Marley and Damian Marley

According to Miami.com, Kēvens is "one of the first to blend a live band with electronic dance music" and they name his particular style of fusion "an exceptional unique sound."[5] In 2008, Kēvens headlined North America's largest Pow-wow the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Indian Country News calls his live show "powerfully profound".[3]

Ideology

An ideological foundation plays a strong role in Kēvens' artistic presentation. He explains his perspective:

We all have to go through experiences that we know, love is the glue that holds us all together... let's forget about power and judgement.

Through his music he "works to spread a message of peace and brotherhood that transcends all cultures".[1] In an interview with the Sunday News in Zimbabwe he declares “I don’t talk about religion, age and nationality because that is meant to separate and divide us." [7] In another interview, with MIA Magazine, he states "Reggae to me is the sound of truth".[1] He has become synonymous with the mantra "Positivity is a Necessity". The Indian Country News explains that although "his elaborate stage costumes and theatrical concerts are pure 21st-century, his goal is timeless: to bring all races, cultures, and backgrounds together." [3]

Discography

Singles
  • We Play Music - Felli & Buddy vs Bassbin Twins featuring MC Kēvens. (2000).
  • Sunshine (Feat. Kēvens)- Milissa. (2011). Milissa.
  • My Baby Boo (Radio Mix). (2012). KTF Publishing.
  • My Baby Boo (Club Mix). (2012). KTF Publishing.
  • We’re Alive - Electrik Dread feat. Kēvens. (2014). Nine Mile Entertainment, Inc.
  • We're Alive (Riddler Remix) - Electrik Dread feat. Kēvens. (2014). Nine Mile Entertainment.
  • Find Your Light. (2014). KTF Music
  • Bright & Beautiful (EKTO1 Remix). (2016). KTF Music
  • Positivity (Feat. Kēvens & JLB) - DJ Short-E & LP. (2016). SoulPro Music.
  • Bright & Beautiful (feat. Kaukuta). 2016. KTF Publishing
  • All in Love (feat. Kēvens) - Hook Shop & Sly & Robbie. (2017). Michael Henry.
  • Sweet Lady Liberty (2018). KTF Music
  • Sweet Lady Liberty (Tech House Remix). (2018). KTF Music.

Albums
  • We Are One. (2010). Rum Bum Music.

Video Games

References
  1. Cristin Wilson (June 13, 2018). "Kevens Spreads Peace, Positivity Through Reggae (page 18)". MIA Magazine.
  2. Stuart Thornton (Aug 28, 2008). "Monterey Bay Reggaefest displays the genre's changing influences". montereycountyweekly.com.
  3. Staff (April 15, 2008). "Kevens to headline Stage 49 at Gathering of Nations". indiancountrynews.com.
  4. FSHN Staff (March 1, 2018). "South Florida Artist Kēvens Gets Political With Sweet Lady Liberty". FSHNmagazine.com.
  5. Staff (November 8, 2012). "Rocker Lenny Kravitz joins UR1 Festival lineup in Miami during Art Basel weekend". miamiherald.com.
  6. Staff (2013). "White Nights Festival of St. Petersburg".
  7. Shingirai Huni (May 17, 2015). "American reggae artiste charmed by Victoria Falls". Sunday News Zimbabwe.
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