PRESS RELEASE: Kenne Blessin Drops New Single In US Following Europe Tour

Story and Photo By Arthia Nixon

(Atlanta, Georgia) Antiguan-Jamaican artist Kenne Blessin was given a hearty welcome by his American fans when he delivered his familiar hits like Seaching and Cinderella plus his newly released single Under Mi Sensi  at the Vinyl club in downtown Atlanta. As the only Caribbean performer on the roster for the evening, Kenne Blessin proved his effortless transition as a bonafide crossover artist with the songs that married pop, R&B and a hint of island medley with soca and reggae.

“It was extremely well received,” Kenne Blessin said of his first performance of Under Mi Sensi, now available for online purchase. “I wrote it on my recent tour of Europe that included England and Amsterdam. I was completely astonished with the reception I got in England. People sang along with me when I was on stage and fans came up and said ‘as soon as you opened you mouth, the voice matched the record’.”

After three weeks in Europe, Kenne hit Antigua briefly before being called to engagements in Atlanta and at three venues in New York. He also hit the stage with several major Antiguan artists for Antigua Day at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, among them soca monarch Tian Winter.

To mark the new phase in his career, he even cut off his signature locks and has added a stylist to his team who is connected to The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Additionally, he’s appeared in magazines, American newspapers, blogs, radio and his performances were seen on television in several states and across the Caribbean.

“It’s far from a vacation for him,” said manager Patricia Henry of VPJ. “He is working in the studio and on the stage when he’s not taping his reality show and Antigua Crossover Tour. Meanwhile, his team is working behind the scenes in various aspects from publicity to stylists and from bookings to potential endorsements and securing contracts. Right now, America is ripe and ready to embrace Caribbean culture and artists and it’s more than putting on a show. It’s working around the whole artist and instead of going about making music but rather navigating the business of music. And Kenne is doing an awesome job and setting a standard.”

Kenne Blessin admitted that while there have been some ups and downs and a few disappointments in his career, he is going full throttle in order to reach his ultimate goal.

“Collaborating with major artists, landing a label, securing a distribution deal or all of the above,” he says. “That is going the ultimate goal. I feel I have the talent and the ability. Now its all about being in the right place and the right time and I’m prepared. It’s coming.”

Charlotte, North Carolina - As Antiguans anxiously waited to see who would advance to the semi-finals of its prestigious Soca Monarch contest, Kenne Blessin and Fucha Kid, two of the island’s well known recording artists were unofficially representing the nation as headliners of North Carolina’s Caribbean Carnival. Kenne Blessin also took part in this year’s changing of the flag, taking the stage with this year’s Carnival queen winner, who also happens to be originally from Antigua. Their performances are being documented in an online reality show/documentary series entitled Antigua Crossover Tour.

According to Linda Brown, president of the North Carolina Carnival, their contribution helped take the event to a whole new level.

“It was great,” Brown stated. “I know I had a really great experience. The band and the stage performers were a real treat because we usually don’t have a band. The crowd has been enthusiastic. It was so good to have them here so it was definitely electrifying.”

Brown further explained that with the festival being used as a learning tool, this year, they focused on educating attendees about Antigua, complete with mock street signs from the island.

“Some of us are born in America but come from parents who are of Caribbean descent,” explained Brown. “We have the opportunity to learn about the island, the flag and the people. We get to see the national pride and get to see people really celebrate their islands. It enhances our festival and we chose to do it every year. Next year, we will be focusing on the US Virgin Islands but this year it was all about Antigua.”

The stellar performances in Charlotte came a week after Fucha Kid and Kenne Blessin took the stage at the Charleston Carifest in South Carolina. President Lorna Beck expressed similar sentiments, noting that they both kept the festive atmosphere lively.

“They were very well received and the crowd enjoyed them very much,” Beck said. “We were very delighted they were able to join us.”

“Definitely a lot of love from Carolina,” said Kenne Blessin after his performance. “Plenty of good vibes and that made the performance even better. I really enjoyed the hospitality there and it was real good to see so many Antiguan flags waving in the air. Caribbean pride is strong in Carolina and it’s an honor to take part in that.”

For Fucha Kid, who visited the Carolinas for the first time, it was a “memorable” experience.

“It’s good to travel to the US and meet people who know who you are and dance to your music,” he said. “Whether it was a club or Carnival event, so far in the journey, I have to say it’s been a great experience going from city to city to meet fans and supporters and share the music. Antigua is a small country but it is making a big impact, especially through music, in the US.”

Drastic, Kenne Blessin, Logiq for Nautical party

By Brenton Henry- Observer Media - Friday, May 3rd, 2013.

Drastic

St. John’s Antigua- When the competitive races end later today, after prizes are distributed and yachts are securely anchored at Nelson’s Dockyard, the official closing party of Antigua Sailing Week will start.

This year, the highly anticipated event dubbed “Destination Dadli Nautical” – which coincides with the launch of Chosen Sounds’ latest CD of the same name – will take place at Abracadabra in English Harbour.

Chosen Sounds owner Omari Harrigan, who is organising the event, has promised that the party will be out of the ordinary and features some of the country’s premiere entertainers.

“And it’s all about Antigua and exporting the country to the world,” he said. “Not only can you get that CD but you also get to hear the music and absorb the vibes of the artists.”

The Antigua Sailing Week closing party normally brings together a blend of local party lovers and sailors.

This year, live music from mid-night will come from Drastic and the PULSE Band, Kenne Blessin and Carlos Turner, and Logiq Pryce.

The internationally acclaimed Outcast will be part of a team of DJ’s who also include DJs Miks, Merchy, Jahny Gwap and Selecta J.

“If you want to party, this is the place to be,” Harrigan said.

Kenne Blessin

Each year, the after party marks the official close of activities for the weeklong sailing regatta believed to be among the most successful in the world.