Happy 1st Anniversary ASKaND!
Celebrating our first anniversary this month, the Association of St Kitts & Nevis Descendants marks a year of collective effort and unity. Displaying boundless enthusiasm and indefatigable perseverance since its foundation, our vibrant Association has significantly contributed to community engagement and social activism.
Announcing our cultural preservation, the first St Kitts & Nevis Heritage Day was a notable triumph. This event illustrated ow a sense of shared history and a rich heritage can bind a community together. As the group now diligently prepares for the second Heritage Day, we anticipate another celebration that will pulsate with cultural pride.
Aside from celebrations, dialogue formed a cornerstone of the group's activities; with ASKaND consistently identifying the need for an open dialogue with authority figures. It was this premise that initiated our insightful Fireside Chats/online discussion group. The first of
In this issue
these saw Minister Counsellor Elsa Wilkin-Armbrister, Cllr Sharon Thompson JP, and Cllr Ashley Lewis share their wisdom and discuss activism in Birmingham within the St Kitts & Nevis community. These discussions gave insights into developing a more effective community voice and developing better links and networks within the city.
ASKaND’s unwavering dedication to inclusivity manifested in several exciting ventures, one of which was a heart-warming Children's Christmas Party. A joyful Santa's Grotto, the laughter of children, the bustling volunteers, each element combined to create an unforgettable snapshot of community spirit.
Our innovation has continued to flourish with the successful execution of a 3-day Easter Bonnet Playscheme. The event's appeal spanned across ages, further strengthening ASKaND’s bond with the community.
As of now, ASKaND’s focus is firmly set on our upcoming project; the second St Kitts & Nevis Heritage Day. With anticipation building, the community is looking forward to another remarkable day filled with elements of our culture and heritage.
It is clear from these remarkable milestones that no matter the activity; whether it is a cultural festivity, a deep conversation, or a merry celebration, it is another thread that adds a rich hue to ASKaND’s vibrant tapestry. Therefore, as we raise our glasses to toast this first anniversary, we also raise a glass to the incredible determination and passion of ASKaND and it’s members at home and abroad. Here’s to many more years of meaningful community service.
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary ASKaND!
“Jumbie Corner” Birthday Party Invite SKN Movers ‘n’ Shakers
“JUMBIE CORNER”
Shantyman Chant
Shantyman; I am a student of orality. So please, Chant of Taylors Pasture, Where they sing barracuda: Teach me your repertoire of shanties. The flames are rocking, As the breeze waltzes in, And the fireflies have gathered to listen. Sing of the suffering one, In Gingerland parish. Need of school uniforms, Great catch of kingfish. Immersed in pressure, She takes the brunt. Makes the evening meal, Seasoning grunt.
Chanted
Shantyman, Shantyman, Chant of the suffering one, Where there is mangrove and conch.
Sing, Charles Walters, Of the one sitting crying. Hoping her brother, Will be blest by marlin. Still she counts a blessing, Giving thanks for the neighbour. Bringing a few dollars, And a present of snapper.
Chanted
Shantyman, Shantyman, Chant of the struggling one, Where there is mangrove and conch.
In the last issue, I said the August piece was going to be about Carnival, but then I began to dig deeper into the shanty tradition and wrote the above. It's dedicated to Charles Walters, one of the great shantymen, a member of the Gingerland Gems.
©Natty Mark Samuels, 2023. African School
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Heritage Day DJ’s
ASKaND’ s St Kitts & Nevis 2023 Heritage Day has received amazing support from all sectors of our St Kitts/Nevis community. Prominent names in the music business has stepped forward, wanting to play and perform at our event. Therefore we wanted to take the opportunity to showcase the amazing lineup of DJs who will be playing live on the day.
DJ ANTHONY D — Location: Birmingham, UK
Born and raised in the UK; listening firstly to Calypso and then Soca music, it has always been DJ Anthony D’s ‘go-to’ choice of genre to play to the masses.
As a former Senior Broadcaster/Journalist, he has had many opportunities to travel the world and experience various musical styles. However, none have ever surpassed his love of Soca.
Nurtured by his roots in St. Kitts & Nevis and living in Challengers Village for over 10 years his love for Soca was only emboldened.
Stingdem Radio, Birmingham and WINN FM in St. Kitts, gave him the means to express his love for music; with GY Radio presently also offering such a platform.
Soca is a genre that brings people together to share an experience, and a vibe like no other. Soca uplifts and gets the heart pumping and the body moving. “Wuk Up me seh!!!!!!”
DJ SMUDGE — Location: Birmingham, UK
Although Birmingham born and bred, DJ Smudge has never considered himself to be anything other than, ‘a Kittitian’. His lifelong passion for Soca was borne out the sound of those 7in & 12in vinyl records coming from the front room of his childhood home.
Watching his mother play a part in the 1st St. Kitts/Nevis organisation in Birmingham UK, had a big impact on him in terms of music & promotions. Particularly as he watched them bring the legendary Ellie Matt & the G.I's Brass to the UK for Independence Celebrations in 1983.
After building a successful career in a non-music field, DJ Smudge returned to his first love in 2001, forming the ‘Jus Us Crew’. He has been consistently entertaining audiences all over the UK and beyond. He has been recognised internationally and is closely associated with multiple bands across the Caribbean.
As a multi-genre DJ, he has an abiding love for different types of music, but Soca remains the biggest influence on his musical tastes. Seeing the fun that it brings, gives him the drive to continue entertaining people whether by DJ-ing, promoting or in on broadcasting radio .
“Who nah jam... move out de way!”
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GODFATHER — Location: Leeds, UK
Leeds’s big bad Soca veteran “Godfather”. Right outta Nevis, and Peoples FM DJ, with over 30 years in de business still going strong and bad!
DJ SPECIALIST TOUCH — Location: Leicester, UK
DJ Specialist Touch began DJ-ing on his uncle’s Sound from Nevis, ‘Viking Sound’. Along with his cousin Julian, the second generation of Viking Sound began playing at dance parties. Soon after, he decided to do his own thing, calling himself “DJ Specialist Touch”; playing out at parties, dances, and events under his own name.
He can also be found, entertaining the masses, on Leicester community radio.
SEQUINELLA — Location: Manchester, UK
Born and raised in Manchester, UK with Caribbean heritage of St. Kitts & Jamaica, Sequinella fell in love with music from an early age. With her father being a drummer/steel pan player and her mother, a pianist, she was born into music. A dancer by trade, having studied many styles from Ballet through to hip hop, Afro, Latin, Theatre Craft, and all that lies in between.
As a DJ, Sequinella has always explored different styles & genres of music throughout her life. Classical, Drum & Bass, Jungle, Soca & Calypso, Jazz, House, Dance, Latin, RnB, Afro Tecq & Afrobeat, just to name a few. Somehow, she always found a way to blend different genres to different styles and tempos; counting beats and distinguishing different melodies/ time signatures enabled her to create her unique mixes.
As Sequninella likes to say, “Music is the universal language of the soul & we all have one so let’s encounter all sounds. Ready to bring my vibes to the world!!!”
Credentials: Northern Pride (opened up for Mel C), 51st State Festival, Torture Garden London, UK Fetish awards, Manchester Pride, Notting Hill Carnival, World Fete Live, Hot Wuk London
Radio Stations: Passion Radio - Leeds, Unity Radio - Manchester, KnockHard Radio - New York, Rave RadioPoland, Touch The Wood, Italy. Regular bi-weekly Sunday show on Unity Radio Mcr
Socials: Insta: sequinella_; Facebook: djsequin-ella; Mixcloud: sequinella; Soundcloud: djsequinella
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DJ FISH HEAD — Location: Leicester, UK
Born in St Kitts, Fish Head came to England when he was just 9 years young and went to junior and secondary school in Leicester. He started DJ-ing on vinyl records using one deck at Moat Boys Youth Club. From those early beginnings, Fish Head has gone on to play at many well-known clubs around Leicester and surrounding towns and cities. He has played at: weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, carnivals, weekenders, festivals, charity events etc. Fish Head is still getting lots of bookings after 5 decades in the business. His greatest loves are his family, DJing, cricket and music.
“Music is #life; that's what we do.”
KMD — Location: Birmingham, UK
The descendant of Kittitian grandparents, KMD was born and raised in Birmingham, UK. KMD is a music producer, artist, engineer, songwriter, DJ, facilitator, filmmaker and entrepreneur. A very creative and highly skilled individual whose talents command acknowledgment and admiration.
His musical career started at a tender age of 8, on his father’s sound system. Amazed at the sound coming through the speakers, he knew this was his path in life. It was his passion for music that drove him to pursue a career in the industry.
A selector for the champion sound “Immortal”, KMD also runs his independent label ‘St Juste Music’ and owns the ‘Brumtown Hit Factory’, a recording studio based in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. Brumtown. The studio is his creative hub where he spends countless hours perfecting his sound. He is constantly in high demand for recording, production, mixing and mastering.
His credits include: Valiant, Skeng, Stalk Ashley, Stylo G, Masicka, K-Trap, M24, Aitch, Unknown T, M1llionz, Popcaan, Styles P, Rimzee, Sneakbo, Lady Leshurr, Stardom, Bounty Killer, Barrington Levy, Beenie Man, OG Niki, Maxwell D. KMD’s music has been played on BBC Radio 1 & 1xtra, Capital, Kiss, Reprezent, The Beat London and many other stations across the globe by top names including; Trevor Nelson, Tim Westwood, Charlie Sloth, Ras Kwame, Sacha Brooks, MistaJam, DJ Quincy, Hotsteppa, DJ Woody and DJ Pioneer.
No stranger to the stage, he has performed across the entire UK, with spells in Holland and Germany. He has also shot music videos in Portugal, New York and LA.
"Melodies
KMD.
Follow KMD: Insta: https://instagram.com/kmdbrumtown; Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kmdbrumtown
On Saturday 29th July we completed our 12-week ‘jaunt’ across the Atlantic, making our way to Independence Square in St Kitts. Our aim was to walk the distance, as a group from Birmingham to St Kitts & Nevis; was a distance of 4054 miles!
I am delighted to say, that in total we walked 4,294 miles! (or 8,588,036 steps). Which allowed us to walk an additional 18 miles to the Christena Ferry Monument, in Charlestown, Nevis.
A huge “thank you” goes out to all those who took part inour sponsored walk. Our Walking Group was a massive support, with several of us choosing to continue walking to rack up a 1000 miles each!
Looking forward to doing the same again in 2024; and maybe we will make it to see Neville in Washington DC next time!
and emotion are the key elements that need to be present to make good music."
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