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Interview | Questions & Answers With Kēvens

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Kēvens

There is nothing new in the fact that greedy corporate interests represent a threat to our Mother Earth. Climate change is a critical issue that will get worse in the next years if we don’t take action and protect our planet. In this interview, I had the pleasure to chat with Kēvens, who worried about the environment, created a music video entitled, “World Is Burning”. Open your mind to his words, and let’s raise awareness together for the conservation of nature. Learn also about the artist’s career below.

1 — Do you really feel the world is burning?

I certainly do. I learned long ago if your neighbor’s wall is on fire, it’s your problem too. What happened in Australia will happen again somewhere else, I pray not but it’s up to us to be vigilant and do everything in our power to reverse global warming. That window of opportunity is closing fast.

As a Florida resident, the last few hurricanes we went through have gradually intensity and I have a nauseating feeling that’s not going to stop.
In 1992, I experienced my first cat 5 hurricane and it was devastating. Now due to increasingly careless human activity on the planet, primarily the burning of fossil fuel that pump (CO2) in the atmosphere, methane, and other greenhouse gasses, the atmosphere and oceans have been heating up, glaciers melting way faster than originally predicted. Yes, World Is Burning 🥵

2 — Why is it important to create awareness through music?

Music is a language everyone can speak, it is the best platform for sonic expressive communication I know. If you have something serious to say, put it in a song.

3 — How do you respond to those who deny the reality of climate change?

I simply tell them the climate crisis is real, whether they believe it’s manmade or the Earth’s natural cycles, climate change is happening. In the end, no matter what, Mother Nature will heal herself, but we may not be able to recover.

4 — Where do you find the most inspiration to write your lyrics?

I’ve been asked this question the most over the years. My source of inspiration comes from The Almighty through life’s experiences.

5 — Can you tell us more about your life’s mantra?

My life’s mantra is “Positivity is a Necessity “ When I was much younger I had a best friend, Anthony Booker, who died tragically. I felt at a loss since we had plans to take our band Le Coup at the time to higher heights.


Years later after countless trials and errors in the music industry in addition to personal failures in love relationships, I discovered meditation. Through that new outlet, I came to know the power of positive thinking.

In 1997, a gentleman by the name of Jason Donavan (of Zenfest) hired my group, to perform at The Florida Zen Music festival. After my performance, DJ and Producer, Francisco Mendez said to me, there is trouble brewing by the main arena, the audience is being rowdy due to the heavy police presence. He urged me to get on stage and “do my thing”. Mind you, this is the rave era when parties got shut down regularly.

I went on that stage, while a member of Rabbit in The Moon (DJ Monk) was spinning. I did a little toasting to the drum and bass track he was spinning to get in sync with the audience before I decided to address them. I told the masses, “Most of us have travelled from far to be here. We don’t want to cause any trouble with the authorities, we just want a chance to dance and celebrate life!” They responded with loud screams of joy, to my surprise.I went on to say, “We don’t want this party to get shut down, so let’s raise our voices and tell the Police ‘Positivity is a Necessity’ “. At this, the crowd started chanting along with me — there was little to no music playing, just me and thousands of “strangers” raising their voices in peaceful resistance. That was the first time I used my motto in public and saw its effect. After that, things cooled off, and the event continued without any more tension with the authorities.

6 — Would you describe your musical style as drum and bass?

I would say that drum and bass is the foundation of my musical style. The drum and bass I am talking about is not the modern one but from the early reggae dub days.

7 — Over the years you’ve performed in different music festivals. Which one is your favorite? Why?

I have three special moments that comes to mind and want to share them with your audience.

A.- Being the closing act at the Ultra Music Festival Soundstage in Miami back in 2003 Bringing an all live band to an EDM scene was a challenge back when I did it in the rave days and it’s still is today. Closing that night validated me as a headlining act and changed the way I promoted my brand.

B.- Gathering of Nations Pow Wow in New Mexico. Over 500 tribes come together to dance, I had never seen anything like that before, so many spiritual dancers with costumes and songs, a treat for the mind-body and soul and experience of the Native Americans no books can teach you. To have been invited to perform in that arena was a true honor, one I will always carry with me.

C.- My all-time favorite to date is in a little town called Takamatsu Japan, the festival was One Love Fest. It was the very first time I performed in a foreign country as a Headliner. Although it was a small arena, I will never forget that experience. I ended up doing three encores, on the last one, the people in the front row rushed the stage, lifted me, and attempted to carry me. It was surreal, I never experience fans with that loving intensity until that point.


8 — What would your pre-show ritual be before performing alone on stage?

There are a few things I always do:

A.- Pray for a strong spiritual connection with the audience, that’s most important to me always.

B.- I like to be alone and silently visualize my intro, a strong intro set the pace.

C.- A quick check with my stage manager making sure the band is dialed in, dancers ready and my wardrobe person is the last person I interact with before walking on stage.

9 — What are you most excited about right now?

At this very moment in time, I am very excited to have lent this song to The Creative Youth Community Development Initiative (CYCDI) with the support of United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Lagos, Nigeria in a campaign against Climate Crisis to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of United Nations.

10 — Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

With guidance from The Most High, in 10 years my brand will be well established globally for years, inspiring young and old towards taking positive action in improving the human condition.


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By Erick Ycaza

Hi, my name is Erick Ycaza. I have a BA in Advertising & Graphic Design. This blog is to provide you with daily music news and share my personal style. Surprisingly, I have been blogging and writing about music since 2007.