BASSETERRE ST. KITTS - SKNVIBES is the undisputed leader when it comes to entertaining the citizens of the Federation and those in the Diaspora. Not even in his wildest dreams would Cliff Richards, SKNVibes Chief Operating Officer (COO), have imagined that the Youth Empowerment through Skill (YES) Programme would have given his entertainment house heartthrob entertainers who now have a large following.
The YES Programme, which came into being on February 13 this year when Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas launched it in an effort to put the youth of this country on a path of construction, has not only fulfilled that mandate but has gone a notch higher.
It has helped unearth talent that would have gone to waste, and SKNVibes is a beneficiary.
When the media house was requested by organisers of the YES Programme that they take two young men for the six-month attachment that is stipulated by the programme, its management agreed and the seemingly green pair of Rajiv Hamilton (24) of Cayon and Kesean James (19) of Ottley’s were quickly dispatched.
‘Looks can deceive’, that appears to be the thinking at SKNVibes. After the two were introduced to People Entertaining People (PEP) Radio to work as DJs, they assumed the performing names DJ Rinch (Hamilton) and DJ Hi-Light (James) and online entertainment in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has never been the same.
This was talent that was getting wasted at home until the YES Programme came on stream and embarked on the mammoth task of streamlining how the youth in this country work and live.
Cliff Richards (not the British superstar) explained that since the two started working at SKNVibes, they have shown their eagerness and willingness to take what is on offer.
“If we ask them to come at 7 o’clock in the morning, they will be here because they are anxious, they are willing and they have shown interest to learn, not only in that PEP Radio department but they have also learnt to operate the video and still photo cameras that we have here.”
Speaking on the virtues of the YES Programme, Richards said: “I see it as a way of helping young people basically to get off the streets and to find something productive to do. It also helps them to actually go out in the world of work, feel it out too because some of them might be in positions that it might not be what they want to do, but it is a starting point basically…and to me it is actually helping them in some way to see, hey, this is just a start for me and there is further things to come for me.”
DJ Rinch and Hi-Light now have a large following when their programme ‘Gone Clear Drive’ comes on air at 2:00 p.m. daily. On their future at SKNVibes, the COO noted: “They basically gave themselves a job.”
When suggested to him, Richards agreed that without the YES Programme the two energetic DJs would be doing things that are not of their calling.
DJ Hi-Light attended the Cayon High School until the fourth form. He did some work at a music store which he says did not give him a steady income. However, when he enrolled at the YES Programme, he told them the areas he was interested in.
“Right now we are working on PEP Radio Station and other than that we would be working on the whole SKNVibes entertainment page, like taking pictures and that kind of stuff,” James explained. “We do interviews with overseas artistes. I am getting that kind of experience and more because it is like…it is helping me with my interviewing skills like I never thought that I could interview them big artistes, like Macka Diamond and I am doing it now.”
The young man from Ottleys has never had it this good in his entire life. He always dreamed of meeting big stars and looking them up in magazines was his hobby. But because of the YES Programme, which connected him with SKNVibes, he has interviewed Macka Diamond and is looking forward to interview Idonia and David ‘Mavado’ Brooks.
“We are enjoying,” he said. Asked if SKNVibes will be his permanent base in terms of fulltime employment, he philosophically said: “We already get official welcome to the staff so I guess after the training I will still be here.”
DJ Rinch also attended the Cayon High School where he graduated from the fifth form. After graduation he did some construction work but was later laid off and was at home doing little, although he had an interest in the music industry, until a friend introduced him to the YES Programme.
“I love this field,” said Hamilton. “The YES Programme has managed to get me what I need, the experience in the field I really like. They have given me that chance to do what I like. So I love SKNVibes right now. Without the YES Programme it might have been tough for me to get in and do what I need.”
Like James, Hamilton explained that they are given the chance to attend social events where they take pictures and videos. There is an entertainment page on SKNVibes, where they upload the pictures for members of the public to view. Those are new skills that SKNVibes is helping them acquire and they are grateful for the opportunity, which he assured they would use to the benefit of all parties.
