BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TWO THOUSAND AND THIRTEEN marks the 17th year that the St. Kitts Music Festival is being hosted on the island and we at SKNVibes are excited about one of the performing acts, who hails from the Federation, who is ONLY 16 years old.
Yes, you read right…He is Dejour Alexander, a 5A1 student at the Washington Archibald High School who has been singing since the tender age of seven and has made history in being booked for the most prestigious music event in the Region.
With that said, we definitely had to take time to interview Dejour and the two individuals he holds dear to him…Mommy and Daddy Alexander.
Winnielle – Dejour, greetings from SKNVibes. How are you doing?
Dejour - I’m good.
Winnielle - How are your exams going?
Dejour - Exams are going good so far and I’m almost at the end of my high school life.
Winnielle - It must be quite a challenge for you, having to study and still rehearse for your performance at this year’s St. Kitts Music Festival. Tell us about how you’re handling the two.
Dejour - Well, due to the fact that exams were right around the corner I haven’t put too much thought into rehearsals, because music is my passion but my education comes first.
Winnielle - Tell us what goes on at rehearsals.
Dejour - We just have fun singing and dancing, and rehearsals last for about five hours each session.
Winnielle - Who is usually present for rehearsals?
Dejour - The band members, back-up singers, Dagah and my dad are always present at rehearsals.
Winnielle - What do you enjoy doing when you are not studying or rehearsing, and what is it that you are passionate about?
Dejour - When I’m not studying or rehearsing I enjoy relaxing, eating and listening music. I’m very passionate about Music.
Winnielle - Being that you are an artiste, in the role model light, how your friends treat you in school and those who may not know you personally, how is that vibe amongst your peers?
Dejour - I don't think they treat me any different to any other student in school, because at the end of the day I’m still just Dejour.
Winnielle - Explain to us the day when you received the call…when you were told you were one of the chosen to perform on the St. Kitts Music Festival; take us through that time.
Dejour - They didn't actually call me, they called my dad and he broke the news to me. And I was like…“for real, daddy stop playing…For real? Mommy tell daddy stop playing nuh. For real?” He said, ‘Yes why would I lie about that.” I am still smiling today.
Winnielle - You know you have made history…right? You will be the youngest male artiste to perform on the SKMF. How do you feel about that?
Dejour - I feel really excited to be sharing the same stage with well-known international artistes Shaggy and Beres Hammond. To even be considered to be one of the local acts to perform on the St. Kitts Music Festival is an honour. This just proves that you are never too young and success does not have an age limit.
Winnielle - What would you like people to know that is most important in your eyes for them to know?
Dejour - Without God nothing is possible!
Winnielle - If you had one wish, what would it be?
Dejour - To become successful in the music industry.
This is what Dejour’s mother, Jermaine Alexander, shared with SKNVibes.
Q - How do you feel about your son’s interest in the music industry?
A - I am happy that he found his passion. He enjoys music/singing. I am very supportive of everything he does. As long as it is positive he has my vote. I also encourage him to never settle for anything but the best and always have a back up plan.
Q - What advice/wisdom do you share with him in regards to his studies and his passion?
A - Remember God, without Him you are nothing. Education is the key! Once you get it, it can never be taken away from you. Do what you love and you will be guided by positive surprises and not by fear.
Q- What are your hopes for your son?
A - My hope is that he does well in his academic life and becomes successful.
Dwight Alexander, Dejour’s father also shared with us.
Q - What do you enjoy doing with your son most?
A - I enjoy listening to music with him and talking about everyday life just to get his views on how he feels about what is happening in the world/our country and what we could do to make it better. It only takes a spark to get a fire going.
Q - What do you teach him as a dad in regards to him as an individual?
A - I try to teach him that no man is an island. We are all equal in the eyes of the Almighty and we should treat each other with respect, because whatever a man sows, so shall he reap.
Q - And what are your hopes for your son?
A - I hope and pray he remains humble along his journey through life and one day achieves his goal of becoming an international singing sensation and make St. Kitts/Nevis proud. It’s not shock that Dejour, like many great artistes, also sings in the church. He’s actually a member of the Antioch Baptiste Church Youth Choir.
Dejour Alexander won the title of ZIZ 50th Anniversary Song Competition in 2011 at age 14 and was the youngest to participate in that event. Some of his songs include ‘Don’t Love me’, ‘Party Up’ and the well-known, ‘Take a Ride (Your Eyes)’. He has collaborated with a number of local artistes such as Eazy B, Silky, De General, Malik and, more recently, Infamus, as he is working on a mix tape titled ‘The Hit Factory Volume 1’. Dejour is also a member of the IREPSKN Music Group.
He is seemingly grounded, supported and comforted with love from both his parents. He has great passion for the art of singing and is much focused on his school studies. He plans to attend college after high school to study Business Management and hopes to become an artiste/ entrepreneur
When asked what he has in store for the people who attend this year’s St. Kitts Music Festival, Dejour said, “An exciting, never seen before performance.”