Story and photos courtesy Overtime Media
Magnum SummerStageTT Spotlight Winner 2023, Ola “KESI” Tempro just released her new single entitled “Money” last week, in advance of the Magnum SummerStageTT Xplosion concert 2024, which will be hosted by CKL Promotions, in association with Purple Robe Entertainment and Ultimate Promotions on Saturday August 10 at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain.
KESI HAILS FROM ARIMA :Born and raised in the vibrant town of Arima in Trinidad as the third of six children, “Kesi” is emerging as a dynamic force in the music industry, after growing up in a bustling household with her brothers and sisters and music playing an integral part of their lives. Tempro admits that the rich musical traditions in her family played a crucial role in shaping her artistic journey:
“From ever since I know myself,” she recalled, “we were always singing and dancing in my house, so I just love music, it’s a part of me!”
KESI WON THE SCHOOLS CALYPSO MONARCH
Tempro’s upbringing was marked by a unique blend of influences having been exposed to the spiritual teachings of Rastafari by her father and the faith of Christianity by her mother resulting in a unique fusion of cultures and beliefs that has definitely contributed to her diverse musical palette and stylings. Tempro participated in the School Soca Monarch competition during her primary school years and her undeniable talent led her to win her first Calypso competition at just nine years old, setting the stage for her future in the world of music.
Her success continued through secondary school, where she triumphantly claimed victory in the School Calypso Monarch competition.
Finding renewed inspiration and determination thanks to her singer/songwriter sister Keda Tempro during the Covid-19 Pandemic, KESI explored Soca and Dancehall styles before delivering her breakthrough single, “Good Up” in 2020. Recorded by Trinibad Foundation DJ Punz Entertainment and produced by the French producer TAD JMC, KESI’s “Good Up” single received significant airplay and garnered love from the public – motivating her to continue to explore her talents.
“It was a really Really REALLY satisfying feeling to finally get that validation,” Tempro admitted. “I almost quit so many times cause anybody who has done music in Trinidad knows how frustrating it can be to get a break in this industry, but the elders say God don’t give you more than you can carry, so I kept the faith and more recently, things are turning around and the future seems brighter…”
The Magnum Tonic Wine SummerStageTT “Spotlight” competition in 2023 served as the perfect opportunity to shed light on KESI whose original creation, “Vroom” was suggested and co-signed by Jamaican Dancehall legend, “Bounty Killer”, who mentored and encouraged her online after describing her style as “real authentic Dancehall” and pushing her to enter the “Spotlight” competition with the catchy, “Vroom”.
“Is all about de SoDa right now,” she enthused. “Izah Trini to de bone, so ah love meh Soca… So de Soca and Dancehall is de main flex right now, but ah also like meh dancehall, meh Zess, meh Trinibad, reggae, Calypso, hip-hop, Afrobeats and everything with good vibrations too… Trinidad itself is one big all-inclusive, we mix everything and we speak the language of the universe, which is love really and truly… Doh lemme get too deep – it still early. Leh we dance and have some fun first… lols.. Allyuh doh worry, I coming wit real styles for my ladies and ah love celebrating my Caribbean men too, so just jump on de KESI train one-time cause we OUTSIDE & we goin places!”
Supported by her songwriting, theatre-experienced sister, KESI choreographed and enhanced her dynamic stage presence and creative performance presentation by riding into the final night of the competition on the back of a motorcycle! This extra element of showmanship set her a cut above the rest of the competition and earned her the nod from the judges and the fans alike.
In these difficult and challenging times, KESI hopes her story will serve as a testament to the tenets of resilience and determination. She firmly believes in the power of persistence, often telling herself and others:
“Keep trying; you may fail for 100 days, but on the hundred and first day (101st), you can find your moment to shine.”
THIS IS HER MOMENT NOW. Thank YOU for sharing it!
KESI will be in Kingston recording with Romeich Major and is open to interviews, collaborations and content creation during the week of August 4 – 6, 2024.
Follow KESI @drealkesi on IGFor more on KESI, subscribe to overtimett.com or email: drealkesimusicbookings@gmail.com
