WITH A new album in stores and several hits lined up for Carnival 2009, KMC (Ken Marlon Charles) is once again at the top of his game.

Even though he has been writing songs of all genres since the age of 12, KMC truly started off in the music business more than 20 years ago writing and singing dub (now called dancehall) music.

“I used to be a security guard and I would write at work all the time,” he recalled. “I didn’t realise music would turn out to be a career but when I made more money in a day with my music than I would in a week on the job, I gave it up.”

KMC released several dancehall hits before he made the transition to soca and in 1998, he had his first hit “Soca Bashment”.

Since then, he has been responsible for the creation of several popular riddims including the Thunderbirds, X-out and Tear Drop riddims. He has also produced many songs for performers such as Machel Montano, Denise Belfon, Maximus Dan, Ricky Jai and Destra Garcia.

In 2005 KMC made some big steps in his career as he started his band Red, White and Black as well as his company, KMC Music Label. The company features KMC as well as artistes such as Revelation, Jungle, and Chevonne Spencer.

“I’m always building beats. As I hear the lyrics and melody I get a beat so for me, producers would take too long to give me my songs,” he explained. Also in 2005, he signed to Ultra Empire Sequence Records, an American music label. His debut album on the label, Soul on Fire, entered the Billboard Top 200 at number 84. It has sold over 300,000 copies worldwide.

This year, he has released a new, 15-track album entitled Imperium — I Am Who I AM. The album includes collaborations with dancehall superstar Beenie Man, and the popular, local, crossover band, JMC 3Veni. Fans can also look out for R&B, hip hop and, of course, soca tracks on the album.

“I do all kinds of music but at the end of the day we live in the land of soca and that’s what gets us out there,” he explained.

According to KMC, the album is a message to those who want to pressure him and change him into who they want him to be.

“Don’t limit me to soca!” he exclaimed. “This is me and this is my music.”

Tracks include the ever popular “I’m not Drunk”; his first venture into chutney, “Wey Meh Lover Gone”; a social commentary, “Yeast”; his Road March bid, “I Will” and other songs such as “Living Water”, “Long Road to Travel” and “Good Love”.

“I just want to let people know that for Carnival 2009, KMC will be everywhere,” he concluded.

By JANELLE DE SOUZA

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