Kēvens (Kēvens Bendix Celestine) is an American actor, singer and songwriter, residing in Miami, Florida. Kēvens, otherwise known as 'The Dub Guardian,' has been producing chart-topping music over the course of several decades. On December 1, 2023, his anthem entitled "Legal Dreamers" reached No. 1 on the Jamaican Singles Charts.[1]
Renowned for his uplifting message and uptempo music, the artist has masterfully blended Reggae, Rock, and EDM into a dynamic fusion. Kēvens has pioneered a groundbreaking music genre, aptly named ReggaeEDM, drawing inspiration from the vibrant jungle beats of the 1990s. He has garnered global acclaim, with comprehensive features in prominent publications such as People[2], London's UFK,[3] The Source (USA),[4] DJ Mag (Spain),[5] The Jamaica Observer,[6] and Worldwide in YourEDM.[7]
Kēvens is an EDM pioneer, and according to Miami.com, Kēvens is "one of the first to blend a live band with electronic dance music" and name his particular style of fusion "an exceptionally unique sound."[8] In 2001, Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, also performing on the Zen Music Festival 2000 lineup, and was featured on the cover of MIXER magazine (the U.S. subsidiary of Mixmag)in 2001. Farrell is quoted, "…people have commented to me that the DJ Culture is drying up. I look at them and want to smack them. The only thing that it needs is to be infused with live players." Farrell identified groups developing as "live performers". He continued, "Kevins [sic] in Miami and Roni Size too. This is where the music is heading."
Kēvens has guested with Tom Holkenborg, aka Junkie XL, a Grammy-nominated multi-platinum producer renowned for his extensive film scoring credits. Most recently, the 2021 Zack Snyder's Justice League (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack),[9] who in 2006, Kēvens toured with in Japan.
In November of 2024, Kēvens released his send LP entitled, Call To Balance, "threading together, the genres of reggae and EDM on his latest singles, “Sweet Lady Liberty” and “This Is LOVE""[12]. The album has been embraced by the international community with Spain's OCIMAG calling it "one of the most powerful releases of the year within the scene that embraces - equally - electronic music and ancestral roots."[13]
History
Kēvens started in the music business in Miami as a DJ and MC. He was part of the Miami-based group Le Coup founded by Bob Marley's half brothers Richard and Anthony Booker. Kēvens said of this early period of his career,
I had the privilege of meeting influential people in the industry, one of them being Bob Marley's mother (Cedella Marley Booker) who told me that when you are writing a song, write it like you are writing a letter, with emotions and feelings. Ever since then I pray for guidance, then apply Mrs. Booker's advice.[11]
Le Coup disbanded in 1997 and Kēvens continued a relationship with the Marley family occasionally performing with Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, and Julian Marley.
After his time with Le Coup ended, Kēvens moved his career towards genre-crossing explorations of rock, trip-hop, drum and bass and EDM, while maintaining his reggae foundation. He created a variety of live acts to be a feature at different festivals throughout the world.[14]
Kēvens has released one full studio album called, We Are One (in 2010)[15] and a variety of singles since 2000.
In 2018, he released the single, Sweet Lady Liberty of which FSHN Magazine said "Timing couldn't be more perfect for a new anthem that everyone can relate to and breaks down barriers in an era where hatred and divide seem more prominent than ever."[16]
I'm going to make sure whatever I sing or write is timeless
With the world facing multicultural and global challenges that transcend borders, [17] Kēvens' music takes on a greater mission: to unite a divided world through his art through the lens of the struggle of the human condition. [18] The music video for "Legal Dreamers" visually embodies the concepts of unity and the urgency to act for a better future. [19] Kēvens skillfully intertwines his personal experiences and the broader societal issues, urging listeners to contemplate the significance of migration and its impact on humanity. Through his compelling music and powerful message, Kēvens leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of those who listen, fostering a deeper understanding of the need for compassion and solidarity in our interconnected world. [20]
Live performances
Kēvens has emphasized his live performance throughout his career stating "What keeps me alive... is the show" [11] He was the first "live act" to play EDM's seminal Ultra Music Festival(UMF), and has performed at UMF in Miami 11 times, performing on the line up with such acts as Paul Oakenfold, Paul Van Dyk, and Moby.
In 2008, Kēvens headlined North America's largest Pow-wow the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 2012, a new two-day, multistage concert called the UR1 music festival was scheduled to be held in downtown Miami and coincide with Art Basel. Kēvens was scheduled to perform, bringing his unique brand of live-dubstep-reggae-rock to the main stage at UR1 to open for Kravitz and Jane's Addiction. [8]
In 2013, Kēvens, alongside the Jacksons and others, participated in the White Nights Festival, an annual summer festival, and one of the most popular in St. Petersburg, Russia. The festival was broadcast throughout Russia, and the Russian territories to an estimated audience of 50 million on Channel One Russia.[21]
In June 2018, he performed at the newer extension of the festival as part of the UMF worldwide expansion, Ultra Korea in Seoul, South Korea, and held at the 69,950 seats Seoul Olympic Stadium. This show was significant as Kēvens had the pleasure of performing for a show with 180,000 guests in Seoul, and with performances by 103 artists. Artists included Axwell & Ingrosso, Zhu, Above & Beyond, Steve Angello, and culminated with The Chainsmokers on the main stage as the closing act.
On the Live Stage known Korean artists, Drunken Tiger, Bizzy, and Yoon Mi-rae performed, and female, South Korean rapper and singer-songwriter, CL. During the show, Kēvens was fortunate to share the stage with American Rap legend Ice Cube the headliner on the Live Stage. [22]
Ideology
An ideological foundation plays a strong role in Kēvens' artistic presentation. He explains his perspective:
"Each and everyone of us is attending to the great university of life which will yield our distinctive experiences through time. May we come to the realization, love is the glue that holds all together. Let's forget about power and judgment."
Through his music, he "works to spread a message of peace and brotherhood that transcends all cultures".[10] In an interview with the Sunday News in Zimbabwe, he declares "I don't talk about religion, age and nationality because that is meant to separate and divide us."[23] In another interview, with MIA Magazine, he states "Reggae to me is the sound of truth".[10] He has become synonymous with the mantra "Positivity is a Necessity". Although "his elaborate stage costumes and theatrical concerts are pure 21st-century, his goal is timeless: to bring all races, cultures, and backgrounds together."
With a strong connection to his spirituality, Kēvens is also in tune with the worlds' instability, whether political, economic, environmental, or social. During a trip to Hawaii before the COVID-19 pandemic, he found inspiration from the volcanic eruptions. He composed an environmentalist theme song, "World Is Burning," an oratorical message about Mother Nature, and the impacts of climate change. The message he seeks to impart to viewers is to understand that we still have time to change course and secure a more sustainable and livable future.[24]
As a long-time Florida resident, Kēvens has witnessed the environmental devastation left from hurricanes and extreme weather incidents, and how they amplify socio-economic imbalances. Drawing inspiration from tragedy, his compositions such as "Battle for Peace",[citation needed] focus on such themes as gun violence and racism, whether learning of the students of Parkland who were affected by the impacts from school shootings and more recently Breonna Taylor and others. He strives to create songs that, despite their serious lyrical content, act as sources of light and hope. Additional areas he is passionate about include advocacy for those who have no voice.[citation needed]
Discography
Singles
We Play Music - Felli & Buddy vs Bassbin Twins featuring MC Kēvens. (2000).
