Young DJ on the Rise
T
X-Factor by Dervin Osbourne
here has been a greater demand for disc jocks with the increased number of parties and events locally. The career has clearly become quite lucrative and we need not mention the enjoyment one gets from doing this job. This week, Teen Spirit features a young DJ currently making his mark on the social scene. Rushane Bahadosingh, who goes by the name ‘X-Factor’ when he’s on the turntables, is a 17-year-old Kingstonian who was captivated by music and its wide variety at a young age. He got into mixing the old-fashioned way, messing around with Virtual DJ, and started showcasing his newfound skills to his friends at school. In order to gain a better grasp of the skill, ‘X’, as he is also called, began mimicking the styles of more advanced DJs. He eventually set aside the “normal” after-school activities like football to focus on music. X is a confident individual, which has made him favourable to many. His ambitious and positive attitude worked as he soon, with the help of friends and other DJs, retired the old Virtual DJ and upgraded to professional equipment, which of course improved his DJ resumé. While playing at school events was pretty impressive, he never expected to, at age 16, be booked to play at a public party. He wowed patrons at LAX in 2010 with his mixtape and has since played among elites like ZJ Chrome and Green Synergy contestant DJ Shine at Puma Reaction last December and has made appearances at a number of college and small events. X now attends the University of Technology, majoring in Communication Arts and Technology. With his surprising growth and amazing skill, it is clear that X-Factor is on his way to musical success.
TS: Is it harder to get a job because of your age? XF: Generally, at the end of the day, it’s not about age; it’s what you’re capable of doing. But age becomes a problem when persons refuse to listen to what I have to offer once they hear my age. It’s challenging when it comes to getting exposure, but once I get the chance to prove myself, it’s not that bad.
TS: What are your favourite genres of music? XF: I listen to mostly hip hop music, artistes like Wiz Khalifa www.ezineslimited.com
and Tyga, just to name a few; dancehall music of course, and when I’m tired of listening to the same genres over and over, I’ll listen a little alternative, techno and sometimes soca.
TS: What are your views on the current state of dancehall music? XF: To me, dancehall music these days is more about contro-
versy, but where the quality of the music is concerned, I think it has improved significantly because there are more “radio friendly” songs being produced, which I think will give dancehall music a much better image.
TS: What do you do for fun? XF: It’s more work than fun for me though, but when I’m not working, I party and when I’m home, I’ll just sit back and watch a lot of reality TV and organise music in Serato. Yes, everything is related to music for me.
TS: What are your plans in relation to this career? XF: I plan on finishing school and becoming involved in the
media broadcasting field and hopefully applying for a job on a local radio station in the future.
TS: Why did you choose to enter this business? XF: I have many positive influences around me which includes friends and family members and they encourage me to pursue what I want to do. Music is also one of my top priorities now, so I guess this is the path I feel comfortable heading towards.
teen spirit eZine
Young Moguls bring
Fresh Gear to Jamaica by Ava Gardner
B
ig things usually happen when enthusiastic and ambitious young men band together. Such is the case for 18-year-old Stephen Reid, 17-year-old Sheldon Whyte and 19-year-old Norman Ho, who form Young Moguls. Through their business, they not only sell apparel and electronics and grow their own company, but have also used their success to help and support other ambitious young people’s enterprises. Teen Spirit caught up with Stephen and Sheldon to discuss their operations.
TS: When and for what purpose was Young Moguls established? SR: The idea was conceptualized in January 2010 but the business officially began August 31, 2010. SW: It was initially established to find an easier way to get
international brands to Jamaica to meet the needs of consumers and, over time, it became another aim of the business to market new local brands.
TS: How do you manage the business with the various products being offered and an overseas partner? SR: Management has been pretty smooth because of
the technologies, Blackberry and Skype, which have enabled us to easily contact our other partner, Norman, for consultation, decision-making and product management. Working with Sheldon while attending different schools has posed challenges. However, balancing academics and co-management has taken place without much difficulty.
TS: Why did YM decide to assist other businesses? SW: As young people, we saw the need to develop other
young people. Not only was it more beneficial to work together than to be competitive, but it was conducive with the business’ long-term aim to sell local brands internationally.
TS: How does YM assist other businesses? SR: Apart from helping local brands and trying to expose
products and parties. Once a young person is active and working hard, trying to make a positive change with their particular venture, YM will not hesitate to financially support them or otherwise help them.
TS: What is required of small businesses to work with YM? SR: There’s a process that businesses have to undergo in
order to work with YM. First, businesses should either be registered or provide YM with a business plan and a structured template outlining all that they want to achieve. In the next step, YM will evaluate the plans to see if assistance is viable, whether it’ll be funding or products. Once everything is in place and an agreement is made, everything is good from there.
TS: How was the recent YM fashion show held at Andrew’s High School for Girls’ Opening Day? SW: It was a success! Along with a lot of support, there was a very large turnout from the girls at school as well students from others. The majority of the brands we distribute, namely, Endz, Forever 21, Hollister and Volare Forever were all modeled.
them internationally, provides assistance to other businesses’
www.ezineslimited.com
teen spirit eZine
Young Moguls bring
Fresh Gear to Jamaica TS: Are there any other upcoming YM ventures or events? SW: There’s soon to be a charity event to be held in partnership with Jamaica Christian Boys’ Home on Oxford Road. SR: Also, the official launch of the business, which is projected to be held in August.
TS: What plans do you have personally for your futures? SR: Apart from YM, my future plan is to be a Chartered
Accountant once I finish my studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI), and probably open other ventures such as a bar or jazz club. Three to four years from now we’d also like to distribute to the wider Caribbean market. In the near future, my plan is to start my Entrepreneurship degree at the University of Technology (UTech) and eventually branch off into Law and become a Commercial Lawyer as well as open other small ventures.
SW:
TS: Who inspires you? SW: Butch Stewart. SR: Michael Lee-Chin. TS: What advice can you give to other young people seeking to start their own businesses? SW: First of all, just go out there and try out your idea.
You’ll never know until you try. The way things are set up, you can easily be successful or easily unsuccessful. I advise that you put your best into what you do. Make attempts to see what works out. When you’re young, you’ll make mistakes and from these mistakes, you’ll learn and they’ll help you as you grow older. First, study the market - if you have a passion for something, study first and see what changes need to be implemented. Find people that share your passion, pool your ideas and give it a shot!
SR:
www.ezineslimited.com
teen spirit eZine
Our Everyday Style
A
Coral’s Closet by Ava Gardner
ll teens are different and as such, they express themselves differently. One method of this selfexpression is through attire. Sherraine Phillips, an 18-year-old Campion College student with great ambition to become a Fashion Editor one day, begins her journey today with her blog, Coral’s Closet.
TS: What do you like about clothing? SP: Clothing makes you look good in a sense. Be-
ing well-attired allows you to be more confident. It also makes you feel better about yourself and it’s a nice way to express yourself.
TS: What inspires your style? SP: Basically online influences. I’m really into blogging and exploring different mediums of fashion.
TS: What made you start your own fashion blog? SP: I always went on hundreds of blogs, so I just decided to start my own last year.
TS: What’s your favourite article of clothing? SP: Blazers. TS: What’s your favourite current trend and what is the worst? SP: Colourblocking is my favourite. It’s not something
that used to be done and now it’s very popular. On the other hand, I used to hate coloured pants a lot but, I kind of like them now. I don’t really have a worst trend.
TS: What are your favourite stores to shop at? SP: In Jamaica, Collectibles. It’s really good. TS: What clothing advice do you have for teens? SP: Just be yourself. Be comfortable. Try to do some-
thing different with your outfits. Try to do something ‘off ’. View Sherraine’s blog here: http://hercoralcloset.com/blog/
www.ezineslimited.com
teen spirit eZine
The Life and Times
of a High School Senior by Lenroc
‘The Introduction’
M
y phone goes off at 5:25 a.m. The familiar alarm serves to wake me up, a rather irritating reminder that I have to be at school by the end of the next two hours. I’m still tired, so I click the “Snooze” button as I have been doing for the past couple of weeks. Granted, I’m more than aware than clicking that button doesn’t change the inevitable reality that I will have to get up, but I would like to think that the five or 10 minutes I can squeeze in before my mother barges in will do me some good. She barges in at 5:30 a.m. Great. Of late, she doesn’t even have to tell me to get up anymore. The light that peeks into my room is enough to indicate that my time is up. She leaves the door open, as she has been doing every day since we started this rather odd routine. I reflect for a moment on the old days when she had to pull me by the feet to get out of the bed, oftentimes resorting to stripping the bed of the sheets, leaving me both cold and cross. I curse the necessity of high school and I drag myself out of bed, heading to the shower to rinse the tiredness out of my eyes. As I stand under the shower head, I do a mental checklist to see whether or not I’ve missed out on any homework that’s due today. Everything seems to check out, and even if it doesn’t, it’s too late to do anything about it. It occurs to me that I’m spending too much time with the water running. I’m annoyed by the fact that the water is so cold, even more annoyed by the fact that the stupid water heater isn’t working. In the moment, I acknowledge the fact that I’m being a little bit more than petty, but I’m cold and annoyed and as such, refuse to engage in a moral battle over what’s wrong and what’s right. I get dressed, have breakfast and leave. On the way to school, I have to endure the musical tastes (or lack thereof ) of the big shots in the front of the bus. Honestly, it’s not even 7:00 a.m. yet and already I’ve heard like three of four newscasts. I don’t know what the deal is, but I highly doubt that much will change within the space of five minute intervals. More than the endless newscasts, however, what bothers me is the silence that exists outside of the reporters on air. Maybe I’m expecting too much. Maybe I’m watching too many sitcoms, but I would have hoped
www.ezineslimited.com
that there would be some familial conversation at some point in all of this. But no. There’s just the radio, the sound of traffic and the slow and painful death of my expectations for something better. An hour or so later, I stand outside the walls that encompass what has become my home away from home over the last few years. Obviously by now, my expectations – and by extension my enthusiasm – about what the high school experience has to offer have been thrown out the window. So I take a deep breath, a long stride and brace myself for the day ahead. And so it begins…
teen spirit eZine
International Swagg Entertainment:
Redefining Event Promotions by Justine Powell
D
avid Williams, founder and CEO of International Swagg Entertainment, along with two group members, Duwaine ‘Unique’ Dawkins and Domonnie ‘Mauny British’ Francis, stopped by the Teen Spirit office and told us a little about their team, which also includes Markeno ‘Chiwi’ Duncan, Rushane ‘Kalm Kid’ Palmer, Dwayne ‘Young Dinero’ Simmonds and Rayon ‘Aayon’ Black. The seven-member team got together after David’s birthday party in November 2009, which received remarkable feedback, persuading them to start a business. International Swagg Entertainment provides events endorsement, photography and event reviews.
The youngsters are influenced and motivated by their parents and friends, who they consider their support system. It’s not all about the money for them as they do not always charge for their services, especially when working with friends. They sometimes receive other incentives such as free event tickets, t-shirts and introductions to new persons in return. They have all been friends since their early school days, so they have a closely-knit bond. The large size of the group also allows them to have a representative at as many events as possible. Internationals Swagg Entertainment wants teenagers to know that as youngsters, we can come together and work as a team while still having fun and networking with people. Success is possible for anyone and we should just do the best we can.
Some of the young men are still in school and even though they are not able to see each other in the week, they network through Facebook. Currently, they are promoting Timeout and Secret Fantasies, two parties scheduled for later this month. In addition to promoting, the group puts on its own events, such as Summer Splash and Summer Spotlight. Purple Touch and Fabulous Fridays were two other successful parties put on by International Swagg Entertainment.
www.ezineslimited.com
teen spirit eZine
behind the
Scenes
www.ezineslimited.com
teen spirit eZine
Š 2011 eZines Limited. All Rights Reserved