Dodds pursues his music passion

Kevin Dodds exudes positivity and is transferring his zest for life to the soca industry. Dodds is making his mark, working alongside artistes like 5Star Akil and Preedy.

“I am passionate about music on the whole. It does not feel like work at all and I am pursuing it so that I can establish myself in TT’s music industry,” Dodds said.

He was determined to succeed despite growing up in a single-parent home with his mother, Ruth, older brother Curtly and younger sister, Ayanna. “My father is alive, but he lives in Sangre Grande.”

The former national football player switched his career goals to pursue his passion for music.

The 23-year-old attended San Juan South Secondary School for three years then transferred to San Juan North Secondary as he pursued football in his home town. He wrote A-Levels exam there.

“Basically I was pursuing football as a career because I was on the National Under-17, under- 20 and National Under-23 teams respectively. I love football,” Dodds said laughing.

But he also harboured a love for music.

“I also liked music. I was waiting on the proper avenue and in San Juan North Secondary School, I got the opportunity to take part in a calypso/soca competition which I won. From then I knew I could make this a career.”

When he met Robert “Simply Natural” Baptiste, who produced Iwer George’s 2014 hit Mama Oh, he spoke with him about creating a song. The duo met the following week and did his first release, Road Jumbie. That began Dodds’ career as an artiste in 2015.

Since then he has expanded his discography, having done a chutney-soca in 2016 with Shirvana, on the track Chulsie. His most popular songs to date are Every Gyal Wine on the Gyal Engine Riddim and his 2017 collaboration with 5Star Akil, Doh Blame It.

“I have also had the opportunity to work with Preedy on writing a song named Carnival Love, this being my fourth year being involved in the local soca industry.”

He has performed at numerous events including Firehouse 2017 J’Ouvert band launch, PreVibes Gala and TT Cancer Society’s Poor Man’s Dinner. He also had gigs at Tzar, Vas, Ari and Rossco’s Lounge.

Dodds also works with the Ministry of Public Administration and Communications.

“Although I am new to the industry I like to entertain people, that’s the main reason I am an artiste. I want to try many more genres of music once I can bring joy to people.”

He believes that his biggest accomplishment apart from being on TT’s national football teams and completing secondary school is the recent birth of his son, King Dodds. “I am enthusiastic and still overwhelmed as I was present in the room when he was born. My aim is to make sure he has everything he needs and deserves with a bright future ahead.”

The road has not always been an easy one for Dodds. The initial stages of building his brand proved to be quite difficult. Finding an avenue for his music to reach the public was daunting but he has been able to overcome with the support of his dedicated team and family members.

For Carnival 2018 he says, “I will be showcasing a new Kevin Dodds in terms of branding and business. Be prepared to see me in a bigger and better way professionally. I have a new track, Doh Leave Meh, which was recently released. It has already gained over 3,000 views on YouTube with fans raving about the song’s infectious beat.”