Kevin Lyttle

Kevin was first inspired by music as a 7-year-old, sitting on his mother's shoulders watching local Calypsonians competing for the title of Road March King in the yearly St. Vincent Carnival. At the same time, he cites the North American awards shows and televised performances-- Michael Jackson's moonwalk and "Billie Jean" in particular--that transfixed an entire generation of R&B and rap artists. "I've been influenced by all genres of music," says Lyttle. "I have a love for every form of art."

From his primary school days, young Kevin was encouraged by his mother and uncle in voice, dance, and acting. His pursuit of international success, he says, is a means of giving honor to the lifelong sacrifices of his mother, Janice, who raised him with modest means in St. Vincent. Lyttle wrote his first original song at 14, and participated in song competitions and cultural exchange programs, representing St. Vincent throughout the Caribbean.
While working a variety of day jobs, Lyttle cut his first professional record without success. Nonetheless, encouraged by his workmates, in 2001 he brought two songs to local producer Adrian Bailey, one of which was "Turn Me On." The session itself was deceptively easy. "I was done in two takes, less than an hour," says Kevin. "No one had heard me sing in this range; on St. Vincent, some people thought it was <a href="artistDetail.jsp?aid=291">Beres Hammond</a> doing soca. That was really flattering."

Kevin's self-titled Atlantic debut album is as much an eye-opener as the innovative "Turn Me On," with production by a diverse slate of top names from the fields of dancehall, hip-hop, and soca--including Salaam Remi ( Nas, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=349">Ini Kamoze</a>, Fugees ), who also oversaw the whole project with Atlantic's Craig Kallman and Kevin's manager Allison Hunte. Enlisted for the production crew were the likes of Cherry Ince, Scott Storch, Troyton Rami, Troy Taylor, Andreas S. Jensen, Da Bhann, Anastas "Nas/T" Hackett, Jeremy Harding, and "Turn Me On" producer Adrian Bailey. Kevin co-wrote nearly all the songs on the album, which includes special guest appearances by <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=411">Spragga Benz</a> and <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=384">Assassin</a>.
While acknowledging his dream of international success, Kevin describes his true gift as "the ability to pass along an emotion. What we hear in music connects to both the heart and the mind, conscious and sub-conscious. People have said that they met or got to know each other while 'Turn Me On' was playing. It touches my heart that the song is causing people to connect in a loving way. It's all about love."

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