"From Florida Keys to Russia: My Unforgettable Journey Performing After the Jacksons”

In 2013, I lived a dream, performing my reggae EDM / live DnB set after the Jacksons at the Ice Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It still feels unreal.

The previous night was the lowest point of my career. Let me take you back. Years earlier, at the Celebration of The Sea Music Festival in the Florida Keys, I opened for Steven Tyler. After crushing the set, I entered the VIP tent to a surprise standing ovation. There, I met Elena, a Russian booking agent who worked with stars like Julio Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez. She asked in a thick accent, "Who are you? Why haven’t I heard of you?" I replied, "I’m Kēvens, and I haven’t heard of you either." We shared a laugh. I mentioned my Russian friends in Miami who urged me to perform in Russia, saying maybe the right agent would come along.

She asked if I had an album. I said no, and she told me to contact her when I did. In 2011, I was set to open for the UR1 music festival featuring Lenny Kravitz, Kanye West, and Lou Reed. Elena called, saying her Russian team was in town and wanted to see the show. I secured all-access tickets for them, but the event fell through.

Fast forward to 2013, I go the call. “Kēvens, this is Elena, are you ready for Russia?” Of course I replied, she sent me a performance contract for the "White Nights of Saint Petersburg event", I nervously sent it to my lawyer. I am about to be associated with the biggest show I have ever been a part of.

My lawyer, reviewing the contract, asked if I knew who she was. I said I’d met her once and liked her vibe. My lawyer told me she was a top-tier music agent and insisted I take the gig.

I signed the contract, and soon my visa was processed and approved. Arriving at the arena felt otherworldly, with security tighter than anything I’d seen. The first night was a disaster. My in-ear monitor failed, and my performance suffered. I pushed through, but the MC had to apologize to me and the audience. It was a televised event on Russia’s TV1, the main channel, reaching about 50 million viewers across Russia and the Russian Federation. The weight of that failure hit hard, all the way to the soul.

At my hotel that night, I prayed, reflected, and realized the technical glitch wasn’t my fault. After a long meditation and speaking with my Queen back here at home, I let go of the anxiety. The next night, I was ready to redeem myself, carrying the flag for reggae EDM. Thirty minutes before my set, the stage manager said, "Kēvens, you’re now going on after the Jacksons." I thought it was a tribute act until I bumped into Tito Jackson backstage. I apologized, and he calmly said it was fine. Behind him stood his brothers, minus Michael.

Still in shock, I thanked them for inspiring me, having watched them as a kid. They were music itself I said. As they performed, I stood in Tito’s spot, gripping the same railing, wondering what went through their minds before a show. A quiet focus settled over me, and I connected with the music’s joy. A feeling I carry to this day.

My band looked at me, nervous. "We’re following the Jacksons!. How do we do this?" I said, "We do what I came here for.

We rock."

See the video https://youtu.be/eBN2zYfv4_I?si=du5bRgx1S1tO2dNAand do listen to the MC's question.