The styles of reggae and EDM have usually have two intrinsic characteristics in common: they make people feel good and they make people dance. But fusing the two of them is a lofty goal to some and perhaps downright foolish to others. Nobody however has met the likes of Miami, Florida based vocalist Kēvens who has managed to thread both genres together for surprisingly spectacular results. Now, Kēvens is set to show that his love of the genres is possibly surpassed only by his love of the United States and the human race with the double A-side single releases “Sweet Lady Liberty” and “This Is LOVE.”
Both songs speak to the universality of equality, peace, harmony, justice, and love. First off, “Sweet Lady Liberty” evokes images of Ellis Island, where newcomers immigrating to the United States would see the Statue of Liberty and realize they were arriving to a place brimming with hope and opportunities, a chance their country of birth couldn’t afford. Kēvens says “Sweet Lady Liberty” is an ode to the American Dream and how it is available for all entering her realm.
“‘Sweet Lady Liberty’ focuses on the Love we all feel for the ‘idea’ of a country designed around the oft-repeated concepts of Liberty, of Equality, and of a Dream that each man, woman and child can embrace and strive for,” Kēvens says. “In a climate where many Americans find themselves suffering the effects of straying from those concepts, ‘Sweet Lady Liberty’ reminds us that we all play a part in keeping that Dream alive.”
Musically, the song has a mournful but uplifting vibe thanks to the musician’s passionate delivery set against subtle strings and piano. “Sweet Lady Liberty” is also highlighted by some fantastic backing vocalists whose harmonies give it an almost hymnal one. While speaking of equal rights and every creed and color accepted to United States, Kēvens cites the Constitution and how the current political situation is causing divisiveness, threatening the country’s very essence. It’s a song Wyclef Jean and Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) would be envious of in terms of its depth and arrangement.
Equally enticing is “This Is LOVE,” which is a lovely, reggae trip that soothes the ears and the soul. The warm, breezy arrangement are offset with lyrics that speak to heartache and how putting the pieces of a shattered heart back together makes the person and the heart stronger. “When you realize all the broken hearts you’ve suffered from have actually paved the way to the person you’re with at present,” Kēvens says of “This Is LOVE.” “Celebrate pain and persevere.”
Both “Sweet Lady Liberty” and “This Is LOVE” are from Kēvens latest studio album Call To Balance. It’s the latest effort in what has been an incredible career for the musician whose credo is “positivity is a necessity.” From his beginnings in various South Florida clubs spinning records to his time in progressive reggae band Le Coup with Richard and Anthony Booker. Kēvens heeded the advice of Cedella Marley Booker when she told the impressionable artist the following: “Like a letter, you must write a song with purpose.”
By fusing reggae and Electronic Dance Music (EDM), Kēvens has used music to promote themes of positivity, enlightenment, artistic expression, and multiculturalism. It’s also this feel good, “glass is half full” mindset that has brought working alongside a who’s who of dance music and pop music in general: from Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler, rapper Ice Cube, and rock icons Duran Duran to legends such as Daft Punk, Carlos Santana and Paul Oakenfold. He has also worked with The Jacksons.
Now with the double A-side singles “Sweet Lady Liberty” and “This Is LOVE,” Kēvens is bringing more hopefulness, positive energy, harmony and love to the world at large. And it’s hard not to love both of these new efforts.
