Tarakon Records signs local rap artiste ‘Prez’

Akene ‘Prez’ Keizer thought his dream of becoming an international rap superstar would never materialize.

However, on Tuesday, Keizer became one step closer to achieving his dream when he signed to record label Tarakon Records.

Tarakon Records is an independent record label, owned by multi-platinum Vincentian recording artiste Kevin Lyttle and his wife Dr Jacqueline James-Lyttle.

At the signing, Keizer fought back tears and thanked Tarakon Records for making his dream come true and for giving him the opportunity to showcase Vincentian hip-hop.

“I wrote my first rap when I was 12 years old and I always dreamed about being able to do music on a large scale,” he said.

He stated that a few years ago he released a mix tape called ‘Dreams Come True,” however, he never foresaw this opportunity.

“In fact, for a while I doubted it could happen,” Keizer said.

He said now he has signed on to the label “the music really and truly is about to get better.”

Keizer thanked Kevin Lyttle and his team and noted that with their support and the label’s support he knows they will achieve great things.

Also speaking at Tuesday’s singing, chief executive officer (CEO) of Tarakon Records Dr Jacqueline James–Lyttle said that that the label has been watching Keizer for some time now.

“He has tremendous talent that needs to be cultivated outside of a local environment and we believe that Tarakon records can do that, she noted.”

The Tarakon CEO said that she believes that Keizer’s island flavour and genre of music wouldn’t grow here; however, they can take it to other parts of the world.

She noted that they started Tarakon Records in 2007, when Kevin parted ways with Atlantic Records.

James-Lyttle added that in 2013, when they had Kevin’s career where they wanted it, they decided to expand and bring a few artistes on for development. One of the first persons to sign to the label was Vincentian soca star Reon ‘Maddzart’ Primus.

“Tarakon Records has grown tremendously. We now have 12 artistes most of whom we are developing and some who we are having put out their first set of music this year,” James-Lyttle explained.

Tarakon Records recently signed a partnership with Sony Ultra which, according to James-Lyttle, makes the reach of Tarakon as great as the reach of Sony Ultra.

Tuesday’s signing was described as a ‘big deal for the Caribbean’ by Kevin Lyttle.

“This is not just about St Vincent, it’s about the way that the business of music is evolving in the way that we conduct it in the Caribbean,” he stated.

Lyttle said that they are also very excited for the different successes which they are about to have this year.

He stated that he wants this to be an example for all young artistes, not only in St Vincent, but the Caribbean to aspire for the best in their music or whichever art form they are involved in.