August 21st 2010
The Story of Young Mecca vs Keen Cotter
By Kendell “Scady” Eugene

I knew it wouldn’t be long before he made it on the front of our magazine. This time it’s not just him. Find out more about St. Lucia’s Prince of Rap and Hip Hop. The genre may not be “respected” much on the island but Young Mecca and Keen Cotter isn’t letting that stop them at all.

We're back again, what has Young Mecca been up to since his last cover appearance?

Hmmm....my last cover appearance was May 2009. That was only a few weeks before the release of my first music video for that year called "Hello (What It Do)". I spent a few months promoting that and then filmed the second one - "Never Enough" in August. Then I went on to be crowned Youthstar 2009 in December after winning the Youthfest competition. I started off 2010 with the release of the single "Are You Ok," the continuation piece to "Never Enough," and then moved on to Bermuda to attend the 6th Annual Undaground Music Awards where I received the People's Choice Award. So between May last year and now I've been working basically, making music and promoting as best I could.

During the carnival season we heard nothing from Young Mecca, were you just taking in the festivities or you working?

If I said I was taking in the festivities I would be lying. I was in studio most of the time working on new material and killer collaborations with artistes from different genres including Soca. It hasn’t even been a month after carnival and I have already released two tracks. One with southern artistes Twizzy and Shepp Dawg and the other with Emrand Henry. Also, during the season it was the time the nominees for the awards were announced so I was pretty much caught up due to the fact that I had to prepare to head over there, not only to be apart of the whole weekend of activities but also to perform. I did take in the last two days of the festival though.

You were nominated and won an award in Bermuda. Tell us about that.

Yuup!!! The Undaground Music Awards - an award show for unsigned or underground artistes from across the globe. I was nominated for 5 awards and won the People's Choice Award. So that's a blessing. I thank all the fans, supporters, well wishers and sponsors who came through for me to make this all possible. I am forever grateful.

How does that make you feel that you are recognized outside of your own island?

It's encouraging. It's always a good thing when your hard work pays off in some way or another. Being in Bermuda did expose me to a lot and now I must make the best of the experience. The best thing out of all this though is that whatever occured in Bermuda stretched beyond its shores. I can't really say much now but you will be the first to know when everything comes together.

Rating the Hip Hop game in St. Lucia, what is the scale you would put it on and why?

There are a lot of Hip Hop artistes down here and many of them are pretty good lyrically. The thing that I have noticed though is that they treat it like a pass time so they don't really put in the necessary work to move on beyond where or what they are right now. One can have all the talent in the world but without that hunger for success or a mean work ethic then that talent is pointless. So really there isn't a scale I can use to measure since the entire music industry over here is still waiting to be born.

What can be done in St. Lucia to allow Hip Hop to grow?

Artistes have to take it more seriously. They have to put themselves in their music and not try to be someone else, package themselves properly and then put their best foot forward. Everything else will follow.

Do you think it is hard for a Caribbean artiste to crossover to main stream?

Yeah it's hard as in everything else but it's not impossible. So there is hope for anyone who is not afraid to cross boundaries and I strongly believe that. If it doesn't happen for me it will happen for someone else. We just simply musn't give up.

You normally have your name as Young Mecca vs Keen Cotter, describe the two.

That's like a personal battle within myself. Keen Cotter is the normal average guy with the craziest thoughts and will say the strangest things. His thinking is very unconventional. He is the hustler character while Mecca is the alter ego. Usually the alter ego is the bad one but Mecca is the good guy. He is the artiste who is supposed to be politically correct in everything he says and does. So Keen Cotter would feel one way on a matter and Mecca would feel totally opposite. It's kinda bipolar isn't it? Lol.... If someone entered my mind right now they would be surprised at what they find.

How can Keen Cotter help Young Mecca with his music?

Basically by allowing both of them input in the creation process. Mecca wants to make music and Keen wants to be the music. I just have to find the balancing point between them. On tracks like "Are You Ok" and "Take Me Away" with Emrand Henry it is evident that both characters are present if anyone pays attention to the lyrics. Some split personality type stuff.

How do you separate the two from your music?

I don't want to separate the two and I try not to. I think it's the difference I need. It's what's gonna make me stand out. Plus my music will be more real.

Is it difficult living with two different characters?

Lol. Not to the point where it’s bothersome but I do feel like I'm tripping at times and those who know me close say that too. There's a thin line between genius and insanity right? So I don't mind. It makes me who I am presently.

Where would you like to take the art form?

As far as I can take it. If someone had to travel the universe rapping to stars and comets with the island on their back I would volunteer. That's just to show you where my head is at right now. I believe we are not bound by strings to conform to norms and past events. We can do whatever we want as long as it’s done properly and at the right time. It’s really all spiritual. We just have to dig deep within our souls and look pass the known into the unknown and we may surprise ourselves at what we can accomplish. Something only seems impossible because it hasn't been done yet.

What are three things Young Mecca won’t be caught dead without?

My two phones and business cards.

What are the three things Keen won’t be caught dead without?

My two phones and a backpack.

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