K-Anthony: Weaving Melodies of Faith from Jamaica to Canada

From Falmouth, Jamaica to the chilly Saskatchewan, Canada, gospel singer K-Anthony has woven a tapestry of melodies and faith that both comforts and challenges the soul.  K-Anthony unravels the story behind his stage name, born out of an uncanny clash with another artist. His journey moves from a youth with sports on the brain to a musician with a divine calling, spurred by an incident that nearly claimed his life. The intimate bond with his brother, the wisdom of a nurturing family, and a pivotal push from his mother to fuse academics and melody at Northern Caribbean University are all threads in the rich fabric of his life's narrative.

Our candid conversation dives into the transformative power of Christianity and gospel music, akin to sharing the best-kept secret of a jerk chicken haven, and traces K-Anthony's bold leap from tropical Jamaica to the stark landscapes of Canada. Embrace the laughter and trials that come with cultural adjustments, and share in the joy of his musical milestones, including the triumphs of his album "Arrow" for which he won the 2024 Juno Award for Gospel Album of the Year. K-Anthony's tale is not just one of success and spirituality; it is also an anthem for anyone who has ever dared to dream—and then dared to do.

Transcript

Mikelah : 0:04

Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of the Style and Vibes podcast with yours truly. If you are new here, welcome to the family. If you are returning, welcome back family. Today we have a special guest. I know I say that all my guests are special. All my guests are special. Okay, they are because they are here with us and that's how I see it, you know. But it's our first gospel artist. We have not had any gospel artists on the podcast and we focus on everything Caribbean. So, thank you, welcome to the family. K Anthony.

K-Anthony: 0:37

Thank you, thank you, thank you for having me.

Mikelah : 0:39

Is that your real name, k Anthony, or is it an initial and a middle name?

K-Anthony: 0:44

You know Jamaican people still have about three names, so tell us the the back story behind the name so interestingly, um, the back story behind this the name is the fact that my original name is Kevin Anthony Fowler and so when I started doing music I used to go by my name, kevin Fowler. But uh, sometime after an artist who's a country singer reached out to me and said hey, how are you? Said I'm good. He said I think we have a little issue. Said I actually registered the name. We share the name, but he registered it as his artist name and he's big. So I said okay, no problem, that means I'll have to change it. And I was thinking what I was gonna call myself or um, have as a artist name, and the idea came to use my first initial from kevin and then use my middle name. So I put it k hyphen anthony, k anthony. That's how we came about. My producer at the time said I like it it has a nice ring to it.

Mikelah : 1:52

Yeah, so you ran into legal troubles, changed it and now you like it all over again. All right, sounds good, sounds good, sounds good. So you grew up in Fomal Jamaica. Please tell me about your upbringing and what was it like for you growing up in Jamaica, and what was it like for you growing up in Jamaica?

K-Anthony: 2:05

So Jamaica is fun. As you know, I grew up close to the beach Pretty much. I lived only two places, in three places in Falmouth I lived on Cornwall Street and then on Pitt Street, which is behind the parish church. For most persons who are familiar with Jamaica, it was fun. I only have a sibling. His name is David.

K-Anthony: 2:27

I attended Falmouth All Age, where I was known as a track and field athlete, where my races were 100 and 200 meters, and so that was where my foundation began.

K-Anthony: 2:39

I attended Falmouth Seventh-day Adventist Church, got a scholarship to William Nibb, and my mom thought it would have been a bad idea to send me to William Nibb, so she sentenced me to a private school in Montego Bay called Harrison Memorial High School. At first it felt as if it was a sentence, and as I continued growing, I understood what she wanted me to do was not just focus on the abilities that I have, but more so to own my skills academically, and so that was one of the main reasons she sent me to Harrison, and it took me some time to settle. I was very rebellious towards that. It took me some time to settle down, but I did. And after finishing Harrison Memorial High School, I wanted to become an agronomist and she had contacted the institution but they weren't accepting at the time. So I think it was God who inspired her to say hey, have you ever thought of studying music? And she said at least study for a year. And I got enrolled into Northern Caribbean University but, as you asked, found small town.

Mikelah : 3:52

Um yeah, it was a wonderful experience so it's just you and your brother, and what was the age difference between you and your brother? Uh, we're three years apart, oh so fairly, so fairly close, so fairly close, very close. So tell me about in your transition to studying music. Why was your mom so inclined to have you study music? Is that something that you've always shown an interest in growing up?

K-Anthony: 4:22

When I was transitioning from here, they call it elementary was transitioning from elementary school to high school, and I think on the last few days at elementary school I decided to follow some friends to go swimming and I almost drowned. My brother was actually sitting on the shore watching me in this difficulty, and so a friend of mine in the class. Well, I prayed. I said God, if you should save me, I'll give you my heart. I tell people this was my first encounter with who God is, because before that I would more understand God from my mom's perspective and only experience God through my mom, through my parents. And I could only remember that. The pastor said if you have ever been in difficulty, you can call on God. And I did first time. And out of the blue, a friend came running telling me not to give up, and I held on to that and he saved me. But I never saw it as just him saving me, I saw it as god providing someone to save me. And, um, that was a big mark in my life. And so we had a discussion about track and field and and my mom said to me have you ever thought about that? God has another talent that you're just not aware of and I kid you not, it's within that same time frame, about to enter in high school, I found what I could sing because a friend was asked in church. He was a bit timid and so he asked for support and I did.

K-Anthony: 5:59

And that was where the process began with music I would practice every day. So she would have seen that, she would have seen me practicing every day. But the focus was not more so on pursuing it from an academic standpoint. But I was singing in a group at church, I was singing in a group in school and I was also the lead singer for the graduation choir. And so when she contacted the university and realized that I would have had to wait a year to be accepted into a tertiary institution, she didn't like that. So she for me I think it's God that's impressed her to say, hey, why not study music? And when she said it it was like a light went off in my head. I was like that't work, because I've always been passionate about it, and so I got enrolled in Northern Caribbean University where I studied music and I also did communication.

Mikelah : 6:53

So in studying music, did you take to one particular angle producing, writing, what, what was your, your thing as you were studying?

K-Anthony: 7:03

I was a voice major. Okay, um, and in being a voice major, you have to learn instruments and stuff like that.

Mikelah : 7:09

So, yeah, I was a voice major and so when you finished your schooling and you were thinking about career-wise how you wanted to to transition, was it always gospel? I think it's probably a question you probably only get as a gospel artist, but did you think about doing other genres, or was it always going to be gospel for you?

K-Anthony: 7:32

It wasn't always gospel. I started out doing R&B, I would say, and I had another encounter where I was held at gunpoint, and that was another turning point for me, in the sense that it caused me to say you know, god has a purpose for my life, and so I decided that I would just focus on using my gift to give him glory and to point people to him.

Mikelah : 8:00

Would you say that some of these major events kind of redirected you in a way?

K-Anthony: 8:08

I would say that it redirected me, because it's a little bit more focused and I have a clearer understanding of what God has done for me and what he wants to do through me.

Mikelah : 8:19

So tell me about recording your first song as a gospel artist.

K-Anthony: 8:28

As a gospel artist, because my first song wasn't a gospel song.

K-Anthony: 8:31

It's interesting. A friend of mine just said to me hey, I noticed you're always singing other people's song as a music major. Have you ever thought of writing your own songs? That same evening it sparked something in me where I wrote my very first song, which was a love song in writing. That it pushed me further to seek professional support and a professional studio. So I asked the older gentleman who was enrolled in the music program also that hey, hey, do you know of a studio? And he directed me to a studio in the Portmore area, kingston, portmore area and I just contacted my mom and said, hey, I want to get into the studio and start recording. And she supported that move and that's where it started. I was a long process.

K-Anthony: 9:22

I took a long time to get that one song recorded because I wasn't familiar with actually recording in the studio and I would say over time I became better.

Mikelah : 9:35

So, in terms of just music industry and music business, I'm sure you probably hear stories about, like, what happens in the industry and then perception wise people probably say, oh, it's gospel, it should be easy. What are some of the challenges that you experience? I think you touched on one about, you know, just being able to record in a studio, or. But what are some of the challenges that you have faced as an artist in the business of music, being a gospel artist, that sort of thing?

K-Anthony: 10:11

I've faced mismanagement before, so I'm very much familiar with that. For most gospel artists, I would think financing a project is generally one of the biggest things or biggest hurdles that they face. I think it's as competitive as secular genres. Secular genres If persons think you are talented and I'm speaking specifically to artists they probably won't be so quick to accept you. I can only speak from my experience and so, as a result of that, you will face some blockages along the way because of that. Especially if you're very independent and you decide to do things your way and not having to go to anyone, that can be difficult and yeah, so finances persons who probably who feel intimidated you can also become depressed. I have been depressed before because there's so much that you want to accomplish and possibly not being able to accomplish them. As you have set those goals, you possibly can also face writer's block. In a sense, I don't really face writer's block, but to some extent probably not getting to express how you'd want to express a song.

Mikelah : 11:38

Now do you work with other, like producers? Tell me about your writing process and recording process.

K-Anthony: 11:46

My writing process varies, so I could simply be here having a conversation with you and immediately I could hear a song in my head and I would write it. It could be that you're sharing something with me about something that you've experienced and I'm inspired by that. Or you could be someone that's not very close to me and I just observe you and I write based on what I've seen. Or, for me, I've written songs directly from the Bible where I could be reading a passage and something just jump out and I'll take something from that. Or the best songs that, for me personally, is the ones I've heard and I can hear them like someone is singing them in my head. The process varies. I work with producers from Africa. I work with producers in the US. The best process I've experienced is actually having the idea and teaming up with individuals.

K-Anthony: 12:44

I believe strongly in community. My voice is not the only voice that matters, and also I'm big on not being the loudest voice in the room, but always have someone who is more experienced, and I've done more than myself In doing that. It will help you to grow and allow you to come across like you're very much sharper at what you do, because both of you are working together and so the ideas that you throw out are able to be vetted properly and you can say eliminate things that throw out are able to be vetted properly. And you can say eliminate things that's possibly not supposed to be there and add things that would make it better. So the process varies. I tend to lean more. Before, when I was younger, it was more me me me wanting to write everything, but now, as I get much older, I more focus on community, working together with different producers, working together with different producers, working together with my friends who are a great support for myself and who I believe in in terms of their capabilities and writing with them to bring the work together.

Mikelah : 13:47

I'd love to hear your thoughts. I know we've seen so many artists come from the secular genre and either dabble in gospel music or they do a full transition. So you know, speaking of Jamaican artists, you have Lady Saw, you have Papa San, you have Carlene Davis and they're, you know, they've completely, you know, shifted in terms of their musical sound and, really coming from a completely different background, I kind of have this position around music can be positive and inspirational and we have so much reggae that is positive and even have quote and biblical lyrics, especially with the connection to Rastafarianism and the Bible. We hear that a lot. So I'm curious as to your thoughts on it's not the route that you took, but it is the route that others do take. So I'm curious as to your perspective on changing genres based on change in faith or position, of how you want to display your faith.

K-Anthony: 15:01

I think it's beautiful. It shows growth. I think we're all on a journey, and so we're not always going to be on the same place at the same time, and so you have made mentions of a few people who are familiar with their journey. It must be for me that there is something that they had, their experience, that is so different or that they didn't have, hence why they decide to make a step into the direction that they have taken.

K-Anthony: 15:31

Many religion has a belief system, but no savior, and so persons who have the understanding of Christianity will realize that there is a savior and also realize that they are in need of one, which will also help them to make that step. And in so taking that step, the ideologies has changed, obviously, and so the approach to what they do in life in general have to change, and so I would want to think that's the reason why they would have made those changes in how they bring about their message. Their life has shifted, until the message that they're going to bring is going to shift a bit. And I said to people why do Christian music or gospel music? It's the experience that I've had, had the historical references that I can make, um, the experience that I have. It's like having the best jerk chicken.

K-Anthony: 16:25

I hear go on, go on, go on okay if I've had the best jerk chicken, I'm gonna tell you about it and I'm gonna tell you about the spot. And so I think that they have an experience and have an encounter, and so they're saying, hey, I'm going to tell you about the best thing that I've ever had, and so that creates a shift in how they deliver and what they deliver about.

Mikelah : 16:50

I love that. That's a great analogy.

K-Anthony: 16:52

I like it, I like it, I like it.

Mikelah : 16:53

I like that. That's a great analogy. I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it. So we didn't get to talk about how you migrated to Canada because I want to get to the Juno Award. However, we got to go back and understand how did you get to Canada? What is your migration story?

K-Anthony: 17:11

You know, to be honest, me and my wife was dating for a while and we weren't engaged as yet. But she wanted to know where my mindset was as a young man. And she was like I'm filling out some paperwork Are you okay with me putting your name? And she was very straight in terms of we were dating for a while, so where do you see this going? And I understood where she was coming from. Would you want me to add your name to this? And I said, yeah, we got married sometime after. We were supposed to migrate to the United States first and that was a hold. And then the Canada thing came through and we migrated to Canada. Why I chose Saskatchewan, I have no idea say that again where, where in Canada?

K-Anthony: 18:08

Saskatchewan, it's far yeah that's far west. Why? Because she gave me the option now to choose.

K-Anthony: 18:16

I don't know, I looked and I this place look like it could work. My wife is a nurse practitioner, so that was the reason for moving and, um, I went from very warm to minus 46, minus 50. Um, but at first it was challenging, I must say I became very depressed because of the shifting climate, always overcast, long winters. But one day my perspective shifted and I see that what I was able to do just before I left Jamaica, I see the possibility of doing the same there. So I just started working, putting in more effort into recording, doing a lot of music videos. I became very busy with that and so I became known and the radio station at the time. They called me and said hey, you have been so consistent, we would like to sponsor you to do a concert here. That's unheard of.

K-Anthony: 19:14

And I did and I? I was shocked because when I came out, the cultural difference there was two persons that opened for me and I came out and I said good night and everybody was quiet. Being the father that I'm from Jamaica, I didn't know that when I said good night it meant I was going to bed.

Mikelah : 19:36

Good night you know that didn't even register until you said it, because I'm like all the people, that's so rude. I just said good night, man that was crazy, right.

K-Anthony: 19:49

I said good night and they were still quite looking at me. And then someone said someone I could hear somebody whispering and saying good night means. They were still quite looking at me. And then someone said someone I could hear somebody whispered and saying, good, that means they're going to bed. I was like, okay, guys, guess what, where I'm from? When we say good night, we're just saying hi, hello, it's the evening, so we're just saying hi to you. And they all laughed and I just got into the set. That was funny. That went really well to see the support of persons, not just of my skin complexion, but it was packed with people from different backgrounds and I really appreciated that support.

Mikelah : 20:26

That is hilarious. That is the funniest story I've heard in a long time. But because you and I are thinking the same thing. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

K-Anthony: 20:39

So they have been sitting here waiting for me and I'm saying hi to you and nobody's responding. So, cultural differences.

Mikelah : 20:48

Oh for sure it must have been a huge culture shock. You talked about the climate change and, you know, just navigating your way in a new country, particularly in the music industry. Was it like learning all over again? Like who the players are, where to go, what to do? Like?

K-Anthony: 21:08

tell me about that experience A lot of researching a lot of late nights because I didn't have anyone in the town that was doing music, how I'm accustomed to doing music in Jamaica, understanding the players, as you said, in the music. But over time I just started building, started gaining momentum until they realized who I was, and gain momentum until they realize who I was. Shortly after I got onto mainstream television, did performances, and so it just grew from there.

Mikelah : 21:44

Well, that's good. So what do you enjoy most Performing? Being in the studio putting your music out. I know I like to ask, just to see, all of it is different stages.

K-Anthony: 21:58

I'm like earlier today I was in a meeting with some persons who I'm putting together to be a part of a team working on a music video. So it's, I would say, different stages. I would be so upbeat about getting a song done, getting the song written and recording it and then, moving from that to if I'm going to shoot a music video for that song, I would say yeah, seeing the song come into life.

Mikelah : 22:24

Now you released Arrow, your album in 2022. I think so. Yeah, that's post-COVID. Yeah, was that your first album or was that you had previous projects before?

K-Anthony: 22:40

I had a previous project which was nominated in 2021. Okay, and then a single that I won, gospel Song of the Year in 2021, I think. Then 2023, I was nominated for six GMAs in Canada Covenant Awards, which I walked away with Artist of the Year. So I've done quite a bit of project.

Mikelah : 23:04

So it sounds like you know, in Jamaica you were able to create your sound and then you come to Canada and then you kind of are able to kind of find your footing, create more music and kind of have like what feels to be like a great journey in recognition. How did you feel about that as you were going through the motions of all of the accolades and celebrations around the talent that you have?

K-Anthony: 23:39

One of the things that I'm grateful for is the fact that I was prepared for success before I received it. So it caused me to be humble about it, to be extremely grateful. I was very surprised that I won not underestimating the work that I've put in or the people that I've worked with, but more so, I think it was some great musicians, some great singers who was nominated.

K-Anthony: 24:10

I was elated. I was sitting at a table and they were saying hey, did you write a speech? I said no, I'm not going to set up myself like that. I don't know if I'm going to win. I said but do you have something that you would say if you end up being the winner? I said, oh yeah. When my name was called, I was speechless and it only allowed me to reflect on the journey. It has been a long journey, but I think it was a timely award and I'm grateful for the fact that they would see the fit to bestow that on myself and I take it with pride, not in a bad way, but to represent the best way I can.

Mikelah : 24:55

Now, now you're talking about the Juno Award, so we have to make sure we let the people there know you are the Juno Award winner of 2024. So that is this year, this year.

K-Anthony: 25:05

This year yeah.

Mikelah : 25:07

So did you perform at the award show as well?

K-Anthony: 25:10

No, I didn't perform. No, no okay, okay.

Mikelah : 25:15

What was the celebration? I feel like this is. This is a huge moment in terms of, you know, reflection. So tell, tell me about that moment for you.

K-Anthony: 25:24

Oh, the celebration was very simple. Uh, my family wasn't there. They were watching, everyone was watching, so I only traveled by myself, so it was very calm. You know, I went back to the hotel after and I personally thank God, thank my family, for their support for my acceptance speech. That is, and um, the celebration is going to happen in a week and a half time because I'm in grad school, so it so it's an interesting thing to balance music, family and everything else and school. So I'm in grad school in Michigan and so a friend of mine said hey, we're going to plan for the celebration to be X time at my home, so I'm looking forward to that.

Mikelah : 26:12

So I haven't really celebrated as yet, so I'm looking forward to that, so I haven't really celebrated as yet. So you received the award for the album Arrow, best Contemporary Gospel Artist. Does that add to the pressure of what your next project is?

K-Anthony: 26:33

Or does it just? It's kind of like it's part of the journey for you. For me it's part of the journey. As I said, I don't take it for granted. So this is a massive award and so it's just about being consistent, being true to the call, being transparent as much as I can be, just walking in my purpose and giving a body of work that speaks to people on all levels. So I wouldn't say I'm feeling any form of pressure. It was that time. I know I'm in a different phase right now. Actually, I've started working on a project from last year and still finishing it up right now. So I'm a workaholic, I'm always working. My wife in particular would say I'm a best friend in Canada who say I'm like a kid in a candy store, what people think I'm thinking about. I am past that already, so I'm already thinking about what's next. What am I gonna create next? You know, what does God want me to share? What message can I bring to people? What hope can I give? So I'm on to the next.

Mikelah : 27:42

And how has being in gospel artists changed, shifted, your relationship with God? I?

K-Anthony: 27:53

always need to spend time in the word with God. I always need to spend time in the Word. It also allows me to have an anchor of accountability, of trying not to live whatever the world set as a standard. Not to say I'm better because I'm not, but you aiming for something higher allows you to have a day of just reaching and growth. So it has called me to something a bit higher and I lean into that.

K-Anthony: 28:24

And for me, my favorite text is trust in the Lord with all your heart and to your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path. Proverbs 3, 4, 5, five. So I don't trust in my abilities. I appreciate what I've been given and I'm a student of what I've been given, but I also know that it's important for me to lean on God and ask for his direction. And what is it that you want me to accomplish? Not just setting goals, of achieving accolades, but which one person would you want me to talk to today that I could create a difference in their lives? And so that means a lot to me to accept the influence that I've been given and to use it for his glory.

Mikelah : 29:18

So I have your latest single, Back to Jesus. Did you write that it's a collaboration record?

K-Anthony: 29:24

It's a collaborative effort between myself and Alicia, my friend Lloyd Nix from Missouri. So that's a collaborative effort.

Mikelah : 29:35

And tell me about the inspiration behind that song?

K-Anthony: 29:39

As the song's story stated, it's a powerful song born from personal struggles. Persons generally have doubt and anxiety about their faith and finding it hard to cut through the negativity. It's just saying go back to the source, go back to Jesus. Sometimes our ability to see the Savior is obscured by the anxiety, the worries, the pain that we feel. But to kind of put on blinders like a horse and quiet the noise, don't focus on the insecurities that you have. Strip away the distractions and return to the fundamental trust in Jesus Christ.

K-Anthony: 30:33

So that's what this is all saying.

Mikelah : 30:35

Yes, yes, very inspiring. So what advice would you give to someone who is struggling with their faith a bit in today's society? What advice would you give?

K-Anthony: 30:52

What advice would I give? With someone who is struggling with their faith, be open about it, face it. Don't try to cover it with a facade of saying this is how I have to be, but also surround yourself with people. Who has been on this journey for a while and would have had some experiences and able to guide you and able to support you. I would say pray a lot For persons who haven't fasted. I would recommend that also to spend time in the word. And I say to people just try God, just say the simple prayer. I don't know who you are, or I thought I knew who you were, and I'm having some issues. I'd like for you to show up and I kid you not he will.

Mikelah : 31:52

I love it. Thank you so much, Kay Anthony. This was such an amazing conversation. I truly appreciate your time. Tell the people where they can find you and what you have coming up next.

K-Anthony: 32:05

Yes. So guess what? You can follow me on Instagram Kay Anthony Live. You can follow me on Facebook Kay Anthony Live. You can follow me on Twitter Kay Anthony Live. You can go to YouTube, type Kay-Anthony and for my website, kayanthonylivecom. Or if you want to reach out to my PR, visionpr7 at gmailcom. What I have coming up. I have some performance in Toronto have coming up. I have some performance in toronto, alberta, in the us, tentative date, um, and I'm working on a project to be released for the summer and some music videos. So guess what? Follow me on this journey. Let's walk together as I share, inspire and point you to the scene.

Mikelah : 32:54

Thank you so much again For everyone who is listening. Make sure you guys follow him and his journey and continue on your own journey Until next time. Thank you, kay Anthony. Appreciate you being now you're part of the Style and Vibes family.

K-Anthony: 33:12

I appreciate that too.

Mikelah : 33:15

So thank you guys, so much for listening, until next time. Leah time and peeps come on thanks for listening to the latest episode of the style and vibes podcast. If you like what you hear and I know you do share it with your friends and family if you want more, make sure you visit styleandvibescom and follow us on our social channels, twitter and Instagram. At stylingvibes. Until next time, leah Tommy peeps.