Renowned soca artiste Kes says being at this year’s Island Music Conference (IMC) meant representing togetherness in the Caribbean region.

“At the end of the day, to represent the genre, and to represent the region is always a blessing, and to share and to impart knowledge is great because, with this journey, I feel like it’s very important for us to create spaces for people. I remember growing up and not having one,” he told the Jamaica Observer on Thursday at the Courtleigh Auditorium.

Kes was part of a panel dubbed ‘Music is a Mission’ alongside Teejay and international R&B star Mya with Tuma Basa (from YouTube) as the host.

The artiste further said that he frequents the island because of the appreciation he has grown for the culture and its people.

“I come back here quietly sometimes. It’s a place that I come [for] vacation, work… to jam out with friends. It’s just one of those places,” he said.

Last year, Kes held a mega-concert at Sabina Park in Kingston as part of Jamaica’s Carnival week. The concert will return on April 4.

When asked about the preparations for the concert, he said, “I just love coming back to Jamaica, so, I’m prepared right now. I can’t wait.”

The singer, whose given name is Kees Dieffenthaller, is the lead voice for Kes the Band, which also comprises the singer’s brothers.

In 2011 he was crowned Trinidad and Tobago’s International Groovy Soca Monarch.

The band’s hit tune
Wotless was also nominated for a 2011 BET Soul Train Music Awards in the category of best Caribbean Performance.

The band has collaborated with a few Jamaican artistes, among them Busy Signal, Shenseea, and Shaggy.

IMC is being chaired by Orville “Shaggy” Burrell, with support from co-founders Sharon Burke and Judith Bodley.