Kes (band)

Kes
Kees Dieffenthaller (2021)
Kees Dieffenthaller (2021)
Background information
OriginTrinidad and Tobago
GenresSoca
Years active2005–present
WebsiteKestheband.com

Kes (commonly known as Kes the Band or KTB) is a Trinidadian soca group formed in 2005, known for their eclectic mix of R&B, Pop, Rock, Soca, EDM and reggae. The band originally comprised brothers Kees Dieffenthaller on lead vocals, drummer Hans Dieffenthaller, rhythm guitarist Jon Dieffenthaller along with friend Riad Boochoon on bass guitar.[1][2] Hans was eventually replaced by Dean James with keyboardist Mario Callender and DJ Robbie Persaud appearing as supporting members. Since the band inception, they've been elevated to mainstream popularity locally and throughout the Caribbean diaspora.[3][1]

In 2011, Kees was crowned T&T's International Groovy Soca Monarch[4] The band's hit tune "Wotless" was also nominated for a 2011 BET Soul Train Music Award in the category of best Caribbean Performance.[5] Another hit single called Hello, released in 2017, has since earned the most digital streams of any soca song in the last decade. Kes teamed up with Iwer George to win both the 2020 T&T International Soca Monarch and Road March titles. The band has also collaborated with artistes such as Joss Stone, Shaggy, Busy Signal, Shenseea, Snoop Dogg, Major Lazer and Tesanne Chin.[6][7][8]

Kes the Band has released ten albums to date, Three Baldheads and a Dread, Lion, On in 5, Wotless, Stereotype, Wired, MadMen Productions Presents: Kes, Windows to the World, We Home, and Man With No Door.

  1. ^ a b Meschino, Patricia (2 September 2019). "5 Artists Essential to Contemporary Soca: Machel Montano, Patrice Roberts, Voice, Skinny Fabulous, Kes The Band | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  2. ^ Dixon, Siobhan (30 April 2022). "Kes Talks New Music, Cultural Unity, And Coping With "Carnival Tabanca"". VIBE.com. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  3. ^ Lucas, Keen (25 May 2022). "Bottling the Caribbean with Kes". PAM - Pan African Music. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  4. ^ Richmond, Ben (19 August 2020). "Interview: At Home With Kees from Kes the Band". afropop.org.
  5. ^ "Chris Brown, Beyonce Lead Soul Train Award Nods". Mtv.com. Archived from the original on 2 August 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  6. ^ James, Vanessa (4 November 2020). "Soca Artists Kes The Band Is Back With New Live Album Just In Time For Labor Day Weekend". Essence. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Kes to host IzWe concerts - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday". newsday.co.tt. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  8. ^ Stone, Joss (17 May 2021). "Thank you @theKesband from Trinidad & Tobago. Lovely lovely collaboration. The band are well known for their unique blend of soulful vocals, inspired melodies and hints of reggae. You can watch the full video here. Enjoy!". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 13 November 2023.