PHILIPSBURG:--- Chippie & Laser 101 present, "Who's Next SXM", along with Dee Sonoram of eOne records and celebrity DJs Big Ben and Shortkutz present Who's Next SXM Talent Competition. The Talent competition is being organized in conjunction with the SXM Experience Music Festival and is set to be the largest singing competition to ever take place on St. Maarten. The competition will give local youths the opportunity to showcase their singing abilities in front of renowned judges. Contestants will be vying for a chance to win a record deal, cash prizes and radio circulation. Judges will specifically seek out the youth of the island to give someone with raw talent the chance to grow and develop and become the next big radio superstar.
The competition will be sponsored by Chippie, the most reliable telecommunications service provider on St. Maarten as well as top radio station, Laser 101. Both presenting partners will ensure strategic and effective promotions for the event. "We have been a proud supporter of various local competitions in the past, which have been the stepping stone for many local talents to gain overseas exposure and experiences," said UTS Marketing and Communication Officer, Ivy Lambert. "We are very excited that this project will take the possibilities even further by offering the winner a recording deal with eOne records, a long-established international recording company. That is an unprecedented opportunity which we are certain many local talents will want a shot at. We look forward to seeing the best of the best out there competing," Lambert continued.
The competition will feature top music industry professionals from the U.S. which will lead to increased visibility for the Island, solidifying it as a top travel destination. The first round will take place at Tantra May 23rd in front of a live audience of entertainers, musicians and nightlife professionals brought in for the SXM Experience. Contestants can enter the contest through registration on a website made specifically for this event (http://sxmexperience.com/whos-next/). Tickets will be sold for $10 each. Next round venues and dates to be confirmed.
Judges: A highly regarded panel of judges that are locally respected and known will judge the contest including Dee Sonoram of eOne Records, and celebrity DJs Big Ben and Shortkutz.
Dee Sonoram
Dee Sonaram is a New York based Record Executive, and is widely regarded as one of the most inventive promotions people working in the Urban and Rhythmic crossover radio market. The list of artists Dee has worked with is a "who's who" of Urban music that includes Gold and Platinum selling artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Ray J, Timbaland, RZA, Jim Jones, DJ Khaled, Unk, Big Gipp, Dorrough, Sean Kingston and more. Dee has appeared six different times on The Source Magazine's Power 30 Most Influential People in Hip Hop Music and his achievements including Grammy nominations and A&R accolades.
DJ Big Ben
Big Ben is one of the most sought after DJs in the U.S. most known for his tenure as famed radio personality, Angie Martinez' hype man as well as opening for Platinum acts the Backstreet Boys and O-Town. Ben is a member of the Heavy Hitters Crew, one of the most influential DJ crews in the entertainment industry as well as a mixer on New York's premiere hip-hop radio station, Hot 97.Big Ben is currently a resident DJ at hot spots 1OAK and Avenue in New York and Wall in Miami. His energetic club mixes have been requested by some of the most well-known celebrities in the world including Uma Thurman, Alek Wek, Lenny Kravitz, Owen Wilson, Nicky Hilton, Michael Jordan, 50 Cent, and Sean "Diddy" Combs.
DJ Shortkutz
New York based DJ SHORTKUTZ is one of the biggest names in NYC nightlife, spinning at some of the city's most exclusive venues. SHORTKUTZ regularly performs at high-profile fashion, music, corporate and charity events for well-known brands including Chopard, REDValentino, Saks Fifth Avenue, Ciroc Premium Vodka and Heineken. Most recently he's spun for celebrities such as Heidi Klum, Ciara, Miley Cyrus, Jamie Foxx and JAY Z. Aside from NYC and the tri-state area, SHORTKUTZ has spun in all major U.S. cities including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Miami, and well as internationally in South Africa, Mexico, Panama, China and Japan. SHORTKUTZ has secured a residency at Tantra in St. Maarten, where he spins monthly, establishing himself as a fixture on the international nightlife scene.
UTS Press Release
