Getting to know KI

When KI won the International Chutney Soca Monarch with Single Forever in 2012, critics spoke highly of his potential as a future star, not just in the chutney arena, but as a soca singer as well. Since then, KI—whose real name Kris Veeshal Persad —has shown that his band JMC 3Veni is a force in the soca and chutney business.

At his first solo concert in 2013, I Am KI, he demonstrated the ability to blend his talents as a bandleader, musician and singer.

The concert featured Machel Montano, Drupatee and Neval Chatelal. KI was given the opportunity to be lead musician and producer of 3Veni. He used this experience to produce the band’s last five albums, and collaborated with Madmen Productions on the massive hit In Front of Meh by Umi Marcano. 

Entering the Chutney Soca Monarch for the first time in 2010, KI placed fourth with the successful hit Catch Meh Lovah (Sunita & Nadia). The 2011 Chutney Soca Monarch Competition saw him place third with his song No More Rum Again with over 10,000 votes. He has since then became one of the most requested crossover performers at major festivals/carnivals worldwide.

This Carnival, Persad will be entering the Chutney Soca Monarch competition. The songs he has released so far are Professor Feter, a collaboration with Nadia Batson and Lyrikal, and Runaway, a collaboration with Olatunji.

ABOUT KI

KI is the son of keyboardist, bandleader and producer Veerendra Persad, and followed in his father’s footsteps when he started playing the keyboards at the age of seven. 

At the age of eight, he won the inaugural Children of Mastana competition. 

He migrated to Toronto Canada at nine. KI attended the El Socorro Hindu School. In Toronto, he attended the Academy for Technology in Toronto.

KI relaxes with playing Fifa Soccer on his Playstation. In fact, 3Veni’s tour bus was modified so that KI could play Fifa games to and from gigs.

KI loves to cook most of all. He told the T&T Guardian, “If I am not doing music or playing football, you will find me in the kitchen, always experimenting with something new or making one of my favourite dishes. My favourite foods include crab and callaloo, lasagna and oil down.”

KI is also a bit of a movie buff and among his favourite flicks are Coming to America and Anchorman.