FL: Welcome to the Carnival Influence series, tell us how Chavdakid came about?
C: Chavdakid was born out of a love for Freedom, Unapologetic Expression and Misbehavior.
I was always a “Wild Child” and Chavdakid was the name given to that side of me that you’d find at a Party/ Fete/ Carnival, the side that never says no to Shots and always says Yes to New Adventures/ Experiences. Chav is from my nickname “Chavy” and Dakid is from what folks used to refer to me as “That Wild Kid ” or “That Party Kid”. I’ve always been referred to as a bad influence because I’m always the one to get my friends in wild states. (I’ll admit it this once)
So, after constant aggressive encouragement from my loved ones and my experience over the years, I finally decided to make it an official brand last year and that’s how Chavdakid – Your fav bad Influence was born.
FL: We saw that your blog has hit over 10k views in such a short period of time, first off congrats, secondly how do you think you were able to capture the attention of so many people?
C: Thank you so much! You know…I’m actually very humbled by this, especially being that I was so nervous in putting it out in the first place. Capturing people’s attention naturally comes easy for me because I’m highkey a WHOLE character! Dramatic, Wild, loud and hilarious. So in my blog I try as much as possible to not box myself in the normal “blog etiquette” but instead to write exactly how I speak. Using Gifs that demonstrate my actual reaction to situations and actual photos/videos depicting exactly what’s taking place, I wanted to make sure that when you read my posts you feel as if I’m in front of you as dramatic as I naturally am. Whether I’m telling you about this dope experience I had or giving you tips on how I handle Carnival etc I want you to feel as if you’re right there with me.
FL: So we found out that you’re a talented photographer, how did you get into photography and how long did it take to master the craft?
C: Aha! Who gave ya’ll the scoop eh? But Yes! That’s actually my full time job and first love.
Along with being a wild child, I’ve always been a “weird creative” as they’d say. I got into photography because of my love of telling stories using conceptual, dynamic imagery. I’m also actually self taught and been in the photography field for 4 years. I wouldn’t say I’ve mastered it just yet as I’m still learning every day and I don’t think that will stop anytime soon. However practice makes perfect, in my down time you’d find me on my computer practicing new edit techniques and opening myself to newer ways of doing things.
FL: Do you plan to incorporate your photography skills with your love of carnival, if so how?
C: Actually, I’ve already begun doing so.
Because of my love and talent for telling a story using imagery, when I do my visuals for either during/ after a fete or mas or whatever the case may be – I tend to go for more action/ in the moment shots more than the regular stand and pose.
I also do a lot of imagery for my friends when we carnival hop and help them with tips on editing their visuals etc, that comes quite naturally for me.
FL: They should just call you MR. Fete, cuz its non stop partyin’ with you, so tell us what makes a good & bad fete?
C: Hahahahaha! I’ll take it!
Hmm, to me a good fete is the perfect blend of Music and Vibes. Many folks take into consideration how long it takes to get your drink, food etc but for me I’m a simple man who knows the amount of work that goes into events. So I leave the majority of my expectations at the door and try my best to enjoy it as is. I always tend to have a good time because of that and I assist my friends by sharing my energy with them.
A bad fete? I’d say if the Music isn’t flowing right/ variation is off or if I’m hearing the same song 50000 times. The catalog for Soca music is HUGE, there’s no reason why I need to be hearing the same song played over and over again in an event.
Oh and special mention, if Palance is played…I’m judging the entire event.
FL: As we know carnival is life, Tell us the secret to pumpin’ in so many countries within the same year?
C: RESEARCH AND BUDGET!
I’ve learnt that research never ends. You could be THE Bacchanalist of the Century and there’s still things you could learn. Carnival is expensive and I get it but if you research enough you’d find out ways and means to having a great experience with a lower cost.
You could save your 5 star hotel money and go with a cute airbnb in a safe neighborhood and have a great time because half the time you aren’t even going to enjoy all the hotel amenities you’re paying for when you’ve got 2-3 fetes a day.
Also knowing you don’t have to do EVERYTHING to have a great Carnival Experience is ideal! A Breakfast Fete, An all-inclusive, A Boat Ride, A Jouvert and Mas – YOU GOOD!
Having a budget is also good because it helps you to narrow down your experience to the important things. This may be debatable but sometimes your Carnival Trip may end up being 2 Fetes and Mas or 10 Fetes and no Mas at all. It all just ends up coming down to what you personally can afford and not extending yourself to just look like a Professional Pumper just for Social Media.
I’ve done Trinidad 3 times and the first two times, I only did fetes cause I couldn’t afford Mas and that’s quite okay! Just do what you can afford and make the best of it always.
FL: The 10 Carnival Commandments, how did you narrow it down to those ten, and for the Carnival Newbies out there why are these so important?
C: When I started getting into the Carnival life, I never had anyone to tell me the Do’s and Don’ts so I ended up making A LOT of bad decisions and NOT the good kind either.
I’d consider myself still new to the game and I’m now blessed to be surrounded by some dope friends/ Fellow Carnival lovers that have taught me so much in the past year.
As time goes by, there’s more and more folks wanting to experience a Carnival and some have even put it on their Vision Board for 2020. So because of that I felt the need to use my horrible experiences and turn them into “Commandments” to live by for the ideal Carnival Experience.
The only way we can help each other is by sharing our experiences and If I can assist someone in bettering their Carnival Experience, I’m all for it.
FL: Sugar MAS – ST. Kitts Carnival, tell us about your experience from start to finish and do you recommend going?
C: 2 Words: HELL YEAH.
Opening your New Year, misbehaving on the road? UH YES.
I’ve been attending for the past 4 Years and I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon. The experience at Sugar Mas is truly a beautiful cultural experience, the people are amazing and the VIBES…. Kittitians KNOW how to party.
I start from Jouvert on Boxing Day, so you have your Christmas lunch/dinner and that’s basically the prep for your stomach for when 3am hits THEN it’s professional rum drinking time!
From there it’s non stop partying! We have Top off Brunch which is thee Soca Brunch to attend then Inception which is a 12 hour Fete from night to morning. Followed by Soca Seas SKN, the cruise that basically preps you for your road experience and then Mas (I played with Ultra Carnival) on the 1st and 2nd of January!
God spare my life, St Kitts Carnival 2021 shall be the move again.
FL: As your brand continues to grow and your Carnival Influence widens, how do you plan to help push the culture forward?
C: I strongly believe that everyone’s experience and content is different as all of our personalities differ and for that reason it’s important for us to each have and showcase our voice.
On my end, I’m about making sure anyone I’m around have the experience of their LIFE. So my plan going forward as my influence widens is to not only to continue sharing my experience and thoughts on Carnival Culture but to one day be able to provide Personal Experiences where you’d be able to travel with me one on one and I show you everything you need to know about enjoying what each culture has to offer in its best form.
FL: We know you have worked with Carnival Luxe, what other brands would you like to work with in the future and what can we expect from the Chavdakid brand in the upcoming carnival seasons?
C: There’s so many! Honestly, I’m open and interested in adding my flavor and working with anyone like-minded, anyone who has a passion for pushing the Carnival Culture forward. So Mas Bands, Carnival Concierges, Fete Promoters, Tourism Boards – LETS WORK!
Regarding Chavdakid going forward, I’d say always expect the unexpected. One thing I can say is, you can for sure expect more Unapologetic Misbehavior, More Slipping on the people dem road and More Enjoyable Content from Your Fav Bad Influence.