When Party TV debuts formally on television on Monday evening, it will be the first part of Kendesi Mohammed’s mission to transform Guyana into one of the entertainment hotspots in the Caribbean.
Having lived in the USA for the last 19 years, Kendesi has returned to Guyana where he hopes to put his knowledge in the entertainment industry to use. Based in Maryland, Kendesi makes his living by hosting massive parties in various states as well as promoting the events of others. “I’ve been throwing parties for as long as I can remember,” he says, adding that he has had considerable success promoting the parties of other people. He has officially been doing this for the last 11 years and many of these parties have included some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry: P.Diddy, Jay Z, Mr. Vegas, Movado and others. He takes footage from these parties and then places them on his website www.Kendesi.com.
What has so far led to a successful website, Kendesi hopes will lead to a successful television show in Guyana. The first full edition of Party TV will be aired on HGP TV Channel 67 at 11 pm and will feature snippets from parties held locally, in the USA and elsewhere. The material from these shows will then be uploaded onto his website for all to see.
The plan is to host some mega events locally, which would feature some of the big names in the entertainment business. Should these parties kick off as he hopes, this could be the launching pad of entertainment tourism in the country. According to him, this would create more revenue in the entertainment business and boost the tourism industry. He sees this as a chance to boost the country’s image overseas which he believes has been tarnished by the Jonestown saga and the crime spree during the past decade.
In fact, it was only last October, almost 19 years after migrating from Guyana, that Kendesi made his first return trip to the land of his birth. Originally raised in the village of Buxton, Kendesi says that his trip was a memorable experience and that it ignited the desire to contribute something positive to the country. During his trip he met popular local artiste Alabama, while he was free styling and rehearsing songs from his album at the Gaza barbershop in Annandale. Kendesi recorded this performance and began working on a documentary with the singer which is now available online at Youtube.com/kendesitv. According to the promoter, Alabama’s recording has already proven to be a big hit on the site.
Following their initial meeting, Kendesi met Alabama and shared the vision of Party TV with him. The two formed a partnership and now Alabama serves in the capacity of editor of the show. Kendesi and Alabama then they shared the concept with DJ Golden Chyld who later spotlighted Party TV on his show on Channel 67. The response to this has been good, Kendesi says, and persons are already asking for a DVD of this programme.
Kendesi says he hopes he could establish a hub for his business in Guyana which he can use to establish himself in other Caribbean territories. According to him, by establishing a business here he would be able to provide persons with employment. While initially Kendesi is self-sponsoring his initiatives, he says he is open to sponsorship. He is confident that once his product hits the air, the corporate sector will get onboard to offer assistance.