Download Tha Hot$hot's EPK

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Biography

Tha Hot$hot is a Sint Maarten recording artist, songwriter and entertainer who formerly resided in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He emerged on the music scene in 2012 after the successful release of his regional hit single, “Reppin’ It.” He ultimately gained local popularity when he was awarded the “Best Male Rap Artist” at the 2012 SXM Music Awards and achieved regional recognition throughout the Caribbean after having his “Reppin’ It” music video debut at number one on the Cross Caribbean Countdown, on Tempo Networks. The video lasted six consecutive weeks at number one and it remained on the countdown for a total of six months, marking Tha Hot$hot as the first artist from St. Maarten to do so.

 

Early Life

Shane Leon Kelly was born in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten and raised in Middle Region of the Lower Prince's Quarter. His mother is of Afro-Dominican background, and his father is of Black Nevisian descent. His parents have been married for over twenty-five years and had three children. Tha Hot$hot has an older brother and a younger sister, whom were both also born and raised on St. Maarten. They grew up in the tiny neighborhood of Middle Region and didn't have life very easy as children. Tha Hot$hot became heavily influenced by Hip-Hop music at a young age as a way of channeling his depression. He started becoming increasingly involved in music, and although he was known to be a quiet child, he used his creative abilities to openly broadcast his opinions effectively.

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Tha Hot$hot experienced one of the biggest losses in his life with the untimely death of his childhood friend, Gerald “Young G” James, whose life was taken away due to gun violence. Gerald played a significant role in the early stages of Tha Hot$hot's career by which they formed a group called the “Pimp Boiz.” The childhood group consisted of a trio: Gerald, Tha Hot$hot and Tha Hot$hot's older brother. Every afternoon after arriving home from elementary school, they chanted the rap lyrics of their songs of which Tha Hot$hot wrote most of the verses to. This is where he began to rapidly develop his skill, artistry and passion for songwriting.

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Career

On June 10th, 2014, Tha Hot$hot featured the Jamaican Dancehall superstar Konshens, and released his single “Tropical Limelight” (Remix) which also featured one of Tha Hot$hot's former label-mates, Stekaly. This was his first major feature to breakthrough on the airwaves throughout the Caribbean and various countries worldwide.

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The music video of his first official single “Tropical Limelight” landed at number three in its debut on Tempo Networks' Cross Caribbean Countdown before being retired off the countdown at the same position in its eighth and final week. The video eventually secured the number one position in its sixth and seventh week on the countdown. On two separate occasions he debuted in the top triad, and managed to secure a top three position with a triplicity of music videos. In addition, he is the only St. Maarten artist to have two different videos to remain at number one for consecutive weeks on Tempo.

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He then went on to release his third mixtape project titled “Anticipation For Greatness.” The mixtape was hosted by the “World Famous” and CEO of Southern Smoke, DJ Smallz, who is one of the top Hip-Hop mixtape DJs in the USA. The project was released on Livemixtapes and Datpiff on August 12th, 2014. Tha Hot$hot's “Out With A Bang” music video which comes off of his “Anticipation For Greatness” mixtape, was premiered on the well-known hip-hop website WorldStarHipHop.

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Quickly following the premiere, his “‎Tropical Limelight” single charted at #59 on the “Urban Charts” of ChartBase in Denmark. The chart is based on several international urban-charts and the biggest mainstream urban-hits in the world.

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D.Y. Entertainment established a partnership with a booking agency based in the USA, UK, UAE and Japan that gave Tha Hot$hot the opportunity to open for his first show in the United States. This partnership would also provide Tha Hot$hot with more shows both regionally and internationally. He stepped into St. Maarten’s history books on December 18th, 2015, after he was booked as an opening performer for Lil’ Wayne, Rich Homie Quan, Lil’ Dicky and K. Camp at the “Dope Music Festival” in Everett, Washington. In the spring of 2017 Tha Hot$hot landed his first promo tour which lasted a duration of two weeks from March 2nd - 19th.

 

The tour consisted of five cities and nine shows in total which included a two-day UK run with Moka Blast and Lady Leshurr in Birmingham and London, England. He opened for A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Migos and Lil’ Wayne at Clayton’s Beach Bar’s annual Spring Break beach parties on South Padre Island, Texas. The final trip on the tour was his debut at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas where he performed at five events. Tha Hot$hot is the only St. Maarten artist to perform at Clayton’s Beach Bar’s Spring Break and at the SXSW Festival. He is also the only St. Maarten artist to open for Lil’ Wayne at two different festivals.

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In the spring of 2018 Tha Hot$hot and D.Y. Entertainment launched another promo tour throughout New York and California. The campaign was highlighted by his performance at “TAP2018” in San Diego, California, an annual music conference and concert. He was one of the main opening acts for the former Slaughterhouse rapper and headliner, Cooked I. Hip-Hop duo Audio Push, Dilated Peoples' Evidence and SiriusXM Hip-Hop Nation's, Torae were also performers that night. Tha Hot$hot became the first music artist from St. Maarten to perform at the TAP Music Conference closing concert.

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After releasing a few singles and music videos, and being featured in several articles throughout the course of 2019 to 2021, Tha Hot$hot delivered his first official album titled “Islandticity.” The album was released on February 4th, 2022, and offers a unique blend of sounds that range from Tropical, Afrobeat, Reggaeton, Hip-Hop/Rap and more.

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This 8-track project highlights various sides of Tha Hot$hot that he introduces to his listeners. Islandticity was inspired by the authenticity of Caribbean, African and urban culture. It showcases a variety of emotions and creativity.

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Islandticity features guest appearances from Tatiana Gibs, Serb Tember, Daddy Jota and Ra’zhim. The production behind the project was provided by Serb Tember, JM Got The Heat, Stunna B, O'Brien Blagrove, Omito Beats and Prestige. Recording, mixing and mastering by Serb Tember at Motivation Studios, Nino Boy at Island Dreamerz Studios, Xavvo Knockin at Knockin Studios, Simpletune at Faceoff Studioz, Acero11 Studios and Ricardo Gutierrez of Create Major.

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In March 2022, the single 'What You Ready For?' by D. Kullus and Tha Hot$hot which was produced by Nino Boy, was featured in the Netflix TV Series Love Is Blind: Brazil Season 1 Ep. 3: Sexy Honeymoon. This was the first time he was featured on the television streaming service. The hit single was also featured on the MTV reality show, Siesta Key Season 5 Ep.1.

To close out the calendar year of 2022, Tha Hot$hot won the “Best Music Video” on St. Maarten with his single 'Trauma' for the 2022 Laser Awards.

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Label and Management

Tha Hot$hot is currently signed to D.Y. Entertainment. D.Y. is a registered and notarized label and artist management company based on St. Maarten. It was initially founded as a music entertainment retail store in 2003 by Steve Chemont, and then in 2012 he branched out and launched an independent record label and artist management service. In addition, D.Y. have also incorporated and registered a foundation called “Dutch Yardeez Foundation,” which carries the objectives to promote and organize music-related activities and community work. D.Y. then launched their publishing company “I From Here Music Publishing.”

 

Discography

Albums

• Islandticity (2022)
   

Mixtapes

• Anticipation For Greatness (Hosted by DJ Smallz) (2014)

• Swagger 101 Vol. 2: From Local To Global (Hosted by DJ Wikked) (2012)

• Swagger 101 Vol. 1 (Hosted by DJ Unknown S.I.K) (2010)

 

Singles

• No Smoke (feat. Serb Tember) (2023)

• Trauma (Prod. by JM Got The Hear (2022)

• Rendezvous (Prod. by Serb Tember) (2022)

• New Flex (Prod. by Omito Beats) (2020)

• Reggaeton Soca (feat. Daddy Jota & Ra’zhim) (Prod. by O'Brien Blagrove) (2020)

• Oualichi (Prod. by Serb Tember) (2019)

• What You Ready For? (Feat. D. Kullus) (Prod. by Nino Boy) (2016)

• High Off Life (Feat. Yung Phenom) (Prod. by Anttheeman) (2016)

• Party Freak (Feat. Yung Phenom) (Prod. by XavBeatz) (2015)

• Tropical Limelight (Remix) (Feat. Konshens & Stekaly) (Prod. by MulahBeatz) (2014)

• Tropical Limelight (Feat. Stekaly) (Prod. by MulahBeatz) (2013)

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Achievements

Awards

• Best Music Video: Laser Awards (2022)

• Hardest On The Rock Awards: St. Maarten Rap Achievement Award (2018)

• SXM Music Awards: Best Male Rap Artist (2012)

• Best Hip-Hop Song: Highly Motivated (2010)

 

Websites Featured On

WorldStarHipHop, ThisIs50, CoastToCoast, DJSmallz, CanadianDope, Digiwaxx, MP3waxx, Chartbase, DancehallArena, CaribbeanEMagazine, SXMDaily, Hiphopondeck, Daily-HipHop, Mymixtapevote, Stopbeefinradio, Djmliveradioshow, Thedosemusic, TheHypeMagazine, Lov3rz Magazine, Jackthriller and HolidaySeasonLive just to name a few.

 

Opening Performances For

Rich Homie Quan, T-Pain, Lady Saw, Lil Dicky, Shurwayne Winchester, K. Camp, Mr. Vegas, Kerwin Du Bois, Ace Hood, Future, Lil’ Wayne, Blac Youngsta, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Moka Blast, Lady Leshurr, Migos, Evidence, Torae & Crooked I and many more of your favourite artists.

 

Radio Stations

Hip-Hop/R&B Hits (Slacker Radio), Hip-Hop Hits (Slacker Radio), Hip-Hop Nation Radio (SiriusXM Satellite Radio), KISS FM 95.7 (now Jam'n 95.7 FM) (iHeartRadio) San Diego/CA, Power 92.3 FM Chicago/IL, 96.1 KISS FM (iHeartRadio) Denver/CO, Laser 101 FM St. Maarten/Caribbean, Kool FM 103.3 Anguilla/Caribbean, Q102.1 FM San Francisco/CA, All In Radio San Jose/CA, JARADIO Jamaica/Caribbean, KCRH 89.9 FM Oakland/CA, Q97.1 FM Fresno/CA, KKXX Hits 93.1 FM Bakersfield/CA, SOS Radio 95.9 FM St. Martin/Caribbean, U 92.7 FM Palm Springs/CA, Youth Radio 92.5 FM St. Martin/Caribbean, Radio Anguilla 95.5 FM/Caribbean, Power 102.7 FM St. Maarten/Caribbean, Pulse88 LDN London/UK, Air 107.2 FM Weymouth/UK, Rhythm 105.9 FM Sacramento/CA and many more.

 

From his admirable attitude and perspective on music, to his compelling lyrics, it's safe to say Tha Hot$hot is an artist we all need to look out for!

 

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For any bookings, contact: Artist Auditions Bookings via Email at ArtistAuditionsUsa@gmail.com, via telephone at +1 (323) 508-1663 (L.A.), +1 (678) 965-0269 (ATL), +1 (646) 397-5066 (N.YC.) & +011 44 208 144-2870 (London) or log on to their website at www.artistauditions.com/.

 

For any features, general artist inquiries or should you have an immediate question/concern, please feel free to contact: D.Y. Entertainment via Email at dutchyardeez@hotmail.com, via Skype at Steve.Chemont1 or via telephone at +1 (721) 523-1151.