We were lucky to catch up with K’ondre Linden recently and have shared our conversation below.

K’Ondre, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

As far back as I can remember, I have always been a lover and fan of music and creative arts. They have always sparked my interest and captivated me. Whether it be any kind of music, dance, visual art or all of the former come together to make one fantastic product.

K’Ondre, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

In the Bahamas we have a parade that is apart of our culture called “Junkanoo”. Some of us would like to call it the greatest show on earth! I watched my brother and other guys from my neighborhood participate in it. And usually as a younger brother you would look up to your big brother and want to do the same thing he does. The sounds and vibrations from Junkanoo are one of a kind. Just seeing a video wouldn’t do it justice you need to be there! So of course I followed in his footsteps and became apart of it. And also listening and enjoying different genres of music made me a fan of music. Think about it…my big brother listening to Rap/hip hop, my sisters listening to R&B and pop and an aunt that lived with us listening to gospel along with me going to church, I really could not avoid music. Then, being in music class in school (primary and secondary) made me more interested and smarter with instruments. Some movies also helped with that. All of these experiences had a big impact on me because even though it was so long ago, I could still hum the melody or rhythm of all of them or recognize them because they all put me in some sort of trance.
So currently, I am one of the leaders in my Junkanoo group. I primarily play the cowbells. The first actual horn I played was the tenor saxophone. Then I went to play the sousaphone a little and I am playing and learning the harmonica on the side (it caught my interest and I learned that my late grandfather that I have not met because he died before I was on earth played the same thing and he also had a thing for music). I even did a fanfare/intro with the harmonica for my Junkanoo group. I also was in a video with Varcy (someone that did an interview with you guys) with a bass harmonica. And along with music, costuming is a BIG part of Junkanoo. Our costumes are like arts and craft on steroids 😂. I do my own costume and help others with theirs. I have even sold pieces of costumes I did.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The goal for me (as I want for everyone) is to make a living and to live a life of doing everything they love to do. And to do everything to their full potential.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Being appreciated and admired for the things you produce. Everything I do, I try to put my best foot forward. So after toiling it is amazing to see people appreciate and love what I have done the same way I could.
Also, it is encouraging and I am joyful when people come to me and say that I have made an impact and/or inspired them in some way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k_linden23?igsh=MTdmZDZiZzM3NnV5dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/yzgi8jvd7BjxiDoZ/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@emperork23?_t=8niNMxOgqpC&_r=1

Image Credits

K’Ondre Linden
Jemonique Barnabie
Taran Rolle
Varcy Duncombe
Chad Laing