THE Y3K group consists of siblings, Taiesha, Kwasi, Yurie, Keifa and Keiven Cox, who have been singing and composing their own songs for the past 11 years and they will represent Guyana and the Caribbean in songs at the Artistic Uprising event through Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness Organisation (CADVA)/One Billion Rising Caribbean Movement next month.Keiven Cox told this publication that each member of the group could sing as well as play at least two instruments and started out singing in church, having come from a religious family. Their father is the pastor at the 210 Christian Gospel Assembly, Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown.

He added that within those 11 years they have been singing, they grew as a group and being in the same family made it easier for them to enhance their skills and relate to each other.

Cox stated that since they began singing, the late Dr. Faith Harding was very involved in their work and supported them. As such, they were compelled to pen and sing a song in her honour, titled: “I
Listened.”

Y3K will be going to the United States to record a song for CADVA/One Billions Rising Caribbean Movement. The recording will be done in Jamaica, Queens, after which they will sing that song in Manhattan on February 7, 2015 during the Artistic Uprising event.

Cox told this newspaper that the event will bring artistes from around the world and it is the very first time Guyana and the Caribbean will be represented on that platform and the group is very pleased to attend.

He said, “We feel elated [and] grateful, but we are happy to be involved in anything that highlights domestic violence, because we lost a sister to domestic violence and we want to empower women and youths to make informed choices so they will not end up like my sibling.”

Cox explained that two years ago, his sister, Shalana Dowding, 17, was no more after being in a violent and controlling relationship; that incident took a toll on the family and they vowed to do whatever they can to enhance the lives of women and youths, who are experiencing domestic violence.

The Cox family comprises their parents and 11 siblings and they are all active worshippers at the church operated by their father.

The Y3K group is a very talented bunch of youths, who have performed at many local events, but it really hits you how good they are when you hear them sing.

The first time this reporter heard the group sing she was left in awe and it was a hair-raising experience which brought tears to her eyes. The wondrous melody was very in sync and it was an exceptional performance.
They sing religious as well as love songs and soul.

The mission of CADVA is to provide a safe environment where individuals and communities could share and receive information to help combat domestic violence.

They do so by building the platform for Caribbean communities through dialogue forums and breakout sessions against domestic violence, through education and public awareness campaigns. (Michel Outridge