LOCAL Reggae Artiste Renne Chester recently completed his MBA (Master of Business Administration) with the Australian Institute of Business, and wants young people with a fast-track mentality to know that they would gain nothing if they choose to turn their backs on their academic development.

At just 31 years of age, Renne has this sterling achievement to his credit! He doesn’t plan to stop here, but intends to pursue a Doctorate in Business Administration, specialising in Marketing. He wants to be in a position to provide a secure and stable future for his family while keeping at the back of his head his goal of recording a global hit song someday.

Renne had this to say: “This life is too short, so I would like to retire in my 40s and travel the world, working on a consultancy basis,”

He told Pepperpot in an interview a few days ago that he is the proud father of young Antwan, and is currently the Social Media Marketing Officer at the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T) where he operates from the Marketing Department. “I enjoy what I do and relish the opportunity to prudently manage the brand image of one of Guyana’s revered companies,” he said.

Renne is recognised locally for many things. He is the host of ‘Epic Hype’, a television show that is aired on National Communications Network (NCN) every Saturday from 13:00 hrs to 13:30 hrs. He was also recognised for being in the top ten of GT&T’s Jingle and Song Competition of 2007 and 2009.

SINGING & ACTING
Renne recalled that, as a child, when it came to singing, he got a little push in his primary school. He used to stay back after class to be a part of the West Ruimveldt Boys’ Choir, and he said the teacher apparently saw his potential and helped him along. Other members of that same choir are still singing today, Renne said.

He strongly believes that music is something that should motivate others. “If someone is having a sad day, you could be able to pass a smile to him. So whenever persons hear anything from me, it will always be something positive,” he said.

He writes all of his songs, and they are mostly generated from societal norms or his personal experiences.
Most of his songs are about love, peace and unity. And how he loves to sing to ladies! “I believe this is one of God’s greatest gifts to a man…that of having a woman at his side.”

Explaining his feelings towards music, he said: “Music is my love. I cannot live without singing. If music is taken away from me, I would feel devastated. This is the way I find peace. I am so thankful to GT&T for creating the platform for persons like myself, whom others never knew existed.”

Recently, though, Renee said music has been on a standstill for him. “I have a lot of unfinished work in the studio that I need to dust off and get back to, but I will be performing,” he affirmed. He plans to release two new music videos this year.

Meanwhile, wanting to challenge himself to do new things, Renne recently began acting. “I found out the hard way that, unlike singing, where there is more liberty on stage, with acting, every movement is part of a blocking that must be remembered.”

Last year he starred in the hit stage play ‘Shattered Dreamz’, in which he played the role of a doctor and a father. This is a play that was written by Sheron Cadogan-Taylor and was directed by Mariatha Causeway. It earned him a nomination for best supporting actor, and he was also accepted into the Horizon Arts Group.

“That moment was overwhelming for me. It was my first time on stage acting and receiving such recognition.”

Renne believes that if there is more support from corporate Guyana, a lot more local artistes would be identified. “I have seen Caribbean artistes celebrated in their country. There is a lot of appreciation for them. But it’s the opposite here. Persons don’t support their local artistes by buying their albums and so, and we need more to be done in Guyana.”

EDUCATION IS KEY
Completing his MBA was by no means easy. Said Renne: “The experience, though well rewarding, demanded an incalculable amount of sacrifices. Malcom ‘X’ said it best when he said “education is the passport to the future”, and that is a quote that I’ve lived by, along with my mother’s advice from a tender age that education is the key to success and something no one can take from you.

Renne said the MBA has provided him with a work-applied learning experience to astutely think as a global business leader in an ever-changing world. “The knowledge garnered has equipped me to function at an executive level, and provide viable solutions to formidable challenges in any area within the company, especially marketing.”

Renne therefore wishes to advise the younger generation to get rid of the tendency of wanting to get everything easy and fast. “There is nothing wrong with honestly working hard for what you want. Your journey is what holds the beauty of your success story. I am successful today because I worked hard for what I wanted, and there is no one on this earth that can stop my will to progress in this life.”

Renne said he married his queen, Amanda, one year ago, and their son just turned 3 years old. “He has already picked up the microphone to sing; like father like son. My TV show Epic Hype has been doing pretty well, with followers close to 4,000 in number. So I believe the show will be around for a while. Thank you my faithful heart fans. I love you guys,” he said.

By Telesha Ramnarine