The Beginning: Learning from a Hitmaker

Before I ever stepped in front of a microphone, I was behind the scenes, learning from one of the best. Troyton Rami of Black Shadow Records wasn’t just a producer—he was a hitmaker. His catalog included some of the biggest dancehall records of all time.

He produced Sean Paul’s platinum-selling project, which featured the global anthem "Gimme the Light." He was also behind classics like "Tempted to Touch" by Rupee and "Turn Me On" by Kevin Lyttle. Surprisingly, he even had a hand in the creation of "Cobrastyle" by the Teddybears and Mad Cobra. His production and songwriting were heard around the world, and I knew he was the right person to learn from.

At Black Shadow Records in Miami Gardens, I did a bit of everything. I cleaned the kitchen, worked out with Troyton, went on food runs, and handled emails. I designed artwork for songs that featured legends like Beenie Man, wrote lyrics for reference tracks, and soaked up everything I could about the industry. If something needed to be done, I made sure it happened.

Troyton called me Kayo—like K.O.—because whatever was thrown at me, I knocked it out.

Beyond the day-to-day grind, I also learned how to DJ, spending time in the studio playing around with the mixers. More importantly, I saw firsthand how a song went from a simple chord progression to a fully produced record. I learned what it took to break a song, get it on the radio, and make it move in the streets.

That was my true start in the industry.

The Door to Radio: A Voice That Found Its Place

After my time at Black Shadow, I returned to Nassau, Bahamas, looking for new opportunities back home. That’s when Deezy The Incredible asked me to lend my voice for a commercial. I agreed, not knowing that one small decision would set me on a path that would change everything.

The commercial led to an opportunity at Hot 91.7 FM, a station with the perfect tagline: “Feel the Heat.” It was the newest station on the island, playing the music I loved, and it gave us the space to bring our own style to the airwaves.

Deezy and I launched Urban Invasion, owning Sunday nights, which were some of the biggest party nights on the island. That’s when I coined the phrase “The Party on the Airwaves.”

Me and my DJs were locked in—true sound bwoy killas when it came to the DJ and MC combo. We brought an energy that made people feel like they were at the club, even if they were just at home or in their car.

That momentum led to an even bigger opportunity. I moved to Saturdays from 2 PM to 6 PM, a major slot. Saturdays in Nassau were electric—there were always live remotes, outside broadcasts, and high-energy events happening across the island. Hot 91.7 trusted me to be that guy.

With that bigger platform, I got the chance to do more interviews and engage with a wider audience. It made me realize I wasn’t just good at this—I was built for broadcasting.

The Turning Point: Triz at Nite is Born

Around the same time, I was being courted by a brand-new station entering the market with deep financial backing. They invited me to be part of a new show, Unfiltered, alongside two women co-hosts. I was actively involved in the planning, getting hands-on in shaping the show.

But Nassau is small. Word got back to Hot 91.7 about my secret plans to jump ship.

That’s when I knew they truly believed in me. Instead of letting me go, they gave me something bigger.

I was brought in to replace the evening jock on weeknights from 6 PM to 10 PM.

Triz at Nite: The Show That Changed Everything

I locked in major interviews, getting some of the biggest names on the line—DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, Stylo G, Sizzla, Kranium, and more. I introduced segments like:
✅ The Pull Up! Playlist – a weekly spotlight on new and trending tracks
✅ Triz & Friends – bringing guests and personalities into the conversation
✅ The DJ Mixshow – where we made every night feel like a party

For six nights a week, we ran the airwaves.

Triz at Nite was more than a radio show. It was the springboard for everything that came next.

That success opened the doors for everything that followed—events like Art After Dark, Lite Vibes, and more.

The Leap: Taking a Chance on a Bigger Market

During my time hosting Triz At Nite, I wasn’t just building a radio show—I was helping shape the entertainment scene in the Bahamas. I had a desire to elevate everything I touched, and that extended far beyond radio. I curated successful events, collaborated with some of the country’s top creatives, and constantly sought ways to push the culture forward.

But I knew that to stay sharp, I needed new experiences.

I started traveling—a lot.

One city stole my heart: Toronto.

I found myself in Toronto frequently, visiting friends, networking, and planting seeds of opportunity everywhere I went. I connected with Alicia Ace West, who was already making moves in the city, and kept expanding my circle.

I was in Toronto so much, people thought I lived there.

I even did my Triz At Nite show remotely from my Airbnb condo, bringing a little bit of Nassau to the 6ix.

Ace knew I wanted to break into a bigger market, and on one of my trips, she made it happen.

The Birthday Trip That Changed Everything

In November 2019, I flew to Toronto to celebrate my birthday. That trip would change my life.

I decided to treat my mom to her first NBA game—and not just any game. I got us courtside seats to watch the Toronto Raptors, right after they acquired Kawhi Leonard. That season, they would go on to win the NBA Championship, making this an even more legendary moment.

I could have taken anyone to that game. Some random gyal. A friend. But instead, I made sure my mom had the best seat in the house, dressed her in a fire fit, and gave her an experience she’d never forget.

That same trip, Alicia reached out with an opportunity that would change everything.

She told me Flow 93.5FM was looking for a weekend swing host.

She asked if I was still in Toronto because if I was, I could schedule an interview with the program director immediately.

I wasted zero time.

If my flight was leaving that night? I wasn’t getting on it.

This was the opportunity I had been planting seeds for, and I knew I was the perfect guy for the job.

I put on my best fit, walked into Flow 93.5’s studio on St. Clair and Yonge, and stepped into what felt like my next big leap forward.

I was nervous at first, but I left the interview confident. The program director was impressed, and the message was clear:

“If you can relocate to Toronto, the position is yours.”

That was all I needed to hear.

The Decision: A Safe Bet or a Big Risk?

At the same time, I was being courted again.

This time, it was for the biggest radio station in the Bahamas—100 Jamz.

And it wasn’t just any slot.

It was their morning show.

In radio, the morning show is the flagship show. It’s the prime-time slot, the most influential, and the most highly regarded. It was a huge offer, and on paper, it was the “smart” move.

Meanwhile, Flow 93.5’s weekend swing position looked like a step backward.

Going from hosting my own full-time evening show in the Bahamas to being a weekend jock in a new country?

For most people, that wouldn’t make sense.

But for me, growth mattered more than comfort.

I felt like there was a glass ceiling in Nassau.

I had seen what my counterparts in bigger markets were accomplishing, and I knew I had more to offer. I didn’t just want to be a local legend.

I wanted global impact.

The safe bet was 100 Jamz and the morning show. The risk was Flow 93.5 and starting over.

I chose the risk.

I secured the best legal route to move to Canada, stacked up cash from Lite Vibes to cover my transition, and prepared for the biggest move of my life.

The Move: A New City, No Job, and a Pandemic on the Horizon

Luckily, I had incredible support waiting for me in Toronto.

My dear friends, Girer and her late husband Travis, opened their home to me. They gave me a couch to sleep on while I got settled and searched for my own place.

Everything seemed to be falling into place—until it wasn’t.

As I prepared for my new role, I noticed conversations with Flow 93.5 started going cold.

At the same time, I kept hearing rumblings of a new virus called COVID-19.

It didn’t take long for everything to fall apart.

I had made the biggest move of my life, landed in a whole new country, secured a basement unit with no furniture, and suddenly had no job at Flow 93.5.

The world was about to shut down.

That’s when CAY Radio was born.

Building From Scratch: The Birth of CAY Radio

Since I was unable to start my job at FLOW 93.5 because they ghosted me, I made a decision. If the opportunity I moved for wasn’t going to happen, I would create my own. That’s how CAY Radio was born.

CAY Radio wasn’t just about staying active in the industry; it was about building something real. A platform for DJs, artists, and creatives to shape the sound of the city on our own terms.

One of the first shows I launched was Hooding Tapes, a mixtape series featuring local and international DJs, giving them a space to showcase their skills and introduce fresh sounds. It wasn’t just a radio show. It became a party series, and after the pandemic, it grew into one of the most successful events we ran.

I also collaborated with The Extra Gravy Podcast, working alongside Marlon Palmer, Alicia Ace West, and Norm. Ace played a pivotal role in my journey. She was the one who got me the interview at FLOW 93.5, the moment that convinced me to move to Toronto in the first place. Working with her again through CAY Radio felt like a full-circle moment.

Then came Northbound, a show I built with Adjuki that went beyond the airwaves. We interviewed influencers and artists from across the city, giving them a platform to share their stories, showcase their work, and connect with listeners. But Northbound wasn’t just about conversation. We took the music from the radio stream to the stage, curating live showcases where audiences could experience the culture firsthand.

CAY Radio wasn’t just a station. It became a movement, a space where I could plant deeper roots in Toronto’s creative scene and build a real community along the way.

Without this chapter in my journey, I wouldn’t have been prepared for what came next.

The Comeback: From VIBE 105 to FLOW 98.7

It had been over two years since I was on the air full-time. Two years since Triz at Nite, since I ran the airwaves in the Bahamas, since I had a radio home.

CAY Radio had been my focus, and it gave me a platform to create and collaborate, but it was different. There was something about live radio—the unpredictability, the connection, the energy—that I missed.

I started wondering what the next step was.

That’s when I saw Mastermind had landed a new role with a Toronto-based channel on SiriusXM.

SiriusXM was the dream.

If there was a place built for someone like me, it was there. A station where music mattered. Where the right jock could move culture. That was where I wanted to be.

I didn’t hesitate.

I reached out to Mastermind and let him know that if there were any opportunities, I wanted in.

I could hear it in his response—he understood my hunger. He respected the drive.

But instead of giving me a straight path to SiriusXM, he gave me something just as valuable.

“If you want to get back on the air, VIBE 105 is an option.”

I had been away from FM radio for over two years. Jumping straight into a major platform like SiriusXM was possible, but I also knew radio is a muscle—you have to stretch it before you hit the big stage.

VIBE 105 was a community station, though. And let’s be honest—there was zero reason to discuss pay.

I took my time deciding.

I had built something of my own with CAY Radio, and if I was going to step back into someone else's structure, it had to serve a purpose.

That purpose came down to one thing: growth.

I’ve always believed in trusting the process, and Mastermind came with wisdom.

That was the value I saw in the opportunity.

Finding My Voice Again

Once I stepped back on air at VIBE 105, I realized how much I needed it.

CAY Radio had allowed me to build platforms for other creatives. But this was different.

For the first time in a long time, it was about me again.

I felt that switch flip.

I poured everything into it. If this was going to be my reintroduction to Toronto’s FM airwaves, I had to show up like I belonged here.

And it paid off.

Mastermind was closely involved with operations at VIBE, and I started hearing rumblings that something big was coming.

Then, the news broke—

Flow was coming back.

The Return of Flow and the Call I Had Been Waiting For

Flow 93.5 had been a part of Toronto’s identity for years, and now, the brand was making its return as Flow 98.7 FM.

I remember the moment I heard.

I sat with it for a second, letting it sink in.

I had no idea if there was a place for me at this new version of Flow, but I knew this was the station I had moved to Toronto for in the first place.

I had no expectations, but deep down, I knew this was the move I wanted.

Then, it happened.

The call.

The one I had been waiting for since I first touched down in Toronto.

There was a home for me at the new Flow 98.7 FM.

The Fight for My Spot

I’d love to tell you I was the top pick from day one, but that wasn’t the case.

Mastermind had to fight for me to get this role.

That moment changed my entire perspective on him.

I respected him before, but this was different. He went to bat for me when others weren’t sure.

It was confirmation that he believed in me.

I had to make it count.

Locking in My Dream Slot

Negotiations started, and everything started to come together.

Not only was I coming on board at Flow 98.7, but I was stepping into the afternoon drive slot—2 PM to 7 PM, Monday to Friday.

I can’t explain how perfect this felt.

The afternoon drive is one of the biggest slots in radio. It’s where people are locked in, in their cars, at work, getting through their day. It’s where energy matters.

And energy is what I do best.

This was my moment.

The Real Full-Circle Moment

I know I’ve said it before, but this was the real full-circle moment.

When I first moved to Toronto, Alicia Ace West had connected me with Flow 93.5 for my original interview.

Now?

She was hired to do the morning show alongside Marlon Palmer.

We had both landed at Flow 98.7, but this time, it wasn’t just about getting in the door—it was about owning our place in the city.

And for me? It wasn’t just about career moves anymore.

I had built something real here.

I had taken the biggest leap of my life, betting on myself by leaving the Bahamas.

I had started CAY Radio from the ground up.

I had laid roots in this city.

I had started a family with my amazing partner, Rahel.

Everything led to this.

And now, it was time to take the next step.

The Future: Evolving with the Industry

Now, I’m not just on the airwaves. I’m building bridges between radio and social media, turning traditional broadcasting into a visual, interactive experience.

The way people consume media is changing, and I refuse to get left behind.

I see a future filled with live streaming, digital-first content, and new ways to push the culture forward.

Toronto didn’t just give me a career. It gave me a family, a new chapter, and a future that I’m excited to create. And if the past ten years have taught me anything, it’s that the best stories are the ones still being written.