Erline Andrews
Patrick Anthony Alexis II, better known as The Hype Man, went to Fatima College, graduated with four A-level passes and left T&T to study finance at the University of Toronto with the hope of one day becoming a CEO.
Today he’s a prime time host on radio station Hott 93.5 and a well known MC, travelling all over the world, hobnobbing with celebrities.
Before an audience of around 400 teen girls seated in the hall of Bishop Anstey High School one afternoon last week, Alexis told the story of how he went from a more typical career path into entertainment.
He was host at an event put on by the organisers of the Decibel Entertainment Conference and Expo. Bishop was the final stop in a school tour to promote the event among its target audience: people still deciding on careers and interested in entertainment. That is: most teens in T&T.
In its third year, Decibel will take place over three days at Queen’s Hall, starting on Thursday with a conference where people involved in local and international entertainment will share ideas about starting careers and finding success in the industry.
On Friday and Saturday there will be an expo of local businesses involved in various areas of entertainment and fun events including a zombie-themed horror house, an obstacle race, and a gaming area.
TV star Rob Riley from VH1’s Hit the Floor will host a dance showcase on Friday at which actress/ dancer Megan Batoon will also make an appearance.
Holland Roden from MTV’s Teen Wolf meets fans, takes photos and signs autographs on Saturday.
Magician Darcy Oake will put on shows on Friday and Saturday nights.
“My job is simply to tell you that outside of the regular nine to five jobs of being a lawyer, doctor, policeman, accountant, there are other jobs,” Alexis told students.
“Would anybody here like to travel?” he asked. “Guess what, ladies? As a radio announcer and as a hype man for a DJ group, I was able to travel 35 times last year.
“I had the opportunity to do so many amazing things,” he added.
After spending six years in Canada, Alexis came back to T&T without finishing his degree. His personality and experience abroad helped land him a job as manager at the Coco Lounge night club on Ariapita Avenue, he said. He held that job for six months and then did a two-and-a-half-year stint as beverage manager at the Hyatt Hotel. There he met US politician and former First Lady Hillary Clinton.
He always had an interest in DJing, he said. An online bio describes how he used to do DJing gigs in Canada by carrying his desktop PC along in a suitcase because he couldn’t afford a laptop.
He met up with fellow Fatima alumnus and DJ Ryan Pankar one day in Trinidad and the two formed the DJ/MC team Nuphoric.
“When I was in school nobody thought I would be a DJ or a hype man,” he recalled.
The highlight of the Decibel tour was the appearance of Kamil McFadden, one of the stars of the Disney Channel hit KC Undercover. After arriving in Trinidad on Monday, McFadden visited Naparima Girls High School and Hillview College earlier in the week.
He answered questions from Alexis and the audience, who had greeted his entrance with screams. A few girls burst into tears.
Alexis asked McFadden what advice he had for students who were interested in careers in the entertainment industry.
“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything,” said McFadden. “You have to believe in yourself, and sometimes you may be the only one who believes in you. And that’s all it takes. Once people start to see the results and the progress then they’ll be like, ‘Oh maybe they can do this.’”
A student asked what McFadden thought was the best and worst part of working in entertainment.
“I think that it’s really cool that I’m able to touch so many people,” he said. “I’m in the States but I’m touching people in T&T.”
The downside to fame, he said, is not being able to have a normal outing with friends, as he’s often recognised and asked for pictures and autographs.
“But it’s cool,” he added. “It’s part of my job. It’s something that I love to do.”
McFadden ended his appearance by giving the audience advice Alexis had also given them earlier.
“No matter what career you choose,” he said, “put your education first.”