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THELIONCITYBOY (Kevin Lester)

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Kevin Lester, or more commonly known by his moniker THELIONCITYBOY, is a Singaporean artist, songwriter and music producer. Once a marketing manager in an IT company, Kevin decided to pursue his passion for music and has since performed on both international and local stages. He has collaborated with other notable local musicians including Benjamin Kheng of The Sam Willows and Sezairi Sezali. With his music, Kevin has also raised awareness for causes such as animal welfare through the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES).

THELIONCITYBOY
THELIONCITYBOY profile.jpg
Born
Kevin Lester Sarjit

13 August 1984
EducationDiploma in Mechanical Engineering
Alma materSt. Gabriel's Secondary School, Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Spouse(s)Aarika Lee
ChildrenZola Mae Lee-Sarjit, Ari Jon Lee-Sarjit
Websitehttp://thelioncityboy.com/

Background

Kevin Lester decided on the moniker ‘THELIONCITYBOY’ after realising that Singapore, his home country, had played a significant role in his life and career.[1] Kevin Lester has a YouTube channel called ‘THELIONCITYBOY Official’ which features his music videos (YouTube channel). His most viewed videos include ‘THELIONCITYBOY - YAYA feat. Benjamin Kheng’ with more than 180,000 views and ‘THELIONCITYBOY x FARIZ JABBA - Flexicution Remix’ with close to 40,000 views.[2]


From 2004 to 2006, Kevin was part of a local band called Bonafide Vintage Flav’r.[3] The band released an album in 2005 titled 'The BVF Project EP'. The same year, the band was nominated for Best Local Act and Best Local Song for 'Feels Good' in the local radio station 987FM’s year-end awards.[4]

Album The BVF Project EP (2005) Duration
1 Feels Good 3:27
2 Disco Love 3:52
3 Magic 3:12
4 Tell Me What It Feels Like 4:14
5 No More Mr Nice Guy Part 2 2:58
 
Kevin Lester (4th from left) and Aarika Lee (3rd from left) with the rest of the members in SIXX. Photo from Bandcamp.

Subsequently, Kevin fronted a local band called SIXX, where he met his current spouse, Aarika Lee, who was the lead vocalist.[5] In 2010, Kevin quit his job as a marketing manager in an IT company to focus on his music.[6] The band released an album at the Marche International du Disque et de l’Edition Musicale (MIDEM) 2012.[7] The song ‘What if it’s You’ was written with the purpose of raising awareness for the less than ideal living conditions of the dolphins at The Resort World Sentosa’s dolphin attraction.[8]

Album Supersonic (2012) Duration
1 Supersonic 3:33
2 What if it’s You 4:10

In 2011, Kevin was named 'Music Act of the Year 2011' by ELLE Magazine Singapore.[9] Kevin went solo in 2012 and was signed to management company BMBX ran by apl.de.ap from American pop group The Black Eyed Peas from March 2014 to December 2015.[10][11]

On 20 April 2013, Kevin spoke to an audience at TEDxSingapore. He shared his passion for music and his father’s influence on his career as a musician. Additionally, he advocated for the local music scene in Singapore.[12] In 2018, he was a judge for 'Vans Musicians Wanted', a competition for musicians to be showcased at the House of Vans Guangzhou stage.[13]

Discography[14]

 
The album art for 'Paradise' (2016). Photo from Bandwagon Asia.
 
The album art for 'PYCO' (2014). Photo from Shazam.

Albums

In 2016, Kevin released his album titled 'Paradise'. The song ‘YAYA’ appeared on the Spotify Singapore’s Viral 50 Chart and ranked 15th on local radio station 987FM charts. Additionally, Kevin’s song HRLY (Harry Lee) had been dedicated to the late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.[15] The album reached no. 1 on the iTunes Charts.[16]

Album Paradise (2016) Duration
1 HRLY - Harry Lee 2:37
2 YAYA (Ft. Benjamin Kheng) 3:16
3 Start Already / One Seven 4:09
4 New Bounce 3:49
5 Interlude (Ft. Charlie Lim) 1:22
6 Paradise (Ft. FlightSch) 4:08
7 My Way (Ft. FlightSch, Gentle Bones) 3:56
8 Decorate (Ft. Aarika Lee) 3:34
9 Not Over 4:38

In 2014, Kevin released the album 'Put Your City On'.

Album Put Your City On (2014) Duration
1 PYCO (Put Your City On) 4:15
2 She Wild 2:54
3 Rocket Ship 3:16
4 Overdrive 3:27
5 Jama 3:25
6 Forever 3:45

1n 2013, Kevin released his first album under the moniker THELIONCITYBOY titled 'Everything You Love, Everything You Hate'.

Album Everything You Love, Everything You Hate (2013)[17] Duration
1 Danger (Ft. Sezairi Sezali, Bani Hykal, Aarika Lee) 5:04
2 Hear Me Go 3:50
3 Blue Ribbon 3:38
4 Cartoons & Heroes 3:41
5 Everything You Love, You Hate 4:37

Released in 2010, Kevin's solo debut album was titled 'Let's Talk About Kevin Lester'.[18]

Album Let's Talk About Kevin Lester (2010) Duration
1 S.S.A 2:44
2 Kidhood (Ft. Aarika Lee) 3:47
3 Rockstar 2.0 (Ft. Vanessa Fernandez) 3:03
4 Fresh Pair (Ft. England National Rugby Union Team, Prinya Intachai, SonaOne, Syaheed) 3:52
5 Cartoons (Ft. Tim De Cotta) 3:50
6 You're a Winner (Ft. Tim De Cotta) 3:25
7 Overdo (Ft. Tim De Cotta) 4:39
8 Rockstar 2:23

Collaborations & features

Year Title Duration Description
2019 NDP 2019 theme song: Our Singapore 4:00 Together with 26 other Singaporean artists, Kevin was featured in the 2019 National Day Parade theme song 'NDP 2019 theme song: Our Singapore' (YouTube video). The song is a mash-up of the 2015 rendition of 'Our Singapore' and 'We Will Get There', the 2002 NDP theme song.[19]
2016 We Are Singapore 2018 3:36 Together with local artists Aisyah Aziz, Charlie Lim, Joanna Dong, Shak’thiya Subramaniam and Vanessa Fernandez, Kevin Lester performed the song ‘We Are Singapore 2018’, a rendition of the 1987 National Day theme song.[20]
2017 The Fear Generation (Ft. THELIONCITYBOY) 3:40 Kevin Lester was featured in local rock band Villes album ‘The Cure’.
2016 Terrified (Ft. THELIONCITYBOY) 3:34 Kevin was featured in local artist Sezairi’s album titled ‘SEZAIRI’.
2015 Love Sings / Anbu Paadum

[Official Music Video]

5:02 As part of the compilation album ‘Sing, Love’, Kevin Lester collaborated with other artists such as Jeremy Monteiro, Nathan Hartono and Rani Singam. The album was released in commemoration of Singapore’s 50th anniversary (SG50).[21][22]
2014 Unrequited Love (Ft. THELIONCITYBOY) 4:09 Kevin Lester was featured in Dominique Choy’s (Dizzy Dizzo) EP album.
2013 It Can Only Get Better 4:27 Kevin Lester collaborated with artists Aarika Lee, Grace Huang, Iris Judotter and Vanessa Fernandez to produce a single.

Singles

 
The album art for 'Bitch, I'm on an Obike' (2018). Photo from Genius.

In 2015, Kevin partnered with recording label BMBX to release “Light It For Me” that featured American singer Marc E. Bassy. Kevin's 2013 single 'PYCO (Put Your City On)' was popularised after it was featured in Starhub’s ‘The Legend Returns’ commercial video that celebrated local football player Fandi Ahmad (YouTube video).[23]

Year Title Duration
2019 2 The Max 2:28
2018 Bitch, I’m on an Obike 3:04
2018 My Turn (Ft. Preetipls) 2:14
2015 All Night (Ft. Sezairi, Mr Boo) 3:27
2015 1030 3:17
2015 Light It For Me (Ft. Marc. E. Bassy) 3:32
2013 She Wild 2:54
2013 Rocket Ship 3:16
2013 Overdrive 3:27
2013 PYCO (Put Your City On) 4:15

Performances

Music festivals

Date of Performance Festival Organiser Location
21 August and 22 August 2015 IGNITE! Music Festival[24] Republic Polytechnic Republic Polytechnic, Singapore
21 June 2015 YFest[25] Esplanade Esplanade Outdoor Theatre, Singapore
5 August 2014 Canadian Music Week 2014[26] Canadian Music Week Detour Bar, Canada
29 November 2013 Made for Music 2013 Festival[27] Budweiser Mansion@Esplanade, Singapore
20 September and 21 September 2013 1 World Music Festival[28] Retfar Entertainment Marina Barrage Singapore, Singapore
22 May and 24 May 2013 Music Matters 2013[29] Branded Asia[30] Various locations, Singapore
21 April 2013 SHOW IT! Youth Arts Festival[31] *SCAPE *SCAPE Warehouse, Singapore
6 April 2013 Big Wig Festival[32] Big Wig Festival Fort Canning Park, Singapore
13 March 2013 SXSW 2013[33] South by Southwest (SXSW) Meduse Lounge, Texas, United States

Performances

Date of Performance Festival Organiser Location
10 November 2018 Downtown East 30th Anniversary[34] NTUC Downtown East Downtown East, Singapore
9 August 2018 National Day Parade 2018[35] National Day Parade Executive Committee The Float @ Marina Bay, Singapore
27 January 2018 Laneway Festival 2018[36] St Jerome Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
8 April 2017 Influence Asia 2017[37] Gushcloud Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
7 August 2015 Sing50[38] The Straits Times and The Business Times National Stadium, Singapore
13 March 2014 Red Bull Music Academy Presents: Solid Gold Red Bull Music Academy Zouk Singapore, Singapore
5 October 2013 HOUSE PARTY: An SGMUSO Open House[39] SGMUSO, e2i and Music Matters Aliwal Arts Centre
30 August and 31 August 2013 HOMEMADE UNPLUGGED, Singapore Night Festival 2013[40] Singapore Night Festival Singapore Management University U-Square, Singapore
25 May 2004 Black Eyed Peas Live in Singapore[41][42] MIDAS Promotions Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore

Showcases

Date of Performance Festival Organiser Location
22 March 2018 TheLionCityBoy with special guests Airliftz & Sounds Of Fai[43] Kilo Lounge Kilo Lounge, Singapore
2015 *SCAPE Invasion Tour[44] *SCAPE Various Locations, Singapore

References / Citations


  1. ↑ Mathews, Kevin. “The Unexpurgated interview with Kevin Lester”. Today. April 26, 2013. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.todayonline.com/blogs/poparazzi/unexpurgated-interview-kevin-lester
  2. ↑ “THELIONCITYBOY Official”. YouTube. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6l5hZN5qoBOppjHk7GGHsA
  3. ↑ Eddino Abdul Hadi. "Rapper TheLionCityBoy goes to LA and rediscovers Singapore roots". The Straits Times. August 21, 2015. Accessed on 24 April 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/finding-his-voice
  4. ↑ “MARK BONAFIDE FEAT. SLEEQ – URGF”. Sleeq Online. April 30, 2011. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://sleeqonline.wordpress.com/2011/04/30/mark-bonafide-feat-sleeq-urgf/
  5. ↑ Low, Tracy “Finally, a taste of paradise”. The Newpaper. August 17, 2016. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.tnp.sg/m/music/finally-taste-paradise
  6. ↑ Low, Tracy “Finally, a taste of paradise”. The Newpaper. August 17, 2016. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.tnp.sg/m/music/finally-taste-paradise
  7. ↑ “Supersonix”. Bandcamp. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://wearesixx.bandcamp.com/
  8. ↑ Filkhairi Zaini. “Famous and for a cause: Kevin Lester”. Youth.sg. February 12, 2015. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.youth.sg/Spotted/People/2015/2/Famous-and-for-a-cause-kevin-lester
  9. ↑ “THELIONCITYBOY”. Bandwagon. Accessed on 12 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.bandwagon.asia/artists/thelioncityboy
  10. ↑ Eddino Abdul Hadi. “Rapper TheLionCityBoy goes to LA and rediscovers Singapore roots”. The Straits Times. August 24, 2016. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/finding-his-voice
  11. ↑ “Kevin Lester”. LinkedIn. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-lester-40767125/
  12. ↑ TEDx Talks. “I’m The Lion City Boy, hear me roar and rap! Kevin Lester at TEDxSingapore”. YouTube. August 31, 2015. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15jinf0J6vM  
  13. ↑ Mahirah Mahmud. “Vans Musicians Wanted returns to Singapore, open for submissions now”. Bandwagon. July 2, 2018. Accessed on 27 February 2019.. Retrieved from: https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/vans-musicians-wanted-2018-singapore-returns-open-for-submissions
  14. ↑ “THELIONCITYBOY”. Spotify. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5OwVPmFnyYzcaPYZqMxN7o?si=3AGUjQpBRXy3pWpYkaMewQ
  15. ↑ Eddino Abdul Hadi. “Rapper TheLionCityBoy goes to LA and rediscovers Singapore roots”. The Straits Times. August 24, 2016. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/finding-his-voice
  16. ↑ “THELIONCITYBOY”. THELIONCITYBOY. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://thelioncityboy.com/about/
  17. ↑ “Everything You Love, You Hate”. Spotify. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://open.spotify.com/album/3FhBqkZkWKBmRZSHY1GWLF
  18. ↑ “THELIONCITYBOY”. Bandwagon. Accessed on 12 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.bandwagon.asia/artists/thelioncityboy
  19. ↑ Mohan, Matthew. "NDP 2019 theme song combines familiar tunes We Will Get There, Our Singapore." Channel News Asia. May 22, 2019. Accessed on 24 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ndp-2019-national-day-parade-singapore-theme-song-11553608
  20. ↑ Jalelah Abu Baker. “NDP 2018: 'We Are Singapore' back as theme song, but with a twist”. Channel NewsAsia. May 22, 2018. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ndp-2018-we-are-singapore-theme-song-floating-platform-10257002
  21. ↑ Toh, Christopher. “Local album Sing, Love pay tribute to Singapore”. Today. May 7, 2015. Accessed on 20 November 2019. Retrieved from https://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/local-album-sing-love-pay-tribute-singapore
  22. ↑ Lee, Benita. “Sing, Love album”. TimeOut. July 2, 2015. Accessed on 20 November 2019. Retrieved from https://www.timeout.com/singapore/music/sing-love-album
  23. ↑ “The Lion City Boy”. Vans. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.vans.com.sg/artist/lion-city-boy/
  24. ↑ Ng, Rachel. “5 Fresh Acts from the IGNITE! Lineup That You Must Check Out”. Ignite Music Festival. Accessed on 25 July 2015. http://ignitemusicfest.blogspot.com/2015/07/5-fresh-acts-from-ignite-lineup-that.html
  25. ↑ “Gizzle Rhymes: Feat Mean, Akeem and THELIONCITYBOY”. Esplanade. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.esplanade.com/festivals-and-series/yfest/2015/grizzle-rhymes-feat-mean-akeem-and-thelioncityboy
  26. ↑ “ADI ULMANSKY, HALF CHANCE HEROES, KEVIN LESTER + MORE (CMW)”. Canadian Music Week 2014. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved form: http://cmw2014.do416.to/events/2014/5/8/adi-ulmansky-half-chance-heroes-kevin-lester-more-cmw
  27. ↑ Leong, Mint. “[Mint.Music.Event] Attend Budweiser 'MADE FOR MUSIC' 2013 Festival On 29 & 30 NOV”. Mint Leong. November 14, 2013. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://mintleong.blogspot.com/2013/11/mintmusicevent-attend-budweiser-made.html
  28. ↑ “1 World Music Festival”. JUICE Singapore. July 15, 2013. Accessed on 12 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://juice.com.sg/1-world-music-festival/
  29. ↑ Hidayah Salamt. “Interview: Kevin Lester”. SG Magazine. May 10, 2013. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://sg.asia-city.com/events/article/interview-kevin-lester-music-matters-live-2013
  30. ↑ “Music Matters Live”. Music Matters Live. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://musicmatters.asia/
  31. ↑ “*SCAPE PRESENTS SHOW IT!”. Noise Singapore. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.noisesingapore.com/Happenings/2013/4/15/SCAPE-Presents-SHOW-IT/
  32. ↑ Hidayah Salamat. “Singapore's first . MBig Wig Festival to feature Pharoahe Monch, The Pharcyde and Akil of Jurassic 5”. SG Magazine. February 1, 2013. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://sg.asia-city.com/events/news/singapores-first-big-wig-festival-feature-pharaohe-monch-pharcyde-and-akil-jurassic-5
  33. ↑ “Kevin Lester”. SXSW Schedule. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2013/events/event_MS23284
  34. ↑ “Downtown East 30th Anniversary”. Expat Living. Accessed on 12 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://expatliving.sg/event/downtown-east-30th-anniversary/
  35. ↑ Gwee, Karen. “Who are the musicians performing and singing their hearts out at this year's National Day Parade?”. Hear 65. August 1, 2018. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved form: https://hear65.bandwagon.asia/articles/guide-to-musicians-national-day-parade
  36. ↑ Eddino Abdul Hadi. “St Jerome's Laneway Festival back for eighth Singapore edition”. The Straits Times. January 27, 2018. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/st-jeromes-laneway-festival-back-for-eighth-singapore-edition
  37. ↑ “Influence Asia 2017 Celebrates Social Media Influencers Across Seven Asian Countries!”. Go Asean. Accessed on 12 March 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.goasean.com/influence-asia-2017-celebrates-social-media-influencers-across-seven-asian-countries/
  38. ↑ Eddino Abdul Hadi. “Star-studded line-up for mega concert”. The Straits Times. March 8, 2015. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/star-studded-line-up-for-mega-concert
  39. ↑ “HOUSE PARTY”. Facebook. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/events/164123867123738/
  40. ↑ “Singapore Night Festival”. National Archives Singapore. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/20130829001/singapore_night_festival_2013_-_factsheet.pdf
  41. ↑ “Black Eyed Peas Live in Singapore 2004”. MIDAS PROMOTIONS. May 31, 2018. Accessed on 27 February 23019. Retrieved from: https://midaspromotions.com/events/black-eyed-peas-live-in-singapore-2004/
  42. ↑ “MARK BONAFIDE FEAT. SLEEQ – URGF”. Sleeq Online. April 30, 2011. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://sleeqonline.wordpress.com/2011/04/30/mark-bonafide-feat-sleeq-urgf/
  43. ↑ “TheLionCityBoy with special guests Airliftz & Sounds Of Fai”. Facebook. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/events/812999635577085
  44. ↑ “THE LION CITY BOY”. Vans. Accessed on 27 February 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.vans.com.sg/artist/lion-city-boy/
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