Virgin Islander Mr Kareem-Nelson Hull to create history in being the first Caribbean person to Host or Co-Host BET Music Matters show in the USA. Photo: Facebook

Mr Hull's ability and talent was spotted BET's Mr Kelly Griffin who was a guest judge at the most recent Top 7@7 show in the VI. Photo: Provided/file

Follow the Movement's Mr Craig A. Lake was credited for his initiatives that have been highlighting local talents and opening opportunities for them to hit international scenes. Photo: Facebook

That’s when it all got started for Virgin Islands (VI) popular host of shows and programmes of all types Mr Kareem-Nelson Hull. Come December 9, 2014 he will be on stage as the co host of the internationally recognized show produced by Mr Griffin BET’s Music Matters.

BET’s Music Matters is a campaign that highlights the next BET superstars through music, bios, videos, photos and intimate interviews where the artists explain who they are and what music means to them.

“We are always looking for on-air talent as well as musical talent,” Mr Griffin said in a press briefing via conference call yesterday November 7, 2014. “This would be history in the making…. You are absolutely right this is going to be the first Caribbean [person] that we’ve actually invited to participate,” he said as it is going to be the very first time a Caribbean person will be serving in such a capacity on the international show.

According to Mr Griffin the audience will be of a very high caliber with top level VIPs, international artists among others.

“It’s going to be a kind of best of the best for the year, a few people from Motown would be there and quite a few other surprises so he is going to be in really good company, industry insiders and so forth,” he said.

Mr Griffin credited President of Follow the Movement (FTM) Mr Craig A. Lake for his programmes that have been putting the best of the best in the Territory in the spotlight. “I am a very critical person and I told Craig, I say look I’ll come down there to help you out but there is nothing I can promise you and I was blown away… me and Craig talked about it and we want to bring him up and have him come guest host and see where it goes from there,” he said.

Asked if there exists an opening that is likely to absorb the local talent in the person of Mr Hull Mr Griffin said, “As a major network we are always looking for and eyeing for talent and we may be able to use him. We have very special events that go on throughout the year where they could be opportunities where we can say let’s use the guy that host the music matter thing back in December he may be great for this, could be on air, could be off air, could be digital it’s just an opportunity to get in front of some key people.”

This all caught Mr Hull by surprise but he sees the opportunity as a very humbling one. When contacted by this news site last evening Mr Hull said that it was our call to him that has sealed it off and making it real to him that it is really happening.

“Actually speaking to you right now makes it real for the first time. I know it was there, it was being talked about and he (Craig Lake) has been working on it. Now the fact that I am talking to the media it’s like Oh my goodness it’s really happening,” said Hull. 

Hull said that he was surprised at the fact that he wasn’t auditioning for a part nor did he apply for it. “I was only hosting the fashion show part for T-Shirt genius at Top 7@7 and mind you it was just doing a favour for a friend and not realizing the calibre of men that was there that would be looking for something other than a singing talent,” he said.

“I am going to do my best, that all I can promise my audience and the others,” said Hull. He said that it also news to his ears that he will be creating history by being the first Caribbean person to be on stage as a host or co-host to the show. “It’s a tall order but I thank God that I have the opportunity and I feel like when you are chosen for these things it’s almost a confirmation that there is something in you that makes you able to do these things,” said Hull.

The Kelly/FTM relationship started about a year and a half ago when Mr Lake had invited Kelly to participate in the top 7@7 talent show.

Mr Lake expressed profound gratitude in the fact that through what he has been doing and will continue to do through the top 7@7 competition and other programmes executed by FTM, he has been making major leaps and bounds and moreso changing lives for the better and giving major opportunities to his people.

About Mr Kelly Griffin

Once ranked #2 on the Source magazine’s Power 30 list, Kelly Griffin aka Kelly G currently serves as Black Entertainment Television (BET’s) Senior Director of Music Programming.

Since 1999 Kelly G has taken BET’s music and programming to levels that have set trends which ultimately jump started and influenced the careers of many multi-platinum artists like Kanye West, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Drake, Trey Songz and countless others.

These are just some of the credentials that have led to Griffin being selected by the Follow The Movement (FTM) group as one of three judges for the Top 7@7 Who’s Next Finals scheduled for March 8, 2015.

Kelly G’s responsibilities once included choosing all the music videos on BET and now have expanded into areas such as developing a live events business (BET Live), a Music Library (The BET Collection), and a new music initiative (BET Music Matters).

He constantly monitors viewer response and industry trends to identify the next up and coming superstars to ensure that the network is always ahead of its competition and consistently on the pulse of its viewers. For many years he has given significant contributions to the music and production of the network’s franchise programmes including BET Awards, 106 & Park, BET’s Music Matters, BET Live, Rap City, Uncut and BET Access Granted. The response BET’s audience has had to Kelly G’s influence is clearly evidenced by the increased ratings the network’s music programming has enjoyed under his leadership. BET’s music programming is largely responsible for the network’s increased ratings in its key target market of 18 – 34 year olds by over 37% for over the past 10 seasons.