Gems From Friends

In this special roundtable episode of Gems From Friends, we sit down with three respected voices in Caribbean music — DJ Private Ryan, Scratch Master, and Barrie Hype — for a deep, honest, and entertaining conversation about the real work behind the booth.This is not just a conversation about playing music.We talk about what it means to move a crowd, how different islands respond to soca and event culture, why DJs must understand timing, sound, teamwork, risk-taking, and cultural responsibility, and how content has changed the way DJs build their brands today.The conversation also gets personal as the men open up about sacrifice, grief, pressure, the pandemic, family, mental health, and the moments where they still had to show up and perform while carrying real life behind the scenes.From Barbados to Trinidad, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Miami, Jamaica, Antigua, and the wider Caribbean diaspora, this episode is a masterclass on music, culture, professionalism, and legacy.DJs are not just selectors.They are cultural leaders.They are storytellers.They are the people who help shape memories.This is Gems From Friends.Featuring:DJ Private RyanScratch MasterBarrie HypeHosted by Matthew AshbyTopics covered:• The difference between soca and event culture across the islands• Why Barbados crowds are not easy to play for• The science of moving a crowd• How DJs break records and shape culture• Content creation as a modern DJ• The difference between talent and professionalism• The sacrifice behind success• Mental health, grief, and performing under pressure• What young DJs and artists need to understandSubscribe for more conversations with Caribbean creatives, entrepreneurs, artists, and cultural leaders.#GemsFromFriends #DJPrivateRyan #ScratchMaster #BarrieHype #SocaMusic #CaribbeanMusic #Barbados #CaribbeanCulture #DJCulture #MusicBusiness

In this episode, I sit down with Tyrique Wilson, founder of Carrington’s Rum Cream, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, discipline, sacrifice, and legacy.Tyrique opens up about growing up in Carrington Village, starting out in photography, studying law, and eventually building a brand that carries both family history and personal purpose. We talk about what it means to create value, why story matters in business, and how young entrepreneurs can stay grounded while building for the long term.This is a powerful conversation about identity, resilience, and building something real.

In this episode, Kelly Johnally reflects on what it has really been like to walk away from comfort and step fully into entrepreneurship. Two years after making the leap, she opens up about faith, risk, loss, growth, and the quiet ways God leads when the path does not always make sense.We talk about the difference between having an idea and actually building a business, the emotional weight of comparison, the lessons that come from losing money, and why surrender has become her word for this season. Kelly also shares what it means to trust God while navigating uncertainty, standing by your convictions, and learning to focus on the strengths you were naturally given.If you are building something, questioning your next step, or trying to balance faith with ambition, this conversation will speak to you. Kelly’s story is honest, practical, spiritual, and full of perspective for anyone on the journey of becoming.In this conversation, we cover:Leaving a stable career to pursue purpose Faith-led entrepreneurship and surrenderThe difference between an idea and a real businessKnowing your audience and building with intentionLessons from loss, risk, and hard pivotsGrowth, boundaries, and becoming more confident in who you areIf this episode speaks to you, be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that bring clarity, courage, and real perspective.Project 700 (Work with Fewwture) ---- https://shorturl.at/A0a8v Learn More - https://bio.fewwture.comFollow the Gem City Network www.gemcity.app#GemsFromFriends #Entrepreneurship #FaithAndBusiness #KellyJohnally #Leadership #ChristianEntrepreneur #Purpose #BusinessJourney #Podcast #Barbados

Grateful Co has one of the realest stories to ever hit this chair.In this episode, we sit down with the Bajan artist behind “I Like Her Too,” “Living Fast,” “When Last,” and “Center” to talk about way more than music. This is a full testimony on the block, bad decisions, gunshots, jail, God, fatherhood, and finding purpose.🎙 In this conversation, we get into:Growing up in St. John and chasing music from Junior Monarch daysHow the girls, the hype and the hustle first pulled him toward entertainmentWhen the music money wasn’t making sense and the streets stepped inGetting caught up in war, being shot in the back by police and living with the bullet to this dayJail time, loneliness, and the first “click” moment when his daughter was born while he was locked upThe emotional battle of trying to be a present father when systems, family and past choices are against youHow he found his way back through God, gratitude and a second chance at lifeThe meaning behind his name “Grateful Co” and why he calls himself a “Product of Change”His dream to start a Product of Change foundation to help youth, ex-offenders and anyone trying to escape the cycleThis episode is for:Anyone who thinks they’re “too far gone”Fathers fighting to be in their children’s livesYouth flirting with the streetsPeople who judge from the outside but never really listen to the storyIf you ever needed proof that anybody can change, this is it. 💎📌 Stay connected with Gem City & F’turePodcast & platform: gemcity.appInstagram: @gemsfromfriends | @gemcitynetworkHost: @iamfture👇 Drop a comment with your favorite quote from this episode & who you think needs to hear this story. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this with someone on the edge of a big turning point. #ProductOfChange #GratefulCo #GemsFromFriends

Reco Moore — Behind Barbados’s Most Genuine DocumenterIf you’ve been to an event in Barbados, you’ve seen him: the constant smile, the unstoppable energy, and the camera that feels like it’s part of his body. But behind the lens, Reco Moore carries a powerful story of resilience, trauma, triumph, and the inner battles that shaped one of Barbados’s most beloved documentors.In this deeply personal episode, Reco opens up like never before — sharing the moments that built his character, tested his spirit, and transformed his life.In this conversation, you’ll hear: 🔥 How his camera became his second heartbeat 🔥 Why he embraced the stigma around Alma Parris School 🔥 The hilarious (and humbling) disaster of his first professional assignment 🔥 His philosophy of life as a marathon through a dark tunnel 🔥 His courageous decision to speak publicly about being a male survivor of sexual assaultThis is more than a story about photography. It’s a story about surviving, laughing through pain, finding purpose, and turning scars into strength.If you’ve ever battled judgment, failure, trauma, or self-doubt — this episode will speak to you.Watch, share, and give Reco his flowers. Barbados knows the man with the camera. Now meet the man with two hearts.

Sean Field, an actor and creative director. The discussion spans Field's life, beginning with his childhood and moves between Barbados and the United States, his initial entrepreneurial ventures in Barbados selling veggie burgers and windchimes, and his eventual career in design, advertising, and acting in New York and Los Angeles, including his experience on the film Hancock. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Field's personal challenges, including a kidney cancer diagnosis and the recent loss of his mother, leading to reflections on resilience, mental health (especially for Black men), the importance of seizing opportunities, and the need for creatives in the Caribbean to value their work in the "show business" industry.

We’re taking *Gems from Friends* on the road across Barbados—literally picking up past guests and continuing the conversation where we left off. In this special “Puffy Road Trip” episode, Puffy and Matthew Fewwture pull back the curtain on the so-called glamorous DJ life: sleepless nights, constant travel, and the real sacrifices behind the spotlight. It’s unfiltered, honest, and built for anyone who thinks success is all confetti.Riding in the brand-new 2025 Deepal electric from Inchcape Barbados, we geek out on Wi-Fi, a full moon roof, slick touch controls—and why Puffy is proudly pro-EV. Between laughs and raw moments, we dive into identity-shaping decisions, like skipping Crop Over to headline a major Toronto day club (“legacy over hype”), redefining success as quieter, strategic wins, and pushing Caribbean culture worldwide.We also get into what people often miss about the craft—Puffy’s two-year Las Vegas residency, global tours across Asia and Europe, and why DJing is more than “playing other people’s music”: it’s designing an experience. Plus: rapid-fire personality picks (signature “Corus” sparkling rum punch), dream final gig (in a tux at the Grammys), opening-credits anthem (“Reindependent”), and the ever-relatable guilty pleasure—sleep.Highlights* The real trade-offs behind the “glamorous” DJ grind* The 2025 Deepal EV ride-along: features, feel, and future* Skipping Crop Over for a legacy move in Toronto* Vegas residency, global tours, and creative respect* Community questions that go deep on identity and growthThis Episode: Made possible in part by the Cultural Industries Development Fund of the National Cultural Foundation of Barbados.

Crystal Haynes, who is a doctor and entrepreneur in Barbados. The discussion begins with an insightful update on Crystal's successful wellness practice, highlighting her journey of rebuilding and the lessons learned about perseverance, faith, and the importance of a holistic approach to patient care. The dialogue also touches upon Crystal's recent departure from politics, her focus on family and personal growth, and her philosophy on balancing business aspirations with a fulfilling personal life. Throughout the interview, the two speakers emphasize the value of self-trust, continuous learning, and adapting to life's unpredictable path, all while navigating their conversation in a new electric vehicle, the 2025 Depal, which itself becomes a topic of discussion regarding its features and environmental benefits.

A behind-the-scenes look at the "Gems from Friends" podcast, featuring a conversation between its creator and host, Matthew Fewwture Ashby, and his co-producer and assistant editor, Jacoba Vlogman. They discuss the podcast's evolution, from its initial documentary-style season to its current studio format, highlighting the challenges and triumphs encountered along the way. The conversation underscores the importance of starting imperfectly and improving over time, embracing vulnerability, and the impact of authentic storytelling on both guests and audience. They also touch on the transferable skills from other production roles and the future aspirations for the podcast, including spin-offs and the need for sponsorship.

Shanice Taylor, a Barbadian entrepreneur and designer, who shares her personal journey of overcoming adversity. She recounts her challenging upbringing, including time in foster care and poverty, and how these experiences shaped her resilience and determination. Taylor discusses her career as a crochet and apparel designer and makeup artist, highlighting a significant moment when Rihanna wore one of her designs. The interview emphasizes her message to young people about self-sufficiency and perseverance, advocating for hard work over crime and encouraging them to embrace their struggles as motivators.Sign up for our newsletter: https://bio.fewwture.com/ - scroll to Join The TribeFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gemsfromfriends/ #GemsFromFriendsThis season is made possible in part by the Cultural Industries Development Fund of the National Cultural Foundation of BarbadosGratitude 🙏🏽

Kaddesh shares his personal journey, business ventures, and reflections on life. He discusses the challenges of parenting, the importance of respect over love, and the struggles men face in expressing emotions. The conversation also touches upon societal perceptions, racial classism in Barbados, and the impact of his upbringing on his identity and choices, highlighting his dedication to personal growth and generational well-being.Chapters: 00:00 - Teaser 01:53 - Intro 02:20 - Welcome 15:16 - Growing Up in a Black Household 25:57 - Cultural Effects 48:02 - Staying True 1:27:57 - Gem Pull 1:30:47 - Final Piece of Advice

Russell Grant, a prominent figure in Barbados's marketing, event production, and cultural scene. The conversation covers Grant's diverse background, including his brief career as an aircraft mechanic before pursuing his passion for events. Grant discusses the origins and evolution of his company, Event Hub, which began by building event infrastructure to reduce rental costs and has expanded into providing various event necessities like tents. He emphasizes the satisfaction he gains from creating enjoyable experiences for others and shares insights into the challenges of event promotion, such as managing high costs, securing human resources, and the importance of listening to feedback. The discussion also touches on the differences between Barbadian and international event scenes, the challenges of the pandemic on the industry, and Grant's motivation, primarily his daughters, for continuing in his demanding career.Chapters: 00:00 - Teaser 01:24 - Intro 01:51 - Welcome 02:43 - Aircraft Mechanic 04:18 - The Beginning of a New Journey 08:25 - Starting the Event Company 11:10 - Pain But Passion 15:53 - Event Production 21:56 - Event Expenses 25:29 - The Experience 29:43 - Hennessy Artistry 31:45 - Marketing 35:03 - Source of Inspiration 39:17 - Proud Moment 40:42 - Crossfit 42:53 - State of Mind 49:06 - Advice for Young Promoters 50:20 - Being a Girl Dad 51:52 - Gem Pull 52:36 - What's Next 57:14 - Listening to Feedback 59:39 - First Impression 1:03:30 - Last Words

Damian has earned an impressive list of accolades throughout his career, including:•Caribbean Chef of the Year 2016•Barbados Chef of the Year 2016 and 2018•Seafood Chef of the Year 2017•BHTA Pastry Chef 2019•NIFA Chef of the Year 2016A pioneer in Caribbean cuisine, Damian's journey began as a troubled student at St. Michael's school, where a Food and Nutrition class unexpectedly sparked his culinary passion. His supportive teacher's belief in him proved transformative.After studying abroad, he started at The Cliff restaurant handling basic prep work, learning the value of earning respect from the ground up. His career flourished with the opening of Cocktail Kitchen, where he prioritizes hiring local culinary students.As a feature chef at the Food and Rum Festival since 2017, he promotes Barbados alongside renowned chefs who inspired him. Despite his success, he stays grounded - admitting to loving chicken nuggets and being candid about kitchen pressures and holiday sacrifices.Known for his shy nature and authentic Barbadian accent, Damian remains true to himself. He's now expanding his horizons with a new Mediterranean-Caribbean fusion restaurant, while advocating for aspiring chefs to understand both the passion and sacrifices required in the culinary world.His story exemplifies how determination, humility, and staying authentic can transform a challenging start into culinary excellence.💎Sign up for our newsletter: https://bio.fewwture.com/ - scroll to Join The TribeFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gemsfromfriends/ This season is made possible in part by the Cultural Industries Development Fund of the National Cultural Foundation of BarbadosGratitude 🙏🏽