Meet Kylen Dent | Concert & Event Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kylen Dent and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kylen, what role has risk played in your life or career?
When I contemplate the concept of risks, I fundamentally view them as opportunities. I am a firm believer that every individual’s life is akin to a movie, with ourselves in the starring role. In my personal narrative, I see myself as the main character. Now, consider this: Who would want to watch a movie that lacks risks, lacks those unexpected twists, those exhilarating highs, and those challenging lows?

In my perspective, achieving a successful, meaningful, or even a happy life necessitates embracing a complete and diverse set of experiences. And a significant portion of these experiences comes to fruition through taking risks. It involves stepping out into the unknown, having faith, and trusting that this is where miracles occur, where the divine intervenes. Similar to the thrilling journey of a roller coaster, a life worth living is also inherently risky.

Think about a roller coaster ride as a metaphor for life’s risks. It begins with the initial risk of investing your time, waiting in long lines just for the opportunity to embark on the adventure. Then, once you’re strapped in, there’s a sense of vulnerability as you risk your safety, albeit in a controlled environment. As the roller coaster hurtles forward, it presents you with a series of unexpected twists and turns, thrilling ups and heart-pounding downs, all of which contribute to the overall excitement of the experience.

Some of the best experiences of my were risky decisions, from embarking on a four day road trip to my dream school (Morehouse College) after I had been accepted and offered no money, resulting in a full scholarship through the Bonner Scholarship. Or curating concerts with little to no money, which resulted in performances from anyone from Skilla Baby and Domani Harris to Lil Baby and Drake.

So, to me, risks are like the elements that make life truly remarkable. They are the unpredictable plot twists, the steep climbs, and the exhilarating descents in the movie of our lives. Embracing these risks, stepping into the unknown, is akin to taking a ride on a roller coaster—the very essence of a life well-lived.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Certainly, my professional journey has been shaped by a blend of diverse experiences and a determined spirit. To answer your question about how I arrived at my current professional standing and whether it was easy, let me take you through my journey.

I attribute my current position to my upbringing, which involved a unique blend of Atlanta and San Diego cultures during various stages of my childhood. This interplay between seemingly opposing environments provided me with a wealth of diversity and adaptability, characteristics that have greatly influenced my creativity, work, and relationships.

Throughout my formative years, I engaged in a wide array of conventional sports, ranging from football to baseball, soccer to lacrosse, and even swimming. Concurrently, I explored my creative side through participation in the performing and media arts. I had the privilege of dancing under the guidance of Debbie Allen, modeling for Nike, acting alongside LeBron James, and technical directing with Microsoft, all before turning 18—an extraordinary blessing considering my background.

In my early years, some may have cited the saying “a jack of all trades is a master of none” to describe my varied interests. However, it wasn’t until I reached college that I discovered the complete version of that adage: “…but a jack of all trades is still better than a master of one.” This revelation became the guiding principle behind my journey.

Was it easy? Far from it. I grew up as a black kid in inner-city California while hailing from Atlanta, and I constantly grappled with societal stereotypes and the limitations society tried to impose on me. Nevertheless, these experiences became the crucible in which I forged my resilience and innovative thinking, allowing me to channel these challenges into creative solutions that I now apply in my work with people from all walks of life.

In my role as a Creative, my mission transcends mere bookings, venue rentals, or ticket sales. Instead, I’m entrusted with the responsibility of conceiving an idea, sharing it with others, and nurturing it from a theoretical concept into a tangible reality. This philosophy gave rise to the brand I initiated during my college years: iHai, which stands for “I have an idea creative solutions.” It revolves around providing creative solutions to creative challenges.

One of my proudest achievements to date has been the organization and curation of “Morehouse X Spelman’s Homecoming 2023” week of events, particularly the hip-hop concert held in Forbes Arena. The event featured headliners like 21 Savage and included notable acts such as King Combs, Ruby Rose, Trinidad James, Rae Sremmurd, Lil Yachty, and most notably, Drake, who used this platform to announce the collaborative project “Her Loss” with 21 Savage. While I certainly didn’t accomplish this feat on my own, I had the privilege of contributing to it as a student and aligning my brand with well-established names such as 6 Degrees, Grassroots Productions, and Fly Guy DC.

This remarkable experience catapulted my career and garnered recognition from renowned companies such as Universal Music Group, Apple, Propel/Ed Farm, and United Talent Agency (UTA). Notably, Creative Artist Agency (CAA) took particular notice of my contributions. In light of these opportunities and my passion for pushing the boundaries of the entertainment industry, I have since relocated to Los Angeles. Here, I am pursuing a career with CAA, with the aim of propelling my professional journey and advancing the cultural landscape of the entertainment industry.

So, what sets me apart from others? I would say it’s a combination of my versatile training, rich experiences, and my unique ability to collaborate with others to transform even the most remotely accessible dreams into tangible realities.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This might be the hardest question yet and riddled with free advertisement so if the places named are looking for influencers I’m available. First, shout out my best friend, you know what it is, “TKO”. Now if he was coming to LA, it would be a very new experience for him because he’s from Austell Georgia, which is a very different environment to say the least.

First and foremost I would have to take him to a “taco shop”. Mind you, we are not going to a taco “truck” but a taco “shop”. I’ll drive all the way back to San Diego if I have to because they’re a staple for California Burritos. We would also have to eat at Roscoes Chicken & Waffles just so I can prove to him it’s superior to Waffle House. Also, on the agenda would have to be Chick-fil-A because anyone who knows him knows he is a connoisseur of all foods CFA and perhaps their biggest foodie. Then I’d introduce him to Louisiana Fried Chicken to get an authentic LA experience. I could honestly stand to be introduced to more eating experiences in LA, so I’m open to suggestions.

Now I haven’t been back to LA in my adulthood so we will probably bar crawl with my local homies and hope for the best when it comes to drinks. Next would have to catch a Laker game and or a Clippers game (long live the Staples center). Tailgating at the collegium for USC games on Saturdays is an experience. Then hit the “Greek Games” softball tournament on Sunday by the SoFi stadium. Although it’s a tourist trap, we could swing by Venice Beach and the Santa Monica pier. And and at some point along the trip, introduce him to LA fashion by hitting the thrift shops and hype stores nested on Melrose and some more on Fairfax and maybe even the garment district. At some point I’d stop by the art museums around the city and swing by the former Magic Johnson theatre I went to as a teen leaving Debbie Allen Dance Academy and walk him through some of the culture that rests in the history of Los Angeles.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow…I can respect and appreciate this portion of the interview because it’s so important to give credit where credit is due!

First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to God, whose unwavering support has empowered me to excel in my natural pursuits. I also want to extend my thanks to my village, which includes my beloved family and friends. My father, who set a remarkable example for me, and my mother, whose challenges pushed me to constantly strive for improvement, deserve special recognition. Additionally, my brothers and sisters have played an essential role in holding me accountable throughout my journey.

I am grateful that Amir introduced me to this esteemed publication. Huge thanks to my community in the Southeast San Diego, CA–namely the Lincoln Park community. Furthermore, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the profound growth and maturation I experienced during my time at the illustrious Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA). This decision ranks among the best I’ve made to date.

Lastly, I must underscore the invaluable lessons and relationships that I’ve gained through my affiliation with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Rho chapter). The bonds forged within this fraternity have been instrumental in my personal growth, teaching me the importance of camaraderie, leadership, and community.

In addition to these formative experiences, my personal philosophy has been significantly influenced by three seminal books: “The Four Agreements”, “The Alchemist”, and “The Way of the Superior Man.” These literary works have been profound sources of wisdom, molding my beliefs and guiding my path towards personal and spiritual growth.

Website: coming soon…

Instagram: @kylen_thegreat / @_ihai_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dentkylen/

Twitter: @kylen_thegreat

Other: FanBase: @kylen_thegreat

Image Credits
Campus Alliance for Student Activities (@morehousecasa), Mason Compton (@_madebymason), Chris Doomes (@chris.on.cam), Jaylen Sincere (@jaysyncere), First Floor Productions (@firstfloorprod), Demetrius Dumas (@meecheyes), McMillon Camp (@1konfilm), Kylen Dent (@kylen_thegreat)