If you’ve ever found yourself moving through the sphere of Caribbean TikTok, chances are you’ve come across content created by Marquis Knight.

A proud Bajan and passionate lover of all things Caribbean, his content is a potent mix of fun and educational content which focusses on the region.

Here, we explore how Marquis’ love for the region transcends pixels, captivating audiences and teaching them about his Caribbean home.

YCG: We see a lot of you on social media, but can you tell us a bit about Marquis the man? Who are you when you’re not creating content? (Where you’re from, hobbies…anything that defines you really)

MARQUIS: Who is Marquis? Well, I’m an Intellectually Charming young lad representing the beautiful Island of Barbados, and a resident of Boston, Massachusetts, USA. I’m a lover of the arts, and its various forms of creative storytelling. When I’m not in front of the camera, I have a book in hand, or a pen and paper within reach, ready to embark on a new literary journey. I’ve always had a fascination with the human experience, and how history shapes our cultural identities. I’m also very much a member of my generation, and will easily spend hours flipping between Instagram, YouTube, and my beloved TikTok. But my greatest love is CARNIVAL! If I could get paid to be a masquerader I would. There’s nothing like putting on a costume and chipping down the road with 6 or 7 flags, at least. (And I’m pretty skilled in the kitchen, just thought I’d throw that out there.)

YCG: What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

MARQUIS: Many people know me as this extroverted character. A social butterfly, that will chase a fete, in and out of the jump up season. Now I can’t lie, that is me, but to an extent. On a regular basis, I am a very quiet and reserved individual. I quite enjoy the peace that comes with solitude, and revel in my own company.

YCG: Who/what sparked your content creation journey?

MARQUIS: When I was in high school, I came across a YouTuber by the named of Strictly Babbzy, a Bajan influencer residing in Canada. She was the first person I’d ever seen put out content speaking about Caribbean culture, and was hilarious on top of it. I learned so much watching Babbzy, and overtime thought to myself “I can do this”. It wasn’t until college, that I actually tried the YouTube route, after being told by many friends that I’d be “perfect” at it. “You’re such a people person” they would say, “you’ll blow up!” So I recorded a few videos, but my self doubt and insecurities got the better of me, and deleted them all. Fast forward a few years, and the world was taken over by COVID 19. Being inside all day with nothing to do was mentally taxing, so I did what everyone else was doing, and downloaded TikTok. It was there that I came across the likes of people like @goddessbebita, @deanhuertas, @_joeboss, and most importantly the Soca Influencer @blackie97. TikTokers who proudly represented the Caribbean, and during such a hard time. I told myself, “Hey if they can do it, I can do it!” So at the end of 2021, I posted my first video, and the rest is history.

YCG: What type of content do you enjoy creating the most?

MARQUIS: History & Music. I started my page off as a history based page, just posting random historical facts I knew off the top of my head. That eventually evolved into full own history lessons, and I love it. As for music, there’s something therapeutic when it comes to creating and posting such content. It’s beautiful to see people comment, “I haven’t heard this song in years” or “I’ve been looking for this song forever” and my favourite “Thank You for playing music from our country, we’re never represented.”

YCG: How do you maintain consistency in the quality of your content?

MARQUIS: I wake up thinking about content. At work I’m thinking about content. Before I go to bed I’m drafting ideas of videos I could create. This is truly a burning passion of mine. If I go days without posting a video, I get extremely irritable. Staying consistent doesn’t only keep my spirits up, but it keeps me educated and informed. I’m always researching for something new to discuss, and new ways to present it to the masses. It’s a full-time job that I can’t get enough of.

YCG: What has been the highlight of your journey as a content creator thus far?

MARQUIS: Reaching 50K followers was huge for me, I hope to reach 100K towards the middle of 2024. Also when influencers and celebrities I idolize started to follow me back, and even share my content. Such remarkable moments.

YCG: What in your experience, has been the biggest challenge associated with being a content creator?

MARQUIS: Not letting the negative comments bring you down. Not letting the nay sayers stop you from doing what you love to do.

YCG: A lot of your content is Caribbean-focused, where does your love for the region stem from?

MARQUIS: The music! From Soca to Zouk to Bachata to Ritmo Kombina, there’s so much life in the music of our region. Our ancestors used music as a form of rebellion, and today we embrace our freedom through the riddims we create, the drums we beat, the strings we strum, the horns we blow. There’s something about Caribbean music that you can’t help but love, and it’s something that we all share regardless of creed, race, ethnic origin, or language. Our music is our music, and nothing/no one can take that away from us.

YCG: How many Caribbean islands have you visited to date? Which is your fav and why?

MARQUIS: I’ve been to 9 Caribbean locations, Dominica, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Grenada, Trinidad, New Providence in The Bahamas, Grand Cayman in The Cayman Islands, Belize (Mainland Caribbean), and Barbados; which is of course my favourite since it’s home. But taking Bim out the equation, my next favourite would have to be Grenada. The pride Grenadians have in their culture and history is powerful, and they display this pride without fail especially through the Jab Jab.

YCG: Which Caribbean destination is at the top of your travel wish list and why?

MARQUIS: I have two, Curaçao and Roatán. I absolutely adore the Papiamentu language, and would love to learn how speak it, or at least learn the basics when I go to Curaçao.  As for Roatán, it’s an island I’ve always been interested in since I learned about the history of the Garifuna people, and their exile from St. Vincent to the Bay Islands, and I want to see what I else I can learn upon arrival.

YCG: What’s your favourite Caribbean dish?

MARQUIS: OX TAIL! I love Ox Tail, with Peas & Rice, with extra gravy drizzled on top, and an extra side serving of macaroni pie, and let’s throw in some cabbage in case my mother reads this; and wash it all down with a Ju-C, the red one of course!

YCG: What to you is the biggest misconception about Caribbean people?

MARQUIS: That we’re all the same. We’re all a bunch of beach-loving, weed smokers, with dreadlocks and reggae soundtracks blasting wherever we go.

YCG: What’s your guilty pleasure?

MARQUIS: I can binge-watch shows like Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, and The Crown for hours on end. Oh, and I love Country music!

YCG: What’s one thing that’s missing from your life right now?

MARQUIS: Love. I’m getting to that point in my life where I’m becoming financially stable. I have more self-esteem now than I ever have before. I have a career and a flourishing hobby that I plan on turning into a career. All I want now is someone to share this with.

YCG: What are you looking for in a partner?

MARQUIS: I’m looking for a woman that’s patient with me. A woman that’s willing to be my rock, and allow me to be her’s in return. A woman who’s respectful, intellectual, and open to experiencing the world with me, but also spends the day being lazy when ready. I want a best friend, someone I can crack jokes on at the most inappropriate times. I need myself a Carnival Baby like Lord Kitchener would say. My forever partner on the road.

YCG: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received and from whom?

MARQUIS: “Show your face”. When I first started making videos, they were only voice-overs. I didn’t think I was good-looking enough or had the best quality camera to actually show my face on video. It took three friends, each who had their own TikTok account, to convince me to show my face. “The people want to see the person teaching behind the facts” they’d say. “Consumers want to feel as though they can connect with you. They can’t do that with your camera off. So show your face”. They were right.

YCG: What advice do you have for aspiring content creators?

MARQUIS: Make sure this is a passion of yours. If you’re not genuinely interested in your content, you’ll burn out quickly, and if you’re in it specifically for money or to blow up… you’re going to have a rough time. You should love the content you create, so take your time with it. It won’t all do great, and that’s okay, as long as you enjoyed making it. Also, engage with your followers. They’re not just pictures and names on a screen, they’re real people who are following you because they see something in your work they like. Embrace them, adhere to their ideas, and take their constructive criticism. They will help you grow, and become like a second family. So stay consistent for yourself, but also for them.

YCG: What’s your biggest accomplishment to date?

MARQUIS: Graduating from basic training, and officially joining the U.S. Navy definitely takes the cake when it comes to accomplishments.

YCG: Can you share a bit about what led you to the US Navy? Is this something you always wanted to do?

Marquis:

YCG: What’s your biggest dream for the Caribbean region?

MARQUIS: Unity! I dream that Caribbean People can look past their differences, and become the powerhouse region I know we can be.

YCG:  What do you think can/should be done for the masses to understand that there is strength in numbers and to appreciate the differences that make us unique?

MARQUIS: It starts in the schools. We aren’t taught much about the parts of the Caribbean, outside of our linguistic communities. The history and culture of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean is foreign to the English Speakers, and vice versa. We need to teach our children from young that we’re one region. The Haitian Revolution isn’t just Haiti’s history, it’s all of ours. Same as the history of the United Fruit Company and the Panama Canal. This is our culture. Bélé is our culture. Bomba is our culture. Punta is our culture. Diwali is our culture. Sound systems is our culture. It belongs to all ah we.

Another thing we can do is become more inclusive. If you’re throwing an event labeled “Caribbean” then it should be just that, an equal representation of the region. Many small islanders have come to me, saying they feel left out. Same as many islanders outside the English Speaking Community. On a larger scale, there needs to be more inclusion in our Caribbean institutions like Caricom and The University Of The West Indies, both being primarily English-based.

YCG: What do you want your legacy to be?

MARQUIS: I want to leave behind a United Caribbean. A Caribbean where people from Anguilla and Bonaire are receiving the same amount of attention as those in Jamaica and Trinidad. I want people to hear my name and think, “that’s the man that never forgot us”. I want to be able to go to The Dominican Republic, and find Soca artistes. I want to go to Guyana, and find Konpa artistes. I want to encourage Caribbean leaders to make our Creoles national languages. A United Caribbean, that’s what I want my legacy to be.

YCG: What brings you the greatest joy?

MARQUIS: Sitting outside, with a cup of tea and a slice of sweet bread, watching the sun disappear on the horizon, as the whistling frogs chirp their evening tunes.

YCG: What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

MARQUIS: My Grandfather’s Bajan Flag pin that he wore to church every Sunday. My mother gave it to me as funeral a few years back, and told me he would’ve wanted me to have it. My grandfather raised me to be the man I am, so to wear his pin on my lapel is more than an honour.

YCG: Given the opportunity to address a group of people who has never been to the Caribbean, what would you say to get them to consider adding the region to their travel list?

MARQUIS: The Caribbean is the most place in the world. It’s a region full of timeless music that will make your hands raise, your hips sway, and your heart soar. It’s a collection of islands and mainland states with cuisine will leave your taste buds astounded. From the pink sand beach of Antigua, to the Mémorial de l’Anse Cafard of Martinique. From Junkanoo in The Bahamas to Crop Over in Barbados. This piece of Heaven on Earth is here, and waiting, to be enjoyed by one and all. Welcome to the paradise. Welcome to our home. Welcome to The CARIBBEAN.