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Hans Des Vignes has been on our TV screens and our radios for the past fifteen years. When he isn’t hosting his morning show on one of the popular urban outlets, or playing at popular events with the Diego Martians, he is lending his voice to causes or brands that he supports.  With ACCA certification, he could easily be a “figures man,” working with a big name company, but instead, he is pursuing what he loves and that is media and entertainment. Here’s what he told MENtions about his journey:

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Growing up, I thought I was poor because I went to a private primary school and never wore brand name sneakers like my peers at the time. When I went to Diego Martin  Secondary and actually had friends that lived in two-bedroom apartments with a family of six and friends that couldn’t afford books or glasses, I really got a better understanding of situations and I realised opinions are really based on comparisons.

I grew up in Diamond Vale. I remember when I was five years old, I washed my mother’s car and she gave me $5 as payment. When she fell asleep, I woke her up and asked her if she could take me to the grocery to buy a kiss cake with my earnings. She said “No, I’m sleeping.”  But I was five, so ten minutes later I went back to her and asked if I could go alone. In her semi-conscious state, she said yes. For more than an hour after she woke up, I was missing. I got licks for this when I got home.

When I was in my twenties, I was having a conversation with my mother and she brought it up. She said you know I really shouldn’t have beat you and she apologized. But I have a child now and I know her reaction then was out of fear because her child was missing.

I was always different but when you’re young, you try to figure out and be what’s “normal”. I didn’t think being a radio and television presenter was a possibility but it’s what I wanted. People don’t always see the dream and the people you think will support you, sometimes just don’t.

My parents were into hard-core education. They always supported me but not always in the way I wanted them to. They did their best and because of them, I firmly believe in academic education but I also believe people must pursue their passions.  At one point, I decided to become a pilot but life guided me in the direction I needed to go.

I got 1s and 2s in CXC, did broadcasting courses on presenting and learned the skills to DJ. I completed CAT then completed ACCA. I even went to the UK to do a broadcasting course. My greatest education came from non-formal environments. I used to go to websites and research the stories of people that made it. I was and still am a student.

Lisa Wickham gave me an opportunity and at a very young age. She allowed me to manage E Zone entertainment. Peter C Lewis provided opportunities as well. From O’Brian Haynes to Derrick Lewis: they all gave advice and/or presented platforms.  Being on radio and TV each time is a key achievement. The assets I have are key achievements. Every time the crowd moves when I’m on the mic, seeing my son learn and grow every day are key achievements because I work hard on these things.

Every day I encounter closed doors but you learn to knock down the door, use another one or create one. Sometimes people doubt the ideas you have faith in and it makes you feel inferior because each idea is like a child. Can you imagine someone telling you your child is not good enough to be given life or it’s not his time to breathe? Sometimes you pitch ideas and they turn out to be nothing. Most ideas never get past the pitch stage so I only count the wins.

I’ve always been grateful to be able to be paid from doing what I love. In these times I hope when we get back to normal we never take these things for granted.

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You can find Hans on 94.1 Boom Champions. You can also follow Hans on IG to tune in to his new mini feature: “What’s Good?”