Kevin Lyttle Faces Backlash: 20-Year Milestone of Iconic Track Eclipsed by Controversy

Ever caught yourself bobbing your head to a song that somehow feels both timeless and annoyingly catchy? If you’re nodding right now, chances are you’ve danced, or at least tapped your foot, to Kevin Lyttle’s “Turn Me On” at some point. But here’s a thought-provoking question: Can a song you've adored for years still hold up when its creator sings it today? Kevin Lyttle, the voice behind this Caribbean classic, recently faced that very scrutiny, and it’s got us all pondering the nature of nostalgia and performance in the modern digital era.

Back in 2003, Kevin, from the picturesque Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, struck gold with “Turn Me On,” hitting the charts with such a banger that it’s remained a club favorite for cool-kid nights ever since. Yet, fast forward to now, and the internet, that modern coliseum of public opinion, has some folks arguing that maybe, just maybe, his voice has lost its former luster. But let me, with all my quirky insights and a touch of Craig Ferguson flair, ask you, was it really about his voice, or was it more about the collective memory tied to that song?

Kevin’s recent a capella performance stirred the pot quite a bit. Critics were quick to pounce, some even humorously noting that his singing sounded like an out-of-tune karaoke session. Yet, here’s the thing—our cultural touchstones often don’t age the way we expect. They can either become a cherished memory or a slightly awkward reality when revisited. But here’s a twist to consider: Could it be that Kevin was just having a bad performance day? Singers, like athletes, have their off moments. Plus, the lack of Alison Hinds, his original duet partner for “Turn Me On”, might’ve played a role in that nostalgic dissonance.

Now, for those quick to comment on social media platforms like Instagram with jibes and laughter, perhaps we should ask ourselves: How many of us have crafted a song that’s not only catchy but survived the brutal test of time? It’s not just about singing; it’s about the courage to step up, mic in hand, ready to have a moment at the drop of a hat. And in that spirit, let’s raise a glass, or should I say, a mimosa to Kevin. After all, he’s still jamming, still performing, and still, in

You might not have heard of Kevin Lyttle but if you’re over the age of 20 then you will almost certainly have heard his classic song ‘Turn Me On’ at one point or another.

The singer, from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, hit number two in the charts with the absolute banger back in 2003 and it’s been a staple at pretty much every (cool) club night ever since.

It’s difficult to judge people’s music tastes these days, especially considering the people at Coachella didn’t even recognise Brian May when Benson Boone brought him out for his show, but ‘Turn Me On’ is one of those tunes which you surely cannot hate.

The Caribbean performer also released slightly less successful tunes such as ‘Midnight’ and ‘Drive Me Crazy’, and featured on three singles in 2024, which suggests that he still has faith in his own ability to perform.

Kevin Lyttle is a cool dude (Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Kevin, who is now 48, was asked to perform while on the Pedis & Mimosas podcast back in 2019 and people were quick to criticise, claiming his voice isn’t what it used to be.

Or maybe he was just having a bad day.

He also didn’t have Alison Hinds alongside him, who also performed the hit 2003 release.

Commenters on Instagram wrote: “The song was so catchy I never realised how terrible he was singing lol.”

Another said: “Bro butchered his own song omg,” while a third wrote: “He was fighting for his life.”

Another said: “This is exactly how I sound singing it in the car.”

A fifth added: “That ain’t how I remember it being sung.”

In a world where people are seemingly obsessed with bringing other people down, particularly on social media, it’s probably worth asking those commenters how many number two singles they’ve had in the music charts.

From a completely objective point of view, Kevin’s a capella performance isn’t quite as catchy as the original release, but he’s clearly having a bit of fun with it.

It also takes a lot of confidence to just start singing at a moment’s notice, so you’ve got to hand that to him as well.

This was the view of another commenter who said: “She set HIM UP and I don’t like that! This song will forever and always be a classic banger.”

Sharing the clip last week on TikTok, the Pedis & Mimosas team also didn’t seem to think he did that bad a job, writing: “Shannon [Mack] put him on the spot and asked him to sing the intro to his iconic hit ‘Turn Me On’. He delivered it a capella, remixed it in real time, and even gave Shannon a special shoutout.

“It was smooth. It was nostalgic. And yes—he sounded just like the track.”

Don’t worry Kevin, we still love you, and ‘Turn Me On’ will always be on my music playlist.

LADbible has contacted Kevin Lyttle’s representatives for comment.