With a combination of old school and new school Bahamian artists, the
Artist Pages on Island FM’s website seek to educate people about the
traditional forms of Bahamian music as well as the new genres explored by the
newer artists. Remember … it’s not just good music … it’s OUR music!
I RATE
Raymond John,
born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas is a self-taught guitarist and has been
writing and composing music for over eleven years. Describing his music as
“soul music”, John breaks down his music into a reggae fusion with hip-hop and
R&B. He is influenced by Life, Love, Truth and giving praises to the
most high. Upon his departure from high school, he began to perform at local
poetry readings and in coffee shops. In 1998 he formed a band called “Uprising”
consisting of a drummer, bass player and two guitarists.
His first
performance was at a local club, The Next Level, and weekend gigs at a downtown
Nassau club named Mangoes soon followed. He, along with the band, opened for
various popular reggae artists such as Capelton, Jr. Reid and Tanya Stephens at
a local concert in 1998 called “Peace on the Streets”. Due to lack of paid gigs
and support for artists in the Bahamas, soon afterwards the band split up.
It was then
that I Rate moved to Canada to record in his brother’s newly build studio.
Months passed as he and his brother spent many hours in the studio working on
the album “Burn Babylon Burn”, which is a mixture of reggae and hip hop. This
fueled the brothers to create their very own record label called Jah Love Live
Records. The first track from that album was “Keep the Joy” which was released
in 2001 .
Being very
disappointed by the lack of Bahamian support for local artists, I Rate took a
five year break from music and began to shift his focus to writing songs.
During this five year hiatus, he started to see a change in Bahamian music and
noticed that Bahamian artists were getting the positive feed-back that they
deserved. It was then that he decided to pick up where he left off five years before.
With the help
of Trez Allen of Freeport, Bahamas they agreed on the name I Rate and, along
with producer Ashanti Carey, went on to produce his first single as a solo act
called “Cyan Rule/Cyan Cool” that was released in April of 2008. Five months
later, also with hot shot producer Ashanti Carey, he produced his second single
“I Believe” with producer Patrick “Dreddy Star”Carey Jr. With a tremendous
amount of new found support for Bahamians, he has made major radio appearances
and headlines many local shows and International Concerts. Though he has
had a long journey, I Rate continues to perform and remain firm in his faith in
the Most High Jah. His hope is to touch hearts with his music.
JAMES CATALYN
A proud descendant of the Major and Dean clans of Long Island,
James explains that, although he was born in the city, he has always had an
“island mentality” - meaning he believed in hard work. He began his early
education in 1944 at Sands School (Eastern Prep), going on to Worrell
School/Victoria School in 1948 and then on to Eastern Senior School. At the age
of 16 he began writing poetry only letting those close to him, such as the late
Meta Davis Cumberbatch, read his poems. In 1979 he published his first
collection titled “Expressing Myself” which was dedicated to his mother, Ms.
Theresa Elizabeth Major.
This was followed by other works such as “Reading, Roasts and
Other Writings”. He also has a collection of prose about some of the Bahamas’
leading luminaries and political figures, a play about the use of drugs in the
Bahamas, “An’ a Don means Cola”, and “Nuff Said, and Poems – Religious and
Philosophical”.
Catalyn is also noted for the Bahamian musical hit “Guanahani”,
for which Andrew Curry wrote the music. (Taken from The Guardians’ Weekender
insert)Playwright, author, satirist, dialectologist, lecturer, actor, comedian,
producer, director, adjudicator, compere, town crier, lyricist are some of the
accomplishments of James Catalyn.
JAH HEM
Hailing from
West End Freeport, Bahamas and born September 1st, 1976, Hem
Benjamin Solomon found his voice during his early years in his father’s
church. When he and his family returned to Freeport from Bradenton, Florida
in 2003, he reacquainted himself with an old friend and formed the group
“Creason”. With the backing of Original Records, they produced an album called
“Jah Soldiers”. This album was never released and soon after the group split
due to personal issues.
Unable to deny
his passion for music any longer, in 2004 Hem join forces with Lion of Judah
records and Monty G where he was later introduced to the person who would
become his manager: Wallace “Trez” Allen. By this time Jah Hem had been the
opening act for just about every international artist who graced stages in the
Bahamas. While being a regular at many recording studios in Freeport, he
finally completed vocals for his his own album in 2005 called “Rise &
Shine”.
This Bahamian
Reggae artist has a voice that can only be described as fresh, smooth, silky,
rich and pure and has broken boundaries with his message of love. Gaining
himself the title of songwriter and singer, his hit singles “Can’t get you
outta my mind” and “Come here girl”, spiraled throughout the Caribbean and
touched the hearts of Reggae Lovers worldwide.
John Wilson – “Picolo The Preacher Man”
Born in Nassau, Bahamas on August 4th, 1944, through his music he has been able to provide for his family and build a name for himself. In his earlier days he worked as a waiter at major hotels in Nassau as well as Paradise Island Theatres.
Wilson sees fellow Bahamian artist such as Ezra Hepburn and Smokey 007 as his inspiration and channeled their energy when he first performed at “The Banana Boat”. He is most known for is hit song “All the Flowers”.
JOSEPH SPENCE
Born to a Baptist minister in Small Hope, Andros, Joseph Spence is
known world-wide as one of the best Bahamian musicians. Spence received his
early music education from an uncle who was a professor of music. Once he
became proficient on the guitar, along with his uncle playing the flute, a man
beating a drum and one hitting a tambourine, they began playing for gatherings
and dances. In these dances he would play quadrille dance, waltz, heel and toe
polka and the calypso round dance.
Other influences would include jazz, blues, boogie woogie and
country. Additionally, “anthems” and island songs made up the bulk of his repertoire
along with work songs commonly used by sponge fishermen, a group that Spence
was a part of on Andros. Never leaving his guitar behind, Spence, along with
his wife, worked on American farms during the time the United States contracted
laborers from the Bahamas. These years would take him to Georgia, the
Carolinas, Delaware and Tennessee where he would take the opportunity to expand
his vast repertoire of popular and sacred songs.
JULIEN THOMPSON
Born and raised in Nassau, Julien
had an undeniable urge to sing at a very young age. Growing up with a policeman
father and a school teacher mother there was no music around him yet he still
sang his heart out at every chance he had. Under the influence of Bob Marley,
Brian McKnight, Joe, Ronnie Butler and Boyz II Men, Julien listened to these
genres of music and fashioned his very own style of writing. At the age of twelve, Julien, while attending
church, met with other young men who shared his passion for music and they
formed EDJ.
Gaining popularity throughout the
Bahamas they went on to open for acts for main stream artists like Sean Paul,
Destiny’s Child, Babyface, Mariah Carey and Brian McKnight. With extreme
perseverance he got a job and devoted every cent into developing his music.
With only a keyboard, hand microphone, a g5 and a Mackie, he made his very own
makeshift studio in his bedroom. It was there that he fine-tuned his writing
and his vocals. Soon afterward he began
recording in professional studios and traveling.
In 2009 he teamed up with Dominic
McFadden (son of Gene McFadden) and his partner Phillip and together they
produced one of Julien’s biggest hits “Believe”. Compared to the famous Curtis Mayfield, his
smooth sounds and dynamic talents pushed his lyrical content, taking the
simplest subject matter and infusing it with love, wit, wisdom and an
uplifting, inspirational feeling.
KING ERIC GIBSON
Eric Gibson was born September
23, 1934 in Acklins, Bahamas into a musical family. He began to pursue a career
in music during the 1950’s, leading several musical bands and later forming
King Eric & The Knights in 1957.
Influenced by his environment, Eric
admits that he observed others and took life lessons from their mistakes. He
was then given the nickname Prophet for his decision to not smoke or
drink. His music is described as modern
calypso and gained instant popularity with the tourists. In 1966 Eric opened a
recording studio for other Bahamians to explore their musical talents. Later,
he opened a night club called “King & Knights” featuring his band and other
local talent. This club was later renamed the Blue Note in 2006.
IN 2004 Eric King Gibson was
invested with the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Civil Division)
as part of the Queen’s New Year Honors for 2004.
Kirkland “KB” Bodie
Born to Beatrice and Ortland
Bodie during the early 70’s in the Bahamas, KB admits to having no interest in
music as a child. Growing up he enjoyed riding around with his father,
listening to the radio. KB began his education in Martin Town, Eight Mile Rock
Primary & Secondary School. When his father decided to move the family to
Florida he continued his high school education at Hialeah High School in
Hialeah, Florida.
After returning home to Grand
Bahama following high school, KB began a series of odd jobs and began singing
at talent shows and special events in Grand Bahama. Soon an old childhood friend, Sid Rolle,
approached him about starting a band. Not knowing what that meant, he quickly
caught on and along with two other friends, Dave Cooper & George Delancey,
the group Ego Trip was born.
Inspired by fellow Bahamian
artists such as Tony McKay, Ronnie Butler, Jay Mitchell & Eddie Minnis, American
artists Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, KB decided to take on a solo career
and moved to Nassau in the early 90’s making his debut at the Family Island
Lounge on Soldier Road. During this time Kirkland Bodie would receive his
greatest success producing hits such as “She Fat”, “All the Meat”, “Start me
Up”, Bush Mechanic”, and “Annie” all
telling stories of island folk. Since then he has produced and written for
Sweet Emily, Nita, Funky D and Spice.
Leroy “Duke” Hanna
Veteran entertainer and Trade
Unionist, Duke Hanna, born September 7, 1933 at Bahamas General (now Princess
Margaret Hospital). In 2004, he was invested into the Most Excellent Order of
the British Empire (Civil Division) M.BE during the Queen’s New Year Honors at
the Government House. Having spent over 40 years in the trade union business, Duke
says it’s passion that drove him to support the musicians’ union. He is now one of the founders of the National
Congress of Trade Unions and the Trade Union Congress and is still today a
member.
MAUREEN DUVALIER
Maureen Verlene Duvalier,
known to many as the musical prodigy and the Queen of Junkanoo, was born in
Nassau May, 14, 1926. She admits that it was not easy being a female
entertainer during the 1950s. This was a time when women were looked down upon
for engaging in night-life and entertainment.
But in 1958, against the wishes of her mother, Maureen led sixteen woman
and sixteen men onto Bay Street as a group in the Junkanoo parade. Her first and only album, “Calypso Mama
Sings”, was recorded later that same year.
Knowing she was destined to
become an entertainer, she was excited to be hand -picked by the late Freddie
Munnings Sr. to work at the Silver Slipper Night Club. It was there where she was
inspired, along with Freddie Munnings, to introduce “Floor Shows” to the clubs’
line up. She has explored about forty of
the fifty United States while representing Tthe Bahamas. In 2004, along with
Leroy “Duke” Hanna and King Eric Gibson, she was invested with the Most
Excellent Order of the British Empire. Still confident in her ability and proud
of her Bahamian roots, she is still considered The Original Bahamian Diva.
MDEEZ
Living by the motto “seize the moment”, MDeez has always been
passionate about Caribbean music. At a young age he began spinning
records and writing songs, and, with the encouragement and urging of friends,
singing. With a style describes as written hip hop and reggae vocals, he has
always admired the works of such artists as Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Shabba
Ranks and Stevie Wonder.
In the game for over
fourteen years, Mdeez has performed at numerous clubs locally and internationally
such as the first BET’s Wrap It Up Tour. He also opened for one of the
world’s greatest rappers, NOTORIOUS BIG. MDeez has developed a style of hip
hop/reggae that infuses his passion for life and over the years has evolved
into an explosive artist. With his thought provoking metaphors and catchy
hooks, he has enough energy to rock the entire Bahamas.
N-CITY
In 2006 When Margaret
Glynatsis (Believe) and Crystal Moncur (Sky) decided to join forces and form
NCity, together they made magic. With their pop/hip hop style of music, NCity
describes their music as “radio friendly up beat dance music”. They are influenced
by international music icons like Michael Jackson, Missy Elliot, TLC, Marvin
Gaye, Keri Hilson, and SWV as well as Bahamas’ own Ronnie Butler, TADA &
KB. This dynamic duo made their way on the stages of “Steppin on the Shores” in
2007, performing their first hit “Mood is Right”.
Since that first performance,
they have graced the covers several magazines including “Stylezine Magazine”, “POSH
Magazine”, “NU Woman Magazine”, “RAGGA Magazine” (French), “Caribbean Beat
Magazine” and went on to produce other
hits such as “Like Me” and “Dancing in the Rain” which also had a remix with
Reggae sensation Ding Dong in 2008.
NEHEMIAH HIELD JR.
Nehemiah was born into a musical family in
Cooper’s Town, Abaco September 20, 1963. Nehemiah was educated at William
Gordon Primary School in Abaco, C. I. Gibson Junior School and R. M. Bailey
High School in Nassau. He began his career in the local music scene during his
years in high school. At the age of 16, Nehemiah was a bus boy and
competing in local
shows and nightclubs, playing pianos and performing his own lyrics.
Inspired by his children, Nehemiah is also inspired by other Bahamian
artist like Ronnie Butler and Smokey 007.
His success in the music industry has led him to five albums with Baha
Men “Junkanoo”, “Kalik”, “Here we go Again”, ‘Don’t Spank” “2 zero ohoh” and two solo albums “Nehemiah
from the Soul” and “Message of Love”.
NITA
Daughter of the famous entertainer Count Bernadino, Anita Ellis says
it’s all in the genes when it comes to her love of entertaining. With the
encouragement of her father urging her to do something in the field of music,
Nita admits she has always been more academically inclined rather than
musically. It was when she was introduced by her father to the Ann’s Town Steel
Band, Nita enjoyed the steel drums so much, she realized that being a musician
was her calling.
When asked if she prefers singing or playing the steel drums, she says
she considers herself an entertainer because her focus has always been to make
people laugh. Over the twenty years she
has spent in the entertainment industry she had produced a long line of hit
singles including: “Stick and Move”, “Letter from Miami”, “No Broke Man”, “Where
you Goin’ Nita”, and “Feelin da Feelin”.
Nita has also shown her talent to an array of celebrities including
music industry icon Quincy Jones, talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, boxing
promoter Don King and at super model Cindy Crawford’s wedding. Never planning to leave her music behind, she
desires to become a full time accountant.
NOVIE
Sonovia Pierre, affectionately called Novie, was born September 20, 1971 in Nassau, Bahamas. At the age of 17, she entered The College of the Bahamas to begin her studies. There she entered and won the Hal Jackson’s Miss Talented Teen Bahamas Scholarship Competition. After graduating from The College of the Bahamas, she furthered her education at The Florida Atlantic University where she received her teaching certificate and a Bachelor’s degree in Music.
After Novie completed her commitment to the Hal Jackson Competition in 1990, she became a member of popular Bahamian band Visage. Since becoming a part of the Visage family, she has written lyrics for about five of the group’s albums over the years. Her song “Still Need a Man” was a hit in the Caribbean during 2004 and can be found on VP record’s SOCA GOLD 2004. She’s sung with “Tingum Dem Band” and represented The Bahamas as an entertainer and vocalist in the Caribbean, United States and Canada.
Novie has recorded one solo album to date entitled “Nandi Songs”. Nandi means “Strong and Regal Woman.” She is constantly working on singles and her most recent Visage release is called “Six and a Half Dozen” recorded by Jason Ferguson of Buddha Riddims and with Dyson Knight, the song is affectionately known as “Man bad, woman bad”. Novie has also produced hits such as “Profilin”, “Brown Gal”, “When I dead- Oh lo lo” and “Mezanmie Cherie Mwen”.
PUZZLE
His curiosity about music began in the church when
Preston was five years old. He played instruments and sang along with the
church and over the years gained a certain respect for all genres of music. In
addition to his singing, he also writes and produces for himself as well as
other artists. Looking up to artists such as Brian McKnight, Usher, Michael
Jackson and Ne-Yo, Puzzle had collaborations including recording remixes at the
Hit Factory Criteria in Miami, Florida, working with Matt Knoble, the go to man
for International Recording artist Lenny Kravitz for his smash hit “Animal “, as
well as Miami hot shot producer Sugar Dip who produced “Hispanic Girls”.
His ultimate goal is to put the Bahamas on the map.
He performed at Carifesta held in Guyana and is the first Bahamian to have his
own tv show called “ A Day in the Life of Puzzle”. He has recorded with Johnny
Wright on his compound in Orlando, with producers in London England and came up
with the single “ Sour Vibe” which was recorded in Toronto, Canada
holding the number one spot for ten weeks.
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