Did we miss our chance to promote Bahamian Music during the Afro Centric period of African American music?

I was just mulling over a similar scenario with Reggae music. Bob Marley was instrumental in pushing a "message" of peace and progress for black people within reggae music. At the time when his music was popular, alot of things was going on in the world and his country concerning politica unrest and racial prejudice.

Did Bahamian music miss a similar golden opportunity during the afro-centric perios of African american music?
By not puhsing our own brand of afro-centrism in the same genre, and making a mint off of our own culture and African herritage?

What do yo guys think?

Did we miss our chance to promote Bahamian Music during the Afro Centric period of African American music?
I was just mulling over a similar scenario with Reggae music. Bob Marley was instrumental in pushing a "message" of peace and progress for black people within reggae music. At the time when his music was popular, alot of things was going on in the world and his country concerning politica unrest and racial prejudice.
Did Bahamian music miss a similar golden opportunity during the afro-centric perios of African american music?
By not puhsing our own brand of afro-centrism in the same genre, and making a mint off of our own culture and African herritage?
What do yo guys think?

its never too late...never! even if you feel we missed the boat...I believe more foreignors know about a joesph spence or the imagery and magical ability of exuma anyday...hek im still discovering some african music myslef...fela and femi juti...ladysmith black mambozo...hugh masekela...all this afro-brazilian stufff...the afro cuban jazz...jazz period! mandrill...there is so much good music out there...so much...and Bahamian music sound nothing like it...nothing...though it has elements...what we have is a good thing...and when the world finds out about the rest of what we have to offer...man oh man!


I text dis gal...she text me back! lol

its never too late...never!
I text dis gal...she text me back! lol


You think that Bahamian music should make parodies on technology, and the perception that Island people are backward an inept?
To hear Island people talk about tech really would be funny, and hip at the same time.

Maybe Avvy is spot on!
:)

You think that Bahamian music should make parodies on technology, and the perception that Island people are backward an inept?
To hear Island people talk about tech really would be funny, and hip at the same time.
Maybe Avvy is spot on!
:)

we are still in the world...even if its on an archipelago...hell I know Im more culturally inclined and worldly than someone in the rural florida peninsula...and that means nothing at all...besides, who cares about what others thinlk about us...its more of what we think of ourselves...let them have them erroneous perception...that's their problem.

we are still in the world...even if its on an archipelago...hell I know Im more culturally inclined and worldly than someone in the rural florida peninsula...and that means nothing at all...besides, who cares about what others thinlk about us...its more of what we think of ourselves...let them have them erroneous perception...that's their problem.


Where did that come from?
All I am saying is that, we can be more profitable in Bahamian music if we market it towards some type of genre...I brought up that we should make our music videos into more parodies...that would speak to a consensus sentiment.
i.e. technology!

The main reason why Bahamian music has not really captured local attention and international attention, is because it really has no message. All it is is happy music all the time. That's why tourists love it so much, cuz they get drunk and dance like they're having a seisure.

Songs like "Civil Servant" and "Catch da Crab" are fine and dandy, because it relates to Bahamian life and culture, but there are few songs which Bahamians can relate to or appreciate. When Bahamians start putting messages into their songs, then more people will really want to listen, and it will really take off.

There are so many issues that Bahamian artists can speak about in their songs, but they don't. I can count on one hand, the songs that inspire Bahamian people to be better Bahamians, better people. I can't think of any that speak to the youth growing up, and try to encourage them; none that sympathise with single mothers struggling to provide for their families; none trying to demote violence, etc., hardly any which speak on the preservation of our beautiful islands (AND THE SALE OF THEM!).

Anyone can make a happy-party song: Stevie-S, Nita, Sweet Emily, Terez Hepburn......all of them, I call them happy-artists. I could go on, and on, but everyone should understand my point. Bahamian artists need a MESSAGE in their music, and until our artists come to understand this, they will never get the kind of attention and recognition they are capable of garnering.

I am in complete agreement with the issues identified by "Rizzo".
When I came to the Bahamas (Nassau,NP) recently I was surprised by the lack of "Bahamaian" music played in clubs, and or broadcast from the radio.
At best one hears a mixture of Jamaican Reggae, and or "Oldies"; mostly american-pop.

I am not like most tourist I really like to get into the people, and culture of the place where I visit, but the Bahamas really didn't show much culturally.
Maybe it was because we came there so close to the 2005 Jamaican Independence day that there was so much Reggae music played, but noted very few Bahamian artist. The only music noted that I remembered was a house band playing "Funky Nassau" every night.

Wondering if this situation is the same on the other "Family Islands" such as Grand Bahamas, and the Abacos Island.
Peace Folks.:bye:

i disagree...people from trinidad, grenada, etc support their own music and it's for the most part high energy party music. bahamians are just brainwashed by jamaica and the US. why? i still have no idea. i may listen to rap (mostly underground) and roots and culture (very rarely) music but that's only for entertainment sake...i dont lie to myself and make it sound as if i'm living in the conditions they're preaching against. bahamians just dont care about their own unless they get recognition outside of the 242.

I am in complete agreement with the issues identified by "Rizzo".
When I came to the Bahamas (Nassau,NP) recently I was surprised by the lack of "Bahamaian" music played in clubs, and or broadcast from the radio.
At best one hears a mixture of Jamaican Reggae, and or "Oldies"; mostly american-pop.
I am not like most tourist I really like to get into the people, and culture of the place where I visit, but the Bahamas really didn't show much culturally.
Maybe it was because we came there so close to the 2005 Jamaican Independence day that there was so much Reggae music played, but noted very few Bahamian artist. The only music noted that I remembered was a house band playing "Funky Nassau" every night.
Wondering if this situation is the same on the other "Family Islands" such as Grand Bahamas, and the Abacos Island.
Peace Folks.:bye:


we have hogheads and ratty sweeting and native sons on harbour island and eleuthera playing traditional calypso songs with an exceptional rock beat ('cept for native sons, who are all acoustic), but none of these guys are getting a record label anytime soon if you know what i mean. they sound great, don't get me wrong, but the island doesn't have CD recording facilities that they can access ... and these are working guys who can't afford to get into nassau to press an album. and we don't have a radio station that comes out to cover live events, either, which topic i have taken up with island fm and splash fm MORE than once:hammer: ...

the out island homecoming events and weekly fish frys might be the one place to look for local bahamian music year round ... until guy fawkes day hits and the sounds of the junkanoo rush practice fills the air.

reggae music took off globally when bob marley was discovered and produced by chris blackwell, international music promoter with big bucks. until an outside promoter sees the saleability of our music it will go nowhere. and the message is not really all that important for it to be a success on a world scale. jamiacan artists made plenty money singing hate against the police and homosexuals. a good theme to make an impression on a world scale is any song about love or a breakup between two people.

i disagree...people from trinidad, grenada, etc support their own music and it's for the most part high energy party music. bahamians are just brainwashed by jamaica and the US. why? i still have no idea. i may listen to rap (mostly underground) and roots and culture (very rarely) music but that's only for entertainment sake...i dont lie to myself and make it sound as if i'm living in the conditions they're preaching against. bahamians just dont care about their own unless they get recognition outside of the 242.


f.y.i.

practically the only time trinidadians listen to soca is when trini carnival roll around.. outside of that its pure reggae and us music.