BOOM! A KLR Magazine Premier Issue

Premier Issue 2014

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Season 2 Judges (L-R)- Christopher Roberts, Nadene Moss, Jonathan Farrington.

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42Untapped, a gospel music competition and reality series based in the Bahamas, just wrapped up their second season with a fresh group of contestants and new vision from Executive Producer Jasper Haeward. At the age of 21, Jasper can be described as a Bohemian Bahamian- artsy and eclectic, with a full understanding of her market's needs. Brought in for the second season by the show's creator and CEO of Elevation Records, Vince McDonald, Jasper's focus was on expanding the concept delivered in season one. During our interview, Jasper pointed out that "season one was more audition and compete, whereas this year you actually got to know the contestants..."

For Jasper this season was truly about expanding the reality show aspect. As a former producer and developer of youth programming for Guardian Radio Bahamas and founder of The Bahamas' Actors & Filmmakers Guild, Jasper is in touch with local media and the pop culture community. To cater to their desired market, 242Untapped expanded the show's format to include "challenges, behind the scenes footage, and each contestant's background story." As Jasper said, “This season it was more than just contestants with a mic, it was songwriters, and „ministers‟, people who fully understand the mission as a gospel artist.”

Executive Producer, Jasper Haeward

On the left- Show Creator Vince McDonald aka VMac

their talents in such a way that they are fully competitive on a global scale. This includes all aspects from personal development to developing their career and establishing themselves as a brand.

Another development for season 2 of 242Untapped was the amount of audience interaction. Not only did they host a number of live tapings but the viewing audience for season two had an opportunity to vote one contestant back in through online voting channels prior to the season finale, a live show that was produced by Cable Bahamas. Season 2 started with 10 contestants and the final 3 performed original songs on the night of the finale.

The winner‟s single was released that very night in addition to being awarded a $5,000 recording contract with Elevation Media which in-

Photos courtesy of Jasper Haeward & 242Untapped.com

From inception, 242Untapped was designed to "tap" into the talent the Bahamas has to offer, in particular as it relates to Gospel music. The Caribbean is full of talent, but the avenues for aspiring artists to develop these talents can often be few and far between. 242Untapped aims to take Bahamian artists and develop

cludes a full album, high quality music video for one of their singles, touring opportunities, and of course an undisclosed cash prize. When asked about the caliber of this season's contestants Jasper said with a smile, "I pity the judges." Indeed the auditions held in Nassau and Freeport brought out the nation's best and even selecting the 10 contestants for this season was a challenging task for the show's three judges, recording artist and vocal coach Nadene Moss, recording artist Jonathan Farrington, and a Gospel industry trailblazer Pastor Christopher Roberts.

Perhaps a less challenging task was selecting a philanthropic cause to promote and support. This season 242Untapped partnered with REACH, the Bahamas Resource and Educational source for Autism and other related Challenges. Contestants will participate in recording a public service announcement for REACH to be used in fostering greater awareness for Autism and related conditions. Moving forward 242Untapped aims to partner with one charitable organization every season to ensure that they too are contributing to the betterment of society not only through music but also by using the show's mass appeal to bring light to causes that need greater community support and understanding.

With season 3 in the works everyone is looking forward to a season of growth for 242Untapped. Jasper's ultimate goal as an Executive Producer is for people "to be inspired". "There's no limit to what can be done...," Jasper said, "[though] there are few people willing to do the groundwork for anything". Yet she and Vince, who also serves as one of the show's Executive Producers, have certainly put in the work to make 242Untapped the reality series to watch. If you missed it you an check out the second season of 242Untapped online. For more information check the mad media links from 242Untapped below. ď‚Ś

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A Tribute to Kevan “Kevi Kev” McKenzie (unedited) The Bible tells us in the book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 “There is time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens, a time to born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.”

Kevan McKenzie embraced the time and seasons of life with courage, vigor and determination, refusing to waste one moment but rather investing every drop with passion, conviction and purpose.

A Time to Be Born On April 13th, 1962 a bouncing baby boy was born to the late Bishop Hubert Stanley McKenzie and his wife the late Mother Lydia Mizpah McKenzie on the beautiful Island of New Providence. This godly couple blessed him with the name Kevan Marcus. It was widely accepted in the McKenzie household that Kevan was his mother’s “Golden Boy” and she encouraged him to develop and use his gifts and talents for the Lord at an early age. Kevan’s father also encouraged him to use every gift and talent he had for the Lord and was extremely proud of the fact that both Kevan and Dillon [his brother] followed in his footsteps as musicians, as their father was an accomplished piano player.

A Time to Learn Kevan attended the Columbus Primary School until the sixth grade. He later moved to the St. Anne’s High School where he graduated with the class of 1978. It was while at St.Anne’s High School a music teacher, wise and knowledgeable in the art of music, recognized a voice amongst his students that stood out from the other voices. That distinguishable voice belonged to young Kevan McKenzie. It would later develop into a signature voice, recognizable in the very first bar of any song he would sing over the next several decades. The teacher took the young promising vocalist under his tutelage until he graduated from this institution.

A Time to Sing “I had a talk with God last night. I cried Oh Lord please make things all right. He said he’d all my battles fight. I had a heart to heart talk with God, last night”. These were the lyrics to one of the very first songs that Kevan McKenzie sang as a child when he led the Church of God Temple Coconut Grove Youth Choir in gospel concerts all over New Providence. God had anointed Kevan Marcus McKenzie with the talent to write and sing, and Kevan had dedicated his talent to the Kingdom of God. Under the tutelage of Mrs. Patricia Bazard, the young student of Columbus Primary School participated in and won many singing awards at national competitions. His gift was honed and his love for God was instilled by his father Bishop Hubert McKenzie who played the piano and his mother Lydia McKenzie who led their weekly family devotions.

Photos by Torrell Glinton

After high school Kevan continued to blossom in the church headed by Rev. K.D.Josey. He sang in the choir taking many lead parts and never missed an opportunity to serenade the congregation that loved him and revered his talent. Each Sunday Kevan could be found in the choir loft. But blending into a choir was too confining for this gifted vocalist, he soon began to look for another avenue to release his talent. His search was not long. The Gospel Music Train was a new gospel band, having been recently formed to play contemporary gospel music. The band members wanted to move away from the traditional gospel music and carve out their niche in a virtually untapped music genre. Kevan sat in wrapped silence as the band went through its limited repertoire. He saw himself as a perfect fit for this particular band. It was a perfect fit for his unique voice.

Immediately after the performance he expressed his desire to join the Gospel Music Train. It took several months before his request was taken seriously. Kevan was finally invited to audition for the position of lead singer for the Train. That Saturday afternoon marked a turning point in the musical experience of the Gospel Music Train and Kevan McKenzie. Kevan’s talent as a ballad singer was extraordinary. He was so impressive, in fact, that the band changed its entire style to compliment the vocal style of this young gifted voice. For the next 10 years the Gospel Music Train performed with Kevan McKenzie as its lead singer. In that decade the group released two albums and later disbanded after ten years with most of its members moving on to other musical projects.

The end of this chapter was but the beginning of another chapter in the life Kevan McKenzie. Kevan’s ambitions for a solo career started to manifest itself even while he performed with the Gospel Music Train. Indeed he recorded his first single “Promised Land”

even as the group was in the decision making process. Immediately after the group disbanded Kevan went into the studio to record his first album “In Love Again” with producer Eddie Rolle at his Exotic Recording Studios. A few years after The Gospel Music Train, Kevan set his sight on the Commonwealth Song Competition. He was not only able to win the contest in the Bahamas, but Kevan went on to also win the international competition with an original composition called “Commonwealth Pie”.

This was quite a remarkable achievement when one considers the countries that participated in the contest such as India with a population of more than a billion people along with other English speaking countries like Australia [and] New Zealand. Kevan was invited to perform his victory song in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1991. He immediately assembled a band along with several background vocalists that included his brothers Humphrey and Dillon. Again Kevan took elements of the Gospel Music Train with him, using one member as his band leader. In Harare Kevan was spectacular. His performance evolved into a grand concert with President Mugabe in attendance. This was the high point in Kevan’s musical career. It was the one that put him on the international stage and gave him the recognition he so rightly deserved.

A Time to Create Kevan was considered by many to be the pioneer of the modern Bahamian Gospel sound, infusing the elements of Junkanoo and Rake & Scrape into a unique and fresh mix that no one had boldly captured before. He was also not afraid to challenge the mainstream concept of a song, of what people thought Gospel music should sound like and he faced every recording and performance with courage and confidence, sprinkling his audience with seeds of faith, hope, love and joy. He recorded and released his debut album “In Love Again” in the late 1980’s, injecting into the mostly traditional gospel music scene at the time, a fresh and more contemporary approach to local Gospel music.

The album spawned several hit songs like “Better”, “In Love Again”, “Too Much Crime” and “Promised Land”, which became one of his signature pieces and a concert favorite. Over the years, Kevan recorded along with his chart topping producer and brother, Dillon “D-Mac” McKenzie, a number of songs that captured the heart of the nation and the number one rotation spot on local radio stations. Some of these songs comprised his second project entitled “Still Going”.

In 2011, Kevan released his first double disc CD entitled “From My Heart to Yours-The Greatest Hits of Kevan “Kevi Kev” McKenzie”, which featured many of his most popular songs including “Junkanoo is Mine”, “Don’t Complain” featuring Dynamite Daisy, “Sunday Christian”, “Daddy’s are Special Too, “J.O.Y. Joy”, “Too Much Sinning ‘Bout De Place”, “Be A Man”, “Rise Again” and “Till Ya Dead”. This specially packaged album was released during a special concert that was held in Kevan’s honor, entitled “Come Together-A Tribute Concert in Honor of

Bahamian Gospel Legend Kevan “Kevi Kev” McKenzie”. This historic concert which was held on Friday, October 14th, 2011 at Bahamas Faith Ministries Diplomat Center was sold out and to date is considered the largest indoor Gospel music concert ever held in recent history [in the Bahamas]. The event brought together many of Kevan’s friends in the Gospel music industry on one stage and it also provided the perfect platform for Kevan, who gave one of his best live performances ever with the help of a specially assembled group of very talented musicians and singers.

In addition to winning the Commonwealth Song Competition, Kevan also won many awards throughout his career including several Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards for his solo recordings and for his vocal contribution to several projects by Bahamian musician and producer Chris Fox. With a passion for his country in his heart, in late 2012, Kevan recorded and released a strong yet socially conscience single called “Leave the Boundary Lines” for the Save Our Bahamas Vote No campaign.

The song was prominently used by the Vote No campaign in several of its promotional efforts during the recently held referendum on gambling in the Bahamas in January of 2013.

Kevan’s most recent focus however was on developing the budding music careers of his two (2) youngest sons, Karrington and Antuwan, who collaborated vocally on two (2) remakes of their father’s songs “Proud Lil Bahamians” and “Drivers Seat Remix”, the latter of which was produced by Sammi Starr. Kevan was also working on a few new songs for himself with his brother

Dillon and another greatest hits collection of his material with Kevin “Minister K” Harris who has compiled and packaged his first greatest hits CD. Kevan was also just recently selected by the Bahamas Faith Ministries Real Men Ministries International as one of 40 Men to be honored during their 40th Anniversary National Men’s Awards held on Friday, August 2nd, 2013 at the Diplomat Center. His family was to accept his award on his behalf and his son Karrington was to perform a special tribute to his father.

childhood home. It was because of his enormous talent in the electrical field that upon graduating from St Anne’s School he was eventually hired as an engineer at the Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation. However Kevan did not feel satisfied with where he was and decided to pursue his education further studying Engineering Technology at The Florida Institute of Technology. While completing his degree he lived with and became endeared to his Uncle Victor and Aunt Anna Ruth Newton of Ft Pierce, Florida. Later Kevan further embraced his calling to ministry and enhanced his ministry by completing a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical studies.

A Time to Worship Kevan loved to worship and he loved leading people into worship. This was one of his greatest passions and desires. He served as one of the praise and worship leaders at the Mt. Tabor Full Gospel Baptist Church for several years under the leadership of Bishop Neil C. Ellis and First Lady Patrice Ellis.

Later Kevan joined Bahamas Harvest Church under the leadership of Pastors Mario and Erica Moxey where he once again found himself on the front line of worship as a member of the praise team. Kevan lead worship at the 7am service at Bahamas Harvest Church faithfully for several years until he was no longer physically able to do so.

A Time to Grow Kevan was also an innovative thinker and had been known to dismantle and reassemble many electric gadgets around his

A Time to Build Kevan would later go on to combine his engineering expertise and musical genius and stepped out in faith to launch a recording studio in partnership with his brother Dillon. This new venture gave birth to Commonwealth Recording Studio which became a creative nest from which many gospel artists launched their careers, especially new and upcoming artists who may not have otherwise been afforded the opportunity to record and market their music.

After working with a local company, John Bull, for many years at their Business Center, Kevan felt the fire of entrepreneurism burning deep within and decided to once again step out in faith and follow his dream of owning and operating his own business. He launched ‘The Service Center’ located on Solider Road and under his leadership the business grew over the years into a thriving and successful enterprise. The Service

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Center also provided Kevan with a an opportunity to continue to improve his education while also offering training to many young men in the technology field, some of whom included Ricardo Taylor, Tava Newton and Anwar Rolle. His philosophy in life was “If I can help somebody as I travel on, then my living shall not be in vain.” Kevan truly lived his life in service to his fellow man. Kevan loved business and after his father passed he wanted to do something in honor of him so he ventured into the construction and development industry and was successful in launching “The Hubert McKenzie Estates”, a multi unit townhouse development located in the Sea Breeze area [New Providence, Bahamas].

A Time to Love It was the year 1992 when Kevan laid eyes on Angela at Bahamas Faith Ministries; it was Kevan and Angie’s place of worship.

This beautiful dark lady known to him as Angela Willie had caught Kevan’s eyes and indeed his interest. Kevan was desirous of meeting Angela and was asking questions about her from other members at Bahamas Faith Ministries. The opportunity arose during that same year at the wedding of his friend Roderick Pinder who was engaged to Angela’s Sister Juanita when Kevan made it his business and abruptly introduced himself to Angela and henceforth a friendship began. Kevan and Angela disconnected over the next few years and as it happened in the year 1999 the two once again reconnected and without telling the other, changed their place of worship and started attending Mount Tabor Full Gospel Baptist Church. In the year 2001 Kevan’s feelings were very strong and he indicated this to Angela, this was their fate and God’s plan for both of their lives; and as their place of worship changed, so did their friendship.

Kevan also made it known to Angela that he was ready to settle down and that he wanted to marry her. It was during the year of 2001 that Kevan and Angela both decided to court and later that year, Kevan told Angela that he did not want the year 2002 to come to an end without her by his side as his wife. Early in 2002 plans for the wedding began and on Friday, November 29th, 2002, Kevan made Angela Willie his wife. The newly married couple settled in with their sons Ashton and KJ who enjoyed the company of each other and did many things together. On March 30th, 2004 Kevan’s third and final son was born, Antuwan Kevan McKenzie. The joy expressed at knowing the conception of, and the birth of Antuwan was the talk of each and every day of Kevan’s life. He did many things with Antuwan and enjoyed taking him many places with him as well. It was while watching television at home 4 weeks prior to his passing; Angela noticed that Kevan was staring intensely and kind of strange at Antuwan as he sat playing on the computer. Concerned that she had never seen this look before, Angela asked Kevan, “why are you looking at Antuwan like that?” Kevan replied, “I love that boy so much, I’m gonna miss him.”

A Time for Family Kevan was a family man and loved all of his children dearly. He provided the daily needs for each and every child and made sure that they never lacked anything. Education was also a top priority for Kevan and he never pinched pennies to ensure that his

children attended the best schools. Family vacations were special and the events and occasions done during these times were very memorable. The entire family looked forward to this time.

Each child held a special place in Kevan’s heart, he loved them dearly. Kevra was his first child and only daughter and as “Daddy’s Girl” she captured Kevan’s heart and affection like only a daughter can. Kevan was very proud of Kevra as she followed in his mother’s footsteps by becoming a school teacher and he was especially grateful to God that he had the opportunity to walk his little girl down the aisle at her wedding in 2012, something all fathers long for. Kevra also blessed Kevan with his first grandchild, a beautiful baby girl named De’Ann, who quickly stole the spotlight from everyone else as the new apple of his eye. Ashton is Kevan’s second and oldest son and like his father he loves working with his hands and fixing things; this made Kevan very proud. Kevan was also extremely excited and proud to attend Ashton’s graduation from New England Tech with a degree in Auto Body Collision and Repair. Karrington is Kevan’s third child and he also followed in his father’s footsteps but in this instance as a singer and recording artist. Kevan would always beam with joy and excitement whenever he sat in the audience during any of Karrington’s performances, something Kevan would always boast about to his many friends in the music industry. Antuwan was Kevan’s last child and that meant he got to spend a lot of time with his father, often accompanying him on various business outings and to many ministry events. Kevan was also very proud of the creative skills that Antuwan was blessed with. So much so that Kevan spent the last few years writing and producing songs for both Karrington and Antuwan to perform together which was something that really injected a new sense of focus and energy in Kevan, knowing that his boys would be able to carry on the musical legacy he would leave behind.

Kevan also loved his siblings, Laverne, Humphrey, Judith and Dillon. He loved spending quality time with each of them and their families here in Nassau and with those who lived abroad in the United States. He would take time out to visit with his sister Laverne, her husband Jonathan and their children in Windsor Connecticut and visit his brother Humphrey, his wife Vicky and their children who live in Minnesota. He would make it a point to go and see them as often as he could and truly enjoyed every moment especially as it gave him an opportunity to have some fun with his nieces and nephews.

A Time to Give Having experienced the grace of God himself, Kevan was committed to assisting anyone in need. His generosity became known in the community, and his business became a place where people would come to receive assistance. Kevan would assist monetarily or through food items that he had purchased abroad along with his own family’s groceries. However, his passion for service was in prison ministry. He ministered regularly at Her Majesty’s Prison (New Providence, Bahamas), sowing seeds to rehabilitate the lives of prison inmates. He was a mentor to many young men and assisted them with job placement, finding living accommodations and encouraging them to live for the Lord.

A Time to Die

thy will be done.’

At the end of 2007, Kevan was diagnosed with colon cancer and began a valiant fight to regain his health. Even in the midst of his struggle, his faith remained strong. After initial treatment in the U.S. to fight the cancer, Kevan lost his health insurance coverage in April 2010 and had to begin paying out of pocket for his treatments. The less expensive alternative treatments were not as effective. In 2011, he was informed that his condition had worsened and the cancer tumors had started growing again. He continued the fight. In February 2013, after battling the disease for many years and being hit with the news of his mother’s battle with cancer, Kevan wrote the short biographical story titled “My God, Why me?” In this story, he described his fight with the disease and his questioning God. After facing the reality of the disease he wrote:

“After this revelation I knew that it was ok to have questions and some apprehensions concerning things that I may have to face as a result of having cancer, but I also realized that it wasn’t about me anymore; I really didn’t want to go through this, but like Jesus it was about fulfilling the purpose God had for my life and allowing His will to be done .”

“Life for me had suddenly drastically changed; I just did not have answers to so many questions, like, how could this happen when I led a pretty healthy lifestyle, no smoking or drinking, I ate healthy and I exercised often, plus I was praise leader for my church, I gave to the needy and I honored my parents? I truly thought that I did my best to honor God, how could He let this thing happen to me, his son? That’s when the scripture Matthew Ch. 26 v. 39 came to me. See, even Jesus while praying in Gethsemane felt like the instructions He had been given by His own father and the process that was to follow was just too much for him to bear. He did not want to have to endure the betrayal, the beatings, torture and pain, then the slow agonizing death on the cross, but he came to himself quickly when he said ‘nevertheless father not my will but

Further he concluded the story with the following statement: “I’ll keep believing, I’ll keep trusting and I keep my eyes lifted up to the heaven’s because despite my struggles, trials and disappointments I still realize that all of my help comes from the Lord.” 

Click to see the Kevan McKenzie Tribute Concert below...

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THE NEW FACE OF LUXURY BOOM! Magazine contributor Keith Rolle sits down for an intimate discussion with Giorgio Knowles, creator of the first Bahamian luxury timepiece.

Keith: You started a number of businesses over the years; one that comes to mind is Conchience Clothing. How long has it been since you had the idea for a designer watch company?

Giorgio: I just got the idea this year (2013), late January. But before then I was searching for something else to do. I was searching for something bigger than clothing. Something that had never been done before. Something that when you think about it would almost make you sit back and say, "It can't be done by a Bahamian."

I didn't know what it was but I kept my mind open; I kept my eyes open for a sign. I'm a very avid watch collector. Usually on my birthday, which is February 2nd, I would buy myself a timepiece and this particular time the watch I ordered never arrived... When I called the company they were like, "Oh that was the last watch and we sold it already." I was like, why get my hopes up, sell me the watch, then turn around and sell it to somebody else? So at that point I went into my zone and I was so angry with the company I was like, “You know what? I'm going to make my own watch." The lady at the company was like, "Oh well, you have fun with that.

If you think you could make your own watch then go ahead then." I would say that the average person might say that and *later+ be like "whatever"; but me, when I say something of that magnitude, I intend to follow through. So 9 months later, 2 different countries, 8 different suppliers, 2 different currencies, yeah, it came; it happened. The watch was done. I got the watch done within a matter of 6 to 7 months.

Keith: So LuCairi that's such a unique word yet, it sounds kind of Caribbean. What does LuCairi mean? Does it have special significance?

Giorgio: It does. LuCairi means "people of the island". The English translation is Lucayan, the Spanish translation is Lucayo and in Taino, the original Taino word is Lu Cu Cairi. When Christopher Columbus asked them *the native Bahamians+ what they call themselves they said, "Lu Cu Cairi". When I was searching for the brand name I was typing in Bahamian history and I saw the word Lu Cu Cairi and I said, “This is interesting... I didn't learn this is class.” From Conschience *Clothing+ I know that developing a brand, you have to separate yourself by doing something that has never been done before. Like

the way we spelled Conchience with a "conch", to symbolize the Bahamian theme to it. With Lu Cu Cairi I said, "I'm onto something!" I went to GoDaddy, I checked the domain and the domain was available, so I reserved it. But as I was developing the logo and the name I started saying, this may be too long for a brand, Lu Cu Cairi. When you think of the big watch companies it's always one word, Rolex, Timex, Omega, you know on and on. I said you know what, if I drop the Cu and use just LuCairi‌ and that's where it started, thinking outside the box, using my environment to give me inspiration; using my history.

K: It's cool that you found a way to connect to the history of the archipelago that we call the Bahamas today.

G: And especially how it was our 40th anniversary of independence, it tied right in. We were discovered by Christopher Columbus in that period in time. And now I'm launching a watch to represent that, to represent the discovery.

K: Now there aren't many examples in the local market of a brand like LuCairi. How did you strategize that? How did you begin?

G: What I always tell Bahamians who are starting any type of venture *is+ let your competitor be the world because your product would *sic+ actually increase. If you try to base yourself on a local market, your quality might fall because you aren't looking at a bigger market. When I look at a Rolex I say that's my competition. How do I get on a level like Rolex? How do I get there? Well, use the materials they use. Talk with some of the suppliers they use. Create your brand around that kind of luxury timepiece. That's what you have to do. Don't put yourself on equal footing with what you see in your country.

Look to the bigger brand. When I put out a product I ask myself, "Would I honestly buy this over a Rolex?" Man, Rolex is a hundred year old company and their watches retail for thousands of dollars. I look at the presentation. Presentation is key, especial in watches.

K: Okay, so give us a peep under the hood then. What does a LuCairi watch do?

G: A LuCairi watch is automatic movement, meaning it has no battery. It goes when you go.

When you sleep, it sleeps. It's a sapphire crystal *as+ all the top companies use sapphire crystal for the glass; *and+ 340L stainless steel, the highest quality stainless steel that all the big companies use.

The first watch, a limited edition piece, is a 650ft dive watch. The new Island Heritage is a 120ft dive watch. So that's the difference in prices. The new Island Heritage lands and retails at about $750 *USD/BSD+. That's one of the pieces I'm wearing now. Nobody has even seen this before. *Giorgio removes the watch and hands it to me+ K: What's this called?

G: This is the Island Heritage. This is the new line that I'm launching. Look deep.

K: Yeah, I see the islands of the Bahamas engraved into the dial... That's

very cool man. While I'm here, there are multiple colors here; you have a red, black, yellow on the right, a green on the bottom and looks like an orange on the left?

G: Yeah a bird orange.

I could have made a standard color watch but being from the Bahamas, we like flair‌ The colors represent that little drop of my surroundings, our inspiration, Junkanoo and stuff like that.

Especially when it comes with style, you want to be able to pair it with different things.

There's a hint of everything inside the dial so whether

you're wearing red or green or yellow you always pick up some type of color wearing the watch.

K: That's true. It would be reflected especially in a jacket or a blazer.

G: Exactly. Adding those little extra pieces is something that the brand represents.

That's what we do, you know, we add that little touch. Most watch companies have that standard color, but we from the islands like that flair. And it's not overbearing.

The colors aren't, like, so jumping on you where you can't wear it. It's subtle. You can feel the quality of the watch as you wear it.

K: That's a great creative process... You took all the time to create this beautiful timepiece man. How did you take a product and infuse it with the essence of the Bahamas like that? What was the inspiration?

G: My inspiration, I would say, was what's around me. When I look around me, this country in terms of color... We're very expressive in our color palate. Look right over Giorgio Knowles

here *pointing out the window of the coffee shop+. Orange with the yellow mixed with blue, you know, all of our government buildings have their flair. I also thought about our Junkanoo. I'm a big fan of Junkanoo and their use of colors always inspires me‌ Some may just think they slap those costumes together, but they design those costumes 6-7 months in advance. So I thought to myself, let me put that same type of quality into designing the watch. Let me make each detail count. And that's what it is. It's around the country, the islands, it's what inspires me. The people, they're not afraid to wear bold colors. So that's what I appreciate.

K: You mentioned that each specific watch design would tell a different story. Can you expound on that a little bit for us? This right here is the Island Heritage, but the first one was called...

G: That was called the 40th Independence...

I'm a new watch company *and+ the watch market is very large.

You have cheap watches *and+ expensive watches. These watch companies *have+ been around for hundreds of years. I thought to myself, "How do I

penetrate the market...?" Well, each watch represents something in our local market. The 40th Independence, obviously, is a tribute to our 40 years of independence. There's no watch available like that. It's the first time it's ever been done. So the target market for this... a watch collector, he sees it he wants it; a patriot, this is an independence watch, I want it. One of my buyers, they purchased it for their grandfather who contributed to the country. The 40th Independence is a representation of all the hard work that everybody put into building up to were we are now. With the Island Heritage, it has the same train of thought... As a Bahamian, when you have a conversation with someone, they always ask you, "Where your people from? Where you from? Long Island? Oh, you a Rolle, hey?" We like to identify with our heritage. I don't know why. I don't know what it is about identifying with a family island, but there's something special about this. Even though we're born in Nassau and we hardly go to our heritage island, we still like to identify with it and say, "Man, my people from Exu-

ma!" That's what this Island Heritage represents, you carry it with you.

K: ...that has the potential to be an heirloom.

G: Yeah, it does! Your island is on this watch. That's the reason behind the Island Heritage; it's you identifying with your roots.

K: That's awesome man. I know it takes a lot of planning to launch a business, but it also takes a lot of faith. What keeps you grounded?

Focused?

G: My family. My wife keeps me very grounded. Anytime I start spiraling out of control with ideas, she kind of brings me back down and says, "You need to focus on what's important." Every day I tell myself, "Focus, focus, focus..." because as an artist, your mind could just be going at one hundred miles an hour and you could mess up on the small details. Like right now even though I'm focusing on the watch, there's some other little side stuff that I'm working with the brand that I can't reveal yet, but it's important that I remember that my true goal is the watch‌ The brand is not going to end with just the watch.

G: It's actually a 50/50 because when I think about it, my step-father is an entrepreneur. He fed me a lot of books

K: Everything with you has always been associated with quality. If most people decide that they’re doing tshirts, they’re doing t-shirts. But to go beyond that to Polos and at one point you were doing hats, jeans...

G: Yeah, we had some samples, hats, belts, we were expanding. We were expanding, that's what it is. The problem why I didn't continue following through with Conchience at that time was the market started to become flooded with your “pop-up” clothing lines, as I would call it. No focus, no

Photos courtesy of Giorgio Knowles & LuCairi

K: You have a proven track record of identifying things you are passionate about and connecting with a receptive audience. What percentage of this is nature versus nurture?

at a young age. He exposed me to a lot of different conferences about being financially independent... On the other side, my nature… From when I was in grade 8, I realized that there was a void in terms of throwing parties. In grade 8, I started my own party company. *At+ 14/15 I saw the need for it and I started to throw parties… charged people money, and I carried it straight to grade 12. And that's how I developed a lot of my base as well...

So when I started Conchience *Clothing+, those same people I would throw parties for were able to purchase clothes. It's in my nature to… do something that's never been done... to do the impossible. I live and strive for that.

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quality just, "All my clothing line is 242!" That's not innovative. You took our area code and created a clothing line? To me, when you're creating something and you're going to put yourself to that level, be innovative.

Let it stand out. You know what I mean? If your clothing line is called Bahamian, that's not new, that's not serious... I was upset by the amount of companies that were popping up every day... Conchience no longer had this effect of being this *unique+ Bahamian brand because so many other things were popping up it started to water down the clothing. So I decided to pull it off the market. And then recently, my younger cousin who is at C.O.B. *College of the Bahamas, Nassau, Bahamas+, he revived it and he runs *the+ C.O.B. market.

K: You're also a bit of a social butterfly, how you speak of the party company and all that stuff. Does this come from your family life? How important is family to you?

G: Being social is a part of my personality. My father is very open. My mother is a socialable person. That's just in my nature... to be personable.

And you know, when you have a business, that's key... Even if I don't remember people's names I still hail

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I'm expanding into a lot of things that I like. See, I'm the type of person, like this David Yurman jewelry *I’m wearing+... If I knew I could design this, I literally would not wear this anymore.

I have a couple of his pieces; a very expensive jewelry line. I'm at the point now, where I realize I can design. I can do it, you know what I mean? And the problem with that is when I tell myself that, my mind shifts and I start working on jewelry, and then I leave focus on the watch. So, right now I'm trying to sway back into just time. I always say even though I create time, or I create time “pieces”, I don't have enough time. Time is always against me, every day. Even right now, launching the watch for Christmas in John Bull I'm against the clock *the John Bull launch was Dec 23rd+. All these watches are going to be in John Bull, but I'm against the clock. Time is always on my back. Always there playing hurry up...

Don't put yourself on equal footing with what you see in your country.

Look to the bigger brand.

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them… This is something my wife told me, from the poorest person to the richest I don't change how I deal with people. When I'm with my friends who from Lyford Cay… my friend who lives Carmichael Road… I don't let people around me change me. And that's what people appreciate from me. Always constant... no BS. You know how long you’ve known me Keith, you know me to change?

K: No, no man I don't.

G: That's what I'm saying. No matter what's going on.

K: You were married a year ago and together recently welcomed your first child into the world. Congratulations to you.

G: Thank you.

K: How have both experiences influenced the way you perceive the world, becoming a husband and becoming a father?

G: You know, it's a lot more responsibility on me now.

I realized when I started Conchience I was living in my mummy’s room; no care in the world. I could just make mistakes, very easily, and not feel the effects of it. Now that I'm married and have a child, I can't just take a couple dollars and throw it into something that I don't think is going to work... I have to support a family now... When I was doing the watch my son was on the way… and I'm like I'm pumping all this money into Giorgio & Lyric Knowles

this, if this fails, this is going to be very difficult for when he comes... The hospital bills, the this, the clothes, the pampers, the food, you know what I mean? So it made me tread more carefully now that I have a family… much more calculated. I don't just do it haphazardly in terms of making decisions. I make clear decisions now...

K: Legacy. What does this word means to you?

G: When I think of legacy, I think of where the brand could go. You know most watch companies don't mature until like the third generation.

K: Wow, I didn't know that!

G: Yeah... these watch companies are like 150 years old. So the reality is LuCairi probably wont see its glory until I'm long dead and my grandchildren *are+ running it. That's a hard reality or pill to swallow, but that's the truth.

I'm working hard now to set them up.

I'm thinking about my grandchildren...

This Island Heritage, the second watch in the company, 150 years from now, this would be a worth couple dollars, you know what I'm saying? So that's what I think about.

K: Alright, I noticed an original LuCairi design the other day. I think it was a Facebook photo.

G: Yeah, that was from the Island Heritage.

K: The Island Heritage?

G: That's Pearl-face Island Heritage.

K: Now, just making sure here...

G: …yeah, that's coming. That's the Pearl-face Island Heritage… We are launching the female line of LuCairi watches, as well. It's called the Crystal Ocean, that's the female line also available at John Bull.

K: Are you involved in business oriented organizations such as Junior Achievement?

G: I actually designed the website for junior achievement. I have a web development company as well... another side business that I do.

K: What would be the top 3 things you would advise young aspiring entrepreneurs to do to be successful?

G: Number one, understand your market. If you come up with an idea, try to figure out who you actually are going to sell to. If it's clothing, when you buy a shirt, it's not necessarily going to be targeted to everybody. So when you’re ordering, for instance, for when we were doing Conchience, how many larger shirts *do+ I need to order? Bahamians always wear more larger clothes than fitted clothes. So large would always be a bigger quantity to order than small. Bahamians don't wear small like that. So understand who you’re going to target first. See if it's actually viable. Number two, after you've figured that out, ask yourself, are you innovative? Are you doing something that's new and creative that people are going to buy into? Number three, control your spending... budget. I funded this watch company just off budgeting, good budgeting… that's all. You know, these young people want instant gratification. I was working on this for 9 months before this even went to the public.

I'd already spent so much… and people didn't even know what was going on. It just was one day, BAM! It's here... I didn't know if it would succeed or fail but I budgeted it to be successful. So if it did fail I'd say, "Ok, I lost this amount of money over a period of time. Not just in one lump sum..."

So that's why if it had failed I wouldn't have felt it so much.

cause you’re opening doors. You’re bringing me the right people and suppliers who seem trustworthy.” And you know, it worked out. Like this band *pointing to the Island Heritage watch+ is made somewhere else from the case…

And the crown is made from somewhere else. *The+ case back is made from somewhere else. If you look in here... it says, "Always On Island Time." It was like do or die man. To me, creativity is more powerful than knowledge…

Knowledge, you could read in a book. If you want to know about planes, you have plane school, flight school, you read in the book, you gain the knowledge of planes. Creativity can't be read. It just is. You understand? It's like God is the ultimate creative being. He just is creative. Knowledge is taught by reading, understanding, learning. People who are born creative have a gift. If you are born creative, use it.

When I wasn't being creative, I was going out of my mind. I was going crazy, ‘cause I have a gift and a talent and I wasn't using it. I felt very uncomfortable.

K: You actually felt that?

G: Yeah, I felt uncomfortable that I was not being creative.

And that's when you know that you are creative; when you

K: Now there was something I heard you say concerning the LuCairi watch... that different parts of the watch were created in different places, and that you hadn't seen a completed LuCairi watch until the end of that process.

G: Yes, I had not seen the completed LuCairi watch until a week before I launched. I'll take you through the motions.

The movement comes from Citizen Watch Company in Japan. The case is done in Hong Kong. The dial is made in Sweden. Then it comes to me and I do the final assembly on the watch. So you can imagine, that's just the watch. That's not the box. That's not the packaging. That's not the extra things… I'm sending money via Western Union to this place in China, to that place in Hong Kong, this place in Japan, this place in Sweden, and I'm thinking, if these people want to "jip" me, they could easily do it ‘cause I can't track them down anymore. Once you send money Western Union with their name, they take that money and they go! So I had to have an extreme amount of faith and say, "God, I know you didn't put this on my heart for me to fail. You didn't. Be-

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feel uncomfortable not doing your talent.

sentation of that. To ball all that up into something, into a timepiece.

K: So would you consider that to be your business philosophy?

K: Okay last question, you've taken two things that have been a part of Bahamian culture, black crabs and island time. You took both of those things and you flipped it.

G: I often say, "Calm seas don't make a skilled sailor. If it ain't rough, you ain't gonna learn...” *sic+ He has to go through the motions, be tested. I've been tested.

K: So what can we expect from LuCairi in 2014?

G: I got *sic+ a new watch I'm working on in the Montague line called the Black Crab.

K: The Black Crab!?

G: Yes, The Black Crab! All black, black diamonds. You see… what it represents to me is... black crab syndrome.

That watch was made to destroy that...

Like, how could you hate on LuCairi?

How could you hate on a Bahamian watch? You know, you have to really dig deep in your bones to say, "Bey that boy Giorgio bey, aye I don't like him cause he make that watch!" You have to really dig deep, that's why I'm making The Black Crab to be a repre-

G: Flipped it! And that's another thing too, the tagline for the company is, "Always On Island Time." On a local level, “Oh that means the watch slow, hey?" On an international level when they think of island time they think of beaches, relaxation, luxury. See, and I flipped that. Something that we used in a negative context, I turned to a positive context.

Keith: …In closing, congratulations on the LuCairi watch brand becoming the official watch of the Bahamas!

Giorgio: Thank you, I met with the Ministry of Tourism and I presented the watches to them. They reviewed the watches, were impressed and granted approval for the LuCairi brand to be the official watch of the Bahamas. 

To learn more about LuCairi check out the mad media links below...

BOOM! Magazine gets Angelique’s take on what it means to represent a national brand, and subsequently a nation, covering the Bahamian National Anthem, “March On, Bahamaland.”

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Keith: Okay, I have to begin this with a confession. I've been listening to your song "13" on radio for a while now, but until recently I did not know that was you. That is a really sweet song.

How long have you been singing?

Angelique: Thank you very much. I've been singing since I was 9 years old. I entered myself into "Little Miss Talented Bahamas,” which I thought was a talent show but turned out to be a pageant, and wrote, recorded and performed my very first song titled "I Will Shine Through." I consider that to be my very first experience on stage and a huge part of why I still love entertainment and performing.

Keith: I heard and saw "Pull Up" when the music video hit YouTube, end of March 2012. You were 14. How long did it take for MTV to pick up the music video? Can you recap those experiences for us?

Angelique: "Pull Up" debuted on MTV. That was an amazing experience for me from beginning to present because it was my first official music video after my manager found me online. It was also my first time in L.A. so the experience was totally new to me...

Then for MTV to want to debut the video, I felt incredibly blessed for the entire opportunity.

K: How did the NFL become involved with the remix single? I understand you taught the NFL cheerleaders your "Pull Up" dance for the 2013 season?

A: Every year the NFL cheerleaders have a convention where they

get together and learn new dance routines for the upcoming season. For the last *2013+ season they decided to add "Pull Up" to the routine and I flew up to the convention to surprise all of the girls and show them the dance in person! It was amazing to see them all in one room and they were all so kind.

K: "Stop Sign" also featured Bajan singer -songwriter Shontelle, who has experienced charting in international markets and has toured in support of New Kids on the Block, Beyoncé and Jason Derulo.

Did you have any down time to connect with each other and learn more about the music industry?

K: Your "Stop Sign" single has drawn heavy comparisons to Bajan superstar Rihanna, with many professing you to be the next break out Caribbean Pop star.

What's your take on this?

A: Shontelle and I actually spent most of our time talking about the music industry and our opinions and tastes in music.

She's become like a big sister to me… that I can go to whenever I need to talk to someone or *need+ any help with my music.

A: Shooting "Pull Up" was my first ever experience in California so it was extremely fun for me! "Stop Sign" was shot in New York and I'd been there many times before, but this was my first time ever shooting a music video there so I had a lot of fun buying all of the outfits and shooting on the streets *and+ urban locations. "March On, Bahamaland" was really comfortable for me to shoot because I was so familiar with my surroundings. It filled me with pride and was an amazing opportunity to get to shoot my National Anthem in my nation.

K: "Pull Up" was shot in Hollywood, California. "Stop Sign" was shot on the streets of New York City. Your third music video, "March On, Bahamaland," was shot here in The Bahamas. Places tend to have a different vibe, a different energy or feel to them. What did each loca-

K: Last summer you became the new face and voice of Cable Bahamas, the country's only triple-play telecommunications company. I was one of many wondering how you would be presented to the public. However nobody saw the music video for "March On, Baha-

A: I'm honored to be compared to Rihanna seeing as she's *a+ female artist from the islands that made it fully international. I have a lot of respect for her, and I am a different artist, but I definitely appreciate the comparison. I can only say that I hope to be as well-known and respected one day.

tion mean to you?

A: Around the time of our 40th Independence… the Head of Marketing at Cable Bahamas, David Burrows, bumped into my father, who is also my co-manager and one of my producers. They began talking about the possibilities of a collaboration. When I finally met with Mr. Burrows we listened to my body of work including a song that I wrote and performed for Sidney Poitier titled "The Measure of a Man.” That song really caught his attention because it showcased me singing in a much more theatrical style and less Pop than anything I'd done before. That's the song that got us discussing the possibility of recording the National Anthem as a gift to the nation for its 40th Independence. It was also a really great way for me to introduce my collaboration with Cable Bahamas to the public.

K: In the behind the scenes video, "The Making of 'March On, Bahamaland,'" Cable Bahamas Head of Marketing David Burrows calls your rendition, "an incredibly beautiful hymn to the nation.” I've also heard stories of young children replaying and singing along with you, dozens of times. How does it feel to be a part of that?

A: I felt really proud to be able to reintroduce our National Anthem to The Bahamas, especially to the children. I was able to witness, for the first time, children enjoying themselves singing our National Anthem.

K: I caught sight of a few of our national landmarks; can you name them all for us?

A: For "March On, Bahamaland" we were able to shoot at some amazing local landmarks including Government House, The Sidney Poitier Bridge, and The Paradise Island lighthouse.

K: I had a conversation with Lee Callender, grandson of Timothy Gibson, composer of The Bahamas National anthem. He intimated to me that his grandfather envisioned "March On, Bahamaland" as a blueprint, designed to guide the interactions of Bahamians with each other and the world at large as a people. Did you feel this? Are we living up to this responsibility?

A: I strongly believe that the lyrics to our Anthem should be used as a reminder to our people that if we as a nation were to have one goal, to progress, that each individual needs to keep their head risen *sic+ to the rising sun and march on. It's an incredible anthem that Mr. Gibson wrote and

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I strongly believe that the lyrics to our Anthem should be used as a reminder ...

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maland" coming. Nobody expected that.

How did this campaign, built around you, come to be?

Photos courtesy of Gregg White & Angelique Sabrina

I think we have neglected it for too long. I'm beginning to see that with the rebirth and new representation of the anthem we are reminding the older generation and inspiring the new one to not just sing the words, but to understand them.

K: Your latest singles, "Fairytale" and "I'm Ready," reflect an exploratory transition from teen Pop to a more mature R&B sound reminiscent of Janet Jackson and Aaliyah. Is this an accurate assessment? Are you charting a course to the future?

A: It's been really important for me to keep in mind that the years I'm experiencing now are going to involve a lot of progression and maturity for me. I think with "I'm Ready" it drifts away from where I was when I was eleven and dreaming up music like "Pull Up" and "13" and leans more toward where I'm at in my life right now and where I'm going to be in the next few years.

K: Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Rihanna and now Miley Cyrus, grew up in the spotlight and their content over time became less wholesome, and more sexually driven and explicit. You're 15 now. Would you have anything to say to folks wondering whether you plan to follow a similar course in order to remain successful? If so, what would that be?

A: I have no idea what course my life will take in the future but what I do know, that I can promise to anyone that asks, is that I will always remain authentic to who I am in the relative present.

Keith: You're one of the Nation's youngest to receive this level of local and international endorsement and exposure. How do you process and deal with your name and face on the sides of buildings, in TV commercials and publications? How do you "keep" Angelique?

Angelique: It's really new for me to see my face when driving on the road or constantly in the newspaper, but what helps me to "keep" Angelique is keeping my friends. My friends and family are always with me and always in my thoughts. 

Want to learn more? Check out the mad media links below, including the videos for “March On, Bahamaland” and “The Making of ‘March On, Bahamaland’”...

Editor-in-chief, Vanessa Mott, sits down for an intimate conversation with Ricardo “Barz Noble” Neely.

Vanessa: The first thing I want to ask you is why “Barz Noble”? Your real name is Ricardo Neely, what made you become the artist Barz Noble? What does that name mean to you and what do you want people to feel when they hear that name? What is it to be synonymous with?

Barz Noble: Being distinct… I thought of it as being a distinct name… Barz is actually a marriage of two. Noble deals with character, Barz deals with the music or the lyrical part of it. I wanted to marry and put those two together so even in my music... when it transcends and when persons listen to it I want that to have that feel of not just regular hip hop; this is something that… has substance; and not only that, it’s something that will definitely leave an indelible impression upon listeners... That was my goal, even behind the name Barz Noble.

Vanessa: What is it, because I imagine you weren’t always Barz Noble, much of your life you were just Ricardo Neely, and I’m sure Ricardo Neely is a great guy, but what made Ricardo Neely become Barz Noble? What inspired you to get into the music industry to begin with?

Barz Noble: Well, what really inspired me… first of all I’m a fan and I took it from that aspect first, before being an artist, before being a writer, I am first a fan of the music. You know, having a great respect for those storytelling raps, I am a fan definitely of Black Star, Common, A Tribe Called Quest... at the time when hip hop was more about not just having a hook per say, it was more about the lyrical content… Those story telling raps, those raps that basically dealt with issues, dealt with the struggle, things… that really are the pulse to the community, that’s what really caused me to evolve into what is known as Barz Noble, now. I wanted to have that desire to get it, just to balance substance with creativity.

V: So how long have you been Barz Noble? When did your musical career begin?

BN: Man… Actually you might as well say ten years, I was just writing/recording nonchalantly…. I just used to write a lot of lyrics, but it really wasn’t anything for recording purposes. It was just the past 5 years that I really learned how to put in the structure to become a real artist and to make them into songs.

V: So prior to that you were one of us who has fifteen to twenty notebooks?

BN: Yeah! Yes… it really wasn’t anything… just doing it for the fun of it.

V: In particular being in the Bahamas, which we can somewhat compare it to the rest of the Caribbean in that we’re a small nation, and the avenues for artists to develop themselves are fewer; how did you find it getting into the industry? Was it an easy thing for you to do? Did you already have the connections or was it a matter of figuring out well, if I want to be an artist where do I go, who do I talk to? How did you get your foot in the door?

BN: Man that’s a good question, when you think of getting in from that perspective. I feel it’s still definitely a work in progress, I’m still trying to feel my way, you know. I believe I definitely have not arrived... You know when you’re dealing with music, especially in the 242, it’s trial and error... For me, I value just observing, learning from what’s going on in the respective artist communities, because the thing about it is yes, even though we may be progressing as artists in various aspects there’s still room for continual growth. I think as

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artists, even for me coming from a fan perspective, we need to create our own market. I believe it has to start with us. There are not a lot of, *at least+ to me, venues where artists can go to express themselves.

But we can create our own market and I think this is what I’m seeing, but I’d love to see it more… If they’re not coming to us, let’s create that market amongst ourselves; let’s start doing our own shows together, so if you have an artist who say, and we don’t limit it by genre, you’re a reggae artist, you’re a hip hop artist, spoken word, whatever, we can come together and create our own venues and have our own shows, because there’s strength in unity... I’m a firm believer in *that+ I think that we, in the 242, need to create our own market, create our own demand, you know... *So+ others see that well, okay, these people aren’t waiting for so-and-so to come or waiting for that tide to come to Nassau; no, we’re creating our own…

V: You mentioned genres… How do you classify your music, and has your sound changed from 5 years ago, ten years ago to what it is now?

BN: Definitely, when I think of a Barz Noble sound it’s more of a balance between the old and the new, even though I’m an old musician as it relates to the Hip Hop. I do appreciate, like I say, back from the late 80s to the 90s. Even before the "Little Waynes", A Tribe Called Quest, Black Star; those are the guys who *sic+ I listened to back in the day, and I still listen to them now because I truly believe there are certain dynamics that as artists we can learn from each other, even if it’s not quote end quote a “Hip Hop” genre; it can be Pop or Soul or even artists who are into the old R&B… We can learn from artists as it relates to songwriting, telling a story and putting my own stamp to that… It’s a blessing to be able to create your own sound. The thing about it is… there’s certain things you can learn… but I think that your own uniqueness should still be stamped *so+ that when persons listen to you they’ll know well, yes, this is a Barz Noble sound, even though I may hear Jazz elements, even though I may hear a hybrid, which the album itself, Symphonic Signatures is. It has a mixture of Rock, it has a mixture of even that world sound, it has a mixture of Reggae, but it still has that “me,” that Barz Noble sound.

V: I’ve listened to the album, and there’s such a great mix of genres, you have songs that brought in the Rock element, you have songs that brought in definitely the Hip Hop element... The first official single, The Music of Life is just impeccable in terms of Hip Hop quality and again that storytelling aspect. It comes through, it’s there, you get it. What made you decide to bring in those different elements? Like you said you have Rock, Hip Hop, elements from Reggae, elements from Classical music, and as the name of the album alludes to, there are indeed symphonic signatures that are a part of the music. What made you decide to go with such a beautifully eclectic mix?

BN: Well I can’t take full credit for that, *it was+ my producer, Zoltan Johnson. It was him *sic+ who suggested and said look, let’s make the record interesting and experiment with different sounds. I’m the type of person like I stressed before... being a fan of groups like A Tribe Called Quest, Common… I came in with that mentality; I wanted it to sound like that... Working with Zoltan, he’s the type to say well, I can still be me, but let’s experiment with a hybrid of sounds

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whereby I don’t have to compromise my flow, but just to make the project more interesting and globally appealing, let’s incorporate the Rock and experiment with the R&B and Reggae you know, the Classical sounds that you hear... I gotta *sic+ give credit to him on that.

V: One of the things I’ve noticed in the industry over the last ten to fifteen years is that change in the sound. Most Rap isn’t Rap anymore it’s all Pop music, from the time Ja Rule and Ashanti were doing their thing. R&B became Pop, Rap became Pop; and it didn’t just start then, because if you really go back to the beginning of Hip Hop and groups like Run DMC and what they did with Aerosmith and “Walk This Way”, the art of combining and creating this hybrid of sounds is something the industry has used before, and something that you all used impeccably. With Symphonic Signatures being your freshman album, how did you feel about those sounds when you heard

it? As you said, Zoltan is the one who said let’s try this, so how did you feel about the end product and the combination of you and Zoltan’s creativity? Was it better than you thought?

BN: Actually yes. Many times when we went on sessions it was just a listening session, where I didn’t just go to record, it was more to feel the track. Sometimes he’d give me an idea… based on the track itself. I’m a firm believer that music speaks for itself. Me, being the artist or the lyricist, I’m just complimenting that sound that the track is speaking… I’m the type of person that… I already have a particular theme when I’m going in to record and sometimes that track takes you off. When I say off, not in a bad way, but in a good way whereby it redirects.

There’s a particular track, “What Will It Be”… That came as a result of just listening *and+ playing with the track. I already had an original theme, but you know in the creative process things

can happen spontaneously… Originally, *I+ had a topic in mind, even the theme, dealing with love, but the thing about it is when I heard the track it took me to another place, even though I was like I still want to talk about love... The album itself, every song deals with different issues... So a song may be dealing with social issues, a song may be dealing with relationship issues, but this particular song it just took me… It inspired me to write something new; same theme, but just take it from a different approach.

V: One of the things you mentioned just now were some of the various topics, and that is one of the things I appreciate with artists like Common and lyricists on the whole. Even when you go back to Tupac, everyone has their “bootyshaking” songs, and yet, he was an artist that brought up some serious issues.

More recent, but still going a little ways back, Trick Daddy was another one who spoke to many of the social issues in America on a lot of his tracks. For you as an artist coming from the Caribbean, the Bahamas in particular, what were some of the issues that you really had a passion to speak on and use this project to bring more awareness to?

BN: The main thing is identity. A lot of us we really don’t know who we are as it relates to our own identity. A lot of times we value or place our identity on what others tell us or what we perceive to be the acceptable thing of being who we are instead of discovering it for ourselves; and for me, this is where the God factor comes in... I notice with a lot of us, especially as a Bahamian people, we’ve gotten

Photos by Patrick Robinson

so caught up in “oh, well, because so-and-so so told me I can only go this far because of the color of my skin, because of me being born where I probably may not have a silver spoon or I didn’t have everything I wanted…” As Bahamians generally coming from an African heritage, and slave mentality… we have to come out of that mindset to knowing who we are… There’s a song on the album that deals with that. To me, being a person *that+ has a personal relationship with God, I always say I’m not a perfect person, but the more you seek God, God will open your eyes to a lot of things... Through self-discovery you realize that’s not even who we are. But I think that we as a people, especially as Bahamians, we need to first get back to basics which goes beyond entertainment that goes beyond just you being who you are occupationally or talent-wise. It deals with the inner person it deals with you being a human being… I feel that a lot of us have lost our identity and that’s why we don’t treat each other with respect, with love. You know the old folks always tell you “yes, sir, yes, ma'am,” things like that I think that transcends not only in our own personal life, but it transcends through our occupation, our talent, the way we conduct ourselves as a people. You’ve got to realize that us as a people if we don’t know who we are as a nation, if we allow other people to rape us of our identity, we’re lost… We’re lost.

V: Tell me, as an individual, we spoke about some of your musical influences, but who are some of the people in your life that have truly inspired you or guided you, offered assistance to say hey, let me help you in your own personal discovery to help you become who God would have you to be?

BN: Amazingly, from growing up in a single parent home with my mum, she is one of the main influences in my life. She really encouraged me to be myself. She encouraged me to treat others how I want to be treated. She came from the old school, yes sir, yes ma’am, treating everyone with that common courtesy. I feel for me, that was really a foundation she instilled in me. Even though she didn’t have a personal relationship with God per say, she still wanted me to be exposed to those things. Education-wise it wasn’t really about education per say, but more the type of education she wanted me to get; all investing in my character… She wanted me to be in a place where I was exposed to that Christian education, not only education but a place that would encourage me to build my character and develop myself. The thing is an undeveloped person is a person who’s lost because they don’t have anyone to direct them and guide them. And I must say, it was my mom and more women, who played a pivotal role more than men… It’s sad, but it’s a grim reality... I tell friends who I know the mom and dad plays a pivotal role in their lives... Look, y’all are blessed just to have a mom and dad... where the dad is playing a pivotal part in their lives. Because most of my friends grew up in single parent

homes... I feel that where you come from keeps you grounded, but where you come from should not be an excuse to prevent you from moving forward in whatever area you decide to be... It goes back to identity; it doesn’t have to be many persons, it could be that one person who was really a positive influence... and in that case that person was my mom.

V: What school did you go to?

BN: I actually went to Nassau Christian Academy; I graduated from there and then went to C.O.B. *College of The Bahamas+ so I stayed home to get my education… I feel that true education is practical... It’s not just about studying for an exam. No, I think the greatest impact... the teacher can impart to the student *is to+ teach them how to think and be able to use their common sense, because a lot of the things in education and the things we study in school you’re never going to use. It’s more the principle, imparting on the students the discipline, because you have to be disciplined in your studies and that can translate into their everyday life…

That’s to me, true education. Those things are invaluable…

Those things carry on with the student for the rest of their lives, and they’ll go far once they learn that; once that is imparted and they grasp that and run with it.

V: One of the things that you’ve coined in a way is the term “Life Music”… When you say Life Music, what is your full meaning behind that; what is Life Music to Barz Noble?

BN: Life music to me I feel is… touching persons… Everybody, every one of us, we’re going through seasons, because life consists of seasons… The reason why I call my music “Life Music” and to me what I feel the fruit of “Life Music” is, is when that music is able to touch persons wherever they’re at, at that moment in their lives… Some may be going through relationship issues, some may be going through spiritual issues, some may be going through social *issues+ or whatever.

It’s being able to touch persons who are receiving that music at wherever their need is, or wherever they are at that point in their lives; and if I’m able to accomplish that then that’s worth it. That’s the reason why I say “Life Music”. To me that is “Life Music”.

V: And speaking of Life Music, the first official single from the album Symphonic Signatures is actually “The Music of Life”. As the first official single you guys did a music video for it and everything… Tell me about that particular project.

BN: That is actually one of my favorite tracks from the album, because I had fun just doing it. Even with the track itself, when I heard it for the first time, it just makes you move a bit… Even with that Classical feel to it, when you hear the sounds of those violins and strings it was like wow, this’ll cause you to rock. Life… it shouldn’t be boring and I think the

track itself because it has that bouncy feel to it, it’s vibrant…

Even when I heard the track… I was like wow… “This is the music of life, people can you feel the rhythm, life is meant to edify not to cause any schism.” I tried to use the analogy of life. If you notice even in the verses it talks about, again, that spiritual foundation… finding my identity... It was me discovering who I am as an artist...

V: In the music industry, in particular in the gospel music industry, for years there has been an issue; and when I say years, I can remember mid-90s and probably going even further back than that, when you had Alternative groups or Rap groups, anything that was away from the mainstream Gospel, that were doing it *Gospel music+, and the issue always came up, to be right with God your music has to fit in this genre… You remember the group DC Talk and Toby Mac… the song “Jesus Freak,” which I think the album was also entitled Jesus Freak; there was a lot of controversy over that and mind you this was an awesome song, and being a freak for Jesus... nothing wrong with that right? *It+ had a positive message and yet there was still the issue of “oh, but that’s Rock&Roll and Rock&Roll is not ‘God’s’ music”. The same thing when you look at Gospel rappers like T -Bone, for instance, who was one who really affected the late 90s. It wasn’t just a Gospel artist trying to be a rapper; no, T-Bone was a rapper and his content, his message happened to be positive. What kind of resistance did you meet in the local industry to say well, we don’t do Gospel Rap or there is no such thing even as Gospel Rap? BN: Growing up, even at my place of education... we had to sign contracts to say that we would abstain from listening to Christian Hip Hop and Christian Rock and stuff, even though it’s Christian… Now, things have changed at that same establishment, but back in the day they didn't want us to listen to Christian Rock or Christian Hip Hop, and what I’m doing now is definitely the opposite of what they wanted to do...

But what was amazing was that the same persons who didn’t want us to engage in that for whatever reason, they used to listen to those old love songs, Anita Baker, and it was like wait now, you can’t be the same persons... I think it had more to do with not it being Christian, I felt it was more dealing with the genre. To me I felt it was more of a mask. But to really draw it home, music is a universal language. It’s just like when you go to different parts of the world. When you go to Africa, Africa consists of various tribes; every tribe has their own unique form of communication- the same with music. It’s music, but you have different expressions in which you can relate, and *for+ every expression you have persons who are drawn to that, who understand that language… To me, it’s more what do you do with that. Do you appreciate

the art for what it is or if you don’t have an understanding of it you just cast it *away+? But because you may not have an understanding of it or it doesn’t connect with you, that doesn’t mean that it cannot relate to other persons or it cannot be used in a positive way... It can reach somebody, somebody can connect to that. But if there’s a lack of understanding, a lot of times you have to forgive people for not understanding. I’ll go back to the day of Dr. Miles Munroe, I’ll never forget, I heard one of his teachings *and+ when he first he started out in music, he was in a group called the Visionnaires. Now, if you listen to that music today, to us that’s old school music, but back in the day… he said man, a lot of churches called that “devil” music; there were only a few ministers who had a full understanding. Now, me and you, we listen to that we would laugh, because we’d say you mean to tell me because it was new back in that day, those in the establishment didn’t understand it. But as the years go by, and when you listen to that now we say man that’s old school… It’s like this, we’re afraid of new things and sometimes, if we don’t understand it we’re quick to cast judgment, we’re quick to put in our 5 cents to say… what crap or trash is this? My thing about it is we’ve even gotten so caught up in the formality of it, whereby… because a song it doesn’t say Jesus, Jesus then they say oh, this is not Gospel… we’ve gotten so caught up in the theatric of Jesus, Jesus… if you look at Jesus’ life… He was a “rebel” in the eyes of those established religious leaders back in the day because he didn’t fit in their mold. You see they separated themselves because of their religion or because of their title, but if you notice with Christ, the rich man *and+ the poor man connected with him because Christ never separated himself where he was not reachable to the people… And I feel that we’ve missed it whereby we’ve gotten so caught up in the formality of what it is to be Christian that we missed the whole point of what Christ was trying to teach us. It’s not about religion, it’s not about even reputation, it’s about relationship… God wants us to have a relationship with him even in our imperfection…

God is looking for real people, not perfect people, real people…

V: Let me ask you a little bit more about the industry…

When you see things like the Miley Cyrus issue, she’s a young girl but she’s also a professional artist who makes secular music. Where do you weigh in? Do you think it’s as bad as the public has tried to make it seem or do you think it’s just a young secular artist doing their job?

between Miley and whoever the other person is, at least she’s honest in the sense that you don’t necessarily have to agree, but at least she’s honest and I can respect that. With that I leave it right there.

V: As a Gospel artist and I don’t like calling you a Gospel artist, I prefer to call you a recording artist, a Hip Hop artist…

BN: … I really don’t get caught up in the labels, I see myself more as a Hip Hop artist who happens to be a Christian, not necessarily a Christian Hip Hop artist. I’m a firm believer that you don’t be so heavenly minded that you’re no earthly good.

I feel that there has to be a balance when it comes to the platform in which you present yourself. So I feel for me as a Christian in this industry that is my mindset.

Vanessa: Do you think we will ever get to the point where artists are defined *solely+ based on genre and not Christian vs. Secular...?

Barz Noble: Boy, I feel that some of us get it, but I feel that there’ll always be that area where some of us will still not get it. It’s going to take time… 

To learn more about Feature Artist Barz Noble check out the mad media links below...

The Music of Life What will it be...

BN: My thing is before we can cast judgment on persons we have to know their story, and I’m the type of person that before you put in your 5 or ten cents get to know their story first before you cast any accusations. The only difference

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Open House concert is an event that began 10 years ago in 2003 with a mere 200 youths attending but in 2013 with free admission, Open House Lights On drew a crowd of 10,000 Youths over the course of the 2 day event 5th and 6th April, setting precedence as the best of Trinidad’s gospel events for 2013 and the 7th concert held by the reputable Open House Committee made up of 4 friends; Javed & wife Jen Bachew, Rakesh Rahim and Rebekah Fuentes. The vision of this event is to deposit the desire for excellence through spirit-led worship, to bring salvation to the people of Trinidad and a time to encourage the youths in the churched and a great opportunity to bring along unsaved family and friends. Held at the Host venue of Trinidad & Tobago Urban Ministries compound of LP #6 Mohepat Street in St. Helena Village Piarco, the lineup Cast from TRINIDAD & TOBAGO GOSPEL ARTISTES INCLUDED~ SHERWIN GARDNER, POSITIVE & SIGNATURE BAND, GITTA DAN, ISAAC BLACKMAN, SHISELON, NEHILET BLACKMAN & D'ALL GIRLS BAND, SHY CREW AND FREEDOM GENERATION WORSHIP TEAM, ANTUS, ELISHA, GATES PRAISE MUSIC, 3 DAYS, FIRM FOUNDATION, JADEE & ALTAR CALL, MENTION & BASS AND SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL ARTISTES FROM THE U.S.A.~ TJ Pompeo, YOUNG NOAH, CANON (Fastest Christian Rapper in the world), CAPITAL KINGS (Dove Nominee for New Gospel Artiste 2013) and Da T.R.U.T.H. (Stellar Award Winner of Best Hip Hop Album for 2013). A first ever with such a mixed Cast for Trinidad and Tobago Gospel concerts.

Promotions of this event reached the Christian Radio Stations W107Fm the Word, Isaac 98.1Fm and the Social Networks of Facebook Page “Heartbeat Events”, the Youtube Channel of “Open House Trinidad” and streamed via

www.eventsstreamtt.com where 2,300 people worldwide logged on to watch the LIVE Feed. At the heart of putting this festival together is a family team of professional production companies; SoundVision Lighting Company (owned

by Sponsor Mr. Javed Bachew), Mc Farlane Design Studios, Stage Effects, Power for Rent, Heartbeat Events and Advance Dynamics Limited, just to name a few. Their reputation for excellence and integrity is what has kept them for

Photos courtesy of Open House and GospelGlobe.com. pg. 48– (top left) The All Girls Band and Dixie-Ann Blackman, (bottom) Jadee and Samuel Dyer; pg. 49- (above) DJ Livstrong, (left) T.J. Pompeo and Da T.R.U.T.H., (below) Sherwin Gardiner; pg. 50- (top left) Canon, (bottom) Da T.R.U.T.H.

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many years and made them successful, and this is why ‘Open House’ concert is held by the Committee, as a way to bless God with what He has given and give back to the youths of T&T. Soon following Open House Lights On, the environment of the Gospel Music Industry in Trinidad and Tobago changed for the better with the introduction of the various Christian music genres of Christian Hip Hop (aka CHH), Pop, Techno and Rap blazing on the local radio stations by the deejays and sparking an ever increasing following of these Artistes and those alike. Surely, the Committee tapped into a market niche that had already been there but was never ventured into, a risk they took in confidence to book such a Cast that now proved to be successful. With the demand for more by the listening audience to the radio stations and concert promoters, the doors are open for Artistes alike to be booked by the Open House Committee to grace the Caribbean shores for the first time at the next Open House Concert.  Contributor, Rebekah Fuentes To learn more about Open House check out the mad media links below:

38yr. Old virgin Mr. J is in the hot seat as he discusses his music and the method to his madness.

Photos courtesy of Mr. J

Keith: I'm going to dive right in bro, you're a 38 year old virgin, why tell anybody? Much less drop a song and video about being one?

Mr. J: I like to encourage people to live in obedience to God's word. Many find or think it difficult to achieve certain level of obedience. In many cases, due to the thinking of society or perception, persons adopt the culture as a normal part of life which is inescapable. I wanted to be an example of what we can achieve and that truly, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

The prerequisite to this is total submission to God. He must become our cause for living.

Keith: You've been doing music for several years, why did you wait until now to promote this?

Mr. J: Declaring that I'm a virgin was inspired by a DJ friend and a music artist friend in Jamaica DJ Godandi (Omar Lewis) & St. Matthew (Matthew Golding). I never contemplated on doing a song about being a virgin nor was my state a constant thought or issue in my life.

K: Some people are pretty teed off about this "I'm A Virgin" song. Negative words I've heard to describe it are "insensitive", "opportunistic" and "not fit for broadcast". Why is a song, promoting sexual abstinence met with such opposition?

MJ: LOL. I haven’t heard them. Why don’t they get teed off about someone singing about sex? Most sex songs are promoting fornication which I guess persons are quite pleased with. It simply means they lack knowledge of what is pleasing to God. It shows a love for sin and

not righteousness and holiness.

K: Okay, you've been involved in campaigns against crime, drug and alcohol abuse, violence, organized your own community outreach events, raised funds for people in need of surgeries and therapy, essentially you are an activist. Is this an extension of your faith or were you doing this stuff beforehand?

MJ: This is all an extension of my faith. Before coming to Christ, I had no idea of purpose.

K: You're out there among the people so let me ask you, people always blame the government and the church for crime. Is this fair? Can anybody really predict crime?

MJ: People tend to cast blame rather than becoming a solution and making a difference. As the saying goes, if you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem. Until we all contribute in some way to help reduce crime, we will forever point the fingers. In that regard it’s not fair. Crime is not predictable but others are complicit. If they were to be more responsible and try

dissuade (sic) their friends & family members from evil, crime will be on the decrease.

K: Can churches impact crime in a nation? If so, how?

MJ: Yes churches can have an impact on reducing crime in a nation. Crime is a sin problem. If churches play a more active role in the communities, they would have a better influence on individuals. While we cannot control how people think and what they do, we can however inspire persons to elevate. This is most effective in having a relationship with individuals.

K: Back to music now, I've seen you perform live and you literally explode on stage, how did you discover your love for reggae?

MJ: I enjoyed listening to reggae from my childhood days. I wrote my first reggae song when I was 15, titled Anorexia Body which was during a Christmas season.

The guys in my neighborhood had a DJ system set up playing music and chatting on the mic. I felt stirred by the sound of everything and desired to have a chance to sing on the mic as well. However, due to fear and timid-

ness (sic), I never performed the song.

K: You traveled to Canada to take part in the "Money We Want" music video by Guyanese born DJ Evangelist. Have you traveled elsewhere? How far has your music traveled?

MJ: I also travelled to Guyana in 2009 for an event called Real Easter Jam. The organizer for this event is also DJ Evangelist who collaborated with other Guyanese ministers. At the end of the weekend event, we produced a collaboration titled Last Days. The track features Baby C (Christopher Mayers) of Trinidad & Tobago, Kester D (Kester Deane) Guyana, Dynamic Flames (Gary Trim & Edward Pillay), St. Matthew (Matthew Golding) Jamaica, Mr. J (Gesner Dalmon) Bahamas & DJ Evangelist (Reza Ally) Canada/Guyana K: Based on my research, I think you're the first Bahamian artist to release singles to radio here in both English and Creole. Why is reaching the Haitian community here in The Bahamas important to you?

K: Have you ever traveled to pre or postearthquake Haiti? Is visiting there on your list?

MJ: I travelled pre. My first visit was in 1996.

Afterwards I travelled again in 1998 and 2001. I enjoyed the mountainous landscape, the lively market place, the tranquil evenings. I would like to visit again but presently it’s not on my list.

Keith: Solid, so let wrap this where we began.

Are you seeking a wife? What are qualities are you looking for? Do you have a list?

Mr. J: Yes I am seeking a wife. It’s one of my many prayer priorities. I am seeking a Christian woman of course, faithful and obedient to God, respectful, modest in apparel, a sense of humor, ambitious, and a sense of entrepreneurship. 

“

I wanted to be an example of what we can achieve...

“

MJ: I believe in using and maximizing what God has given to us to bring glory to His Kingdom and win souls. The gospel must be preached to all nations. Of the many nations represented here in the Bahamas, the Haitians are the only ones I can communicate with because I speak creole.

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BOOM! Magazine talks to Indie singing sensation Chesternique about her journey in life and music...

Keith: You grew up with a ministry focused family in the Bahamas. How has that shaped you?

Chesternique: Growing up in a ministry focused family has really built a spiritual foundation for me. I was always in and around the church but didn't commit to salvation until the age of 14. It was after this that I accepted the challenge, not to remain a baby in Christ but to grow and to do so healthily and steadily. Church became a second home for me, as my parents were heavily involved in ministry. I didn't have a say in whether or not I wanted to go, or to participate. I was going to do both and love it! Being saved and active in the church not only kept me spiritually focused, but was also key in the discovery of my gift of singing.

Photos courtesy of Chesternique

Keith: Was it easy for you, growing up as a ministry kid?

Chesternique: Is this a trick question? OH NO! No hesitation needed here! Being a PK was extremely difficult especially during my adolescent years. I'd quote from the song, "I Trust You" from my "Expressions of The Heart" album ..."The Struggle was great, but my faith got strong".

There were many many times that I hated it! My parents

were really strict on top of being Pastors. When my friends were at the movies on the weekends I HAD to be in church or at choir practice or helping the ladies decorate the church for the holidays. When they started dating I wasn't allowed to. It seemed like everyone had so much more freedom than I did. Now that I'm older and more mature I understand their "over protection" and thank God for them. I definitely would not have been in the shoes that I'm in, had it not been that way.

K: You're classy, you're poised and you remind me a little of CeCe Winans, who I met several years ago. What gets you fired up? What are you passionate about?

C: Thank You! CeCe's album was one of the first I owned.

Giving - one word that describes my passion. Giving of my time, creativity, self and talent to others is what I love doing! This has brought me to be a part of many events such as food and clothing distributions, hair affairs (where we gave students hair makeovers in time to go back to school at the end of summer breaks). I remember, at the age of 14, taking less fortunate little ladies home with me from church

award winning album, "Seasons".

How did these experiences help prepare you for your own debut album?

C: Jazz is and will be incorporated into a lot of my music simply because I love the sound and I love it's smooth blend of chords. I've come to notice that whether intentional or not, it always ends up somewhere in there. With that said, I do believe that Jazz is the foundation of my sound.

C: I'm so thankful for each project, to each of these persons and for every experience that I've been a part of. As I think back on them individually, I've come to appreciate the saying that you cannot lead unless you yourself can be lead. Background singing was a lot of fun and gave me the opportunity to assist Jonny, Vince and Jazz with giving their albums/performances the sound they envisioned. Along with the Gospel choir at Taylor University I was apart of the chorale and again aided in the vision of the choir director/ directress. The difference is that this time around the effort is in bringing my dream of producing great impacting music to life. I took everything I learned and added it to the potential I had and came out with a beautiful album, Expressions of The Heart.

K: You sang as a member of the Taylor University Gospel Choir, then backup with Jonathan Farrington on VMac's debut album and again for your brother Jasman Rolle on the Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin

K: You signed with VMac's Elevation Records, released "Expressions of the Heart", then got U.S. recording artist Damita to open your album release concert here in The Bahamas, as your special guest artist. How did all that

K: The first single I heard from you, "Get My Praise On", was pretty much Jazz with praise & worship lyrics. Is Jazz the foundation of your sound?

take place?

C: I was given the privilege of choosing an International recording artist to be a part of my album release. After some thought and heavy consideration, we were certain that Damita was the one! Along with the fact that I'm a fan of hers, her music is pretty popular in the Bahamas (i.e Nassau), where the concert was being held. I've seen live performances of Damita and they were all testaments of her relationship with God. There is always pure worship and passion and this was the mood we wanted to set at the album release concert.

K: Did Damita share anything special with you?

C: After the concert Damita and I had a few minutes to chit chat. She commended me on how beautiful I looked and my voice is. She mentioned wanting to connect in the future.

K: You got married and moved to America to pursue a music career.

How's it going? Where have you traveled to? Give us some highlights.

C: The move was not based on my mu-

“

My focal point is the message in my music.

“

on the weekends and unbiasedly putting my clothes and jewelry on them because I wanted them to have what I had and be happy about themselves. My music tells stories of my relationship with God and encourages listeners to strive for a deeper, closer walk with Him. I accept that I am not the best at what I do, but it is my daily prayer that I am walking in what God has called me to and doing it satisfactorily unto Him.

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sic career. It's been one of the things my husband and I wanted to do and we thought it was the time to do it. Since living in the US I have toured throughout the Mid-West twice. I just recently ended the first leg of the Get Away Tour in Georgia. They've all been great experiences. Getting the chance to meet and network with new people is always a plus. My focal point is the message in my music. I want people to see and understand my passion for helping them see that we can never get comfortable in where we are in Christ. After one level is accomplished there is an extra rink that needs to be climbed.

We may get tired, discouraged and even give up at times, but we've got to aim to accomplish. The Georgia tour was most memorable, during the concert at Cornerstone Fellowship Church in Fairburn I really poured out and began to minister to the hearts of the people.

Singing is all good, but it's good to stop for a minute or two, or three in obedience to the Holy Spirit.

K: You're an indie artist again with a new single and new music video named "Get Away". Tell us about those.

C: The Get Away music video was released August 16th 2013. Since the release it's been thriving! I took some time this summer, during the last Mid-West tour, drove up to Chicago for a few hours to shoot. Mihkail Cooper from Just Visuals Media did an incredible job!

It's crisp and clear and I think the most important thing from the song is being heard - the message. The thought of "Get Away" sparked after a long time of waiting to hear back from jobs I applied to. Everyone seemed to have something to 'do', a job to go to, ya know, making money. I felt left out. After asking God about it, He told me that I needed to silence the noise...to get away. I hit up my homie, Sammi Starr who had worked with me on a few songs from Expressions of The Heart album who assisted with co-writing and producing the song.

Keith: Switching gears, you've been married for over a year now, any pointers for the single seeking folks out there? How do you know "The One"? How do you make it work?

Chesternique: Do what I did, wait and pray. I can hear someone now saying, "Again"?! "Ain't nobody got time for that" lol. no...seriously, waiting isn't wasted time. You'll prove to God that you have enough faith in His master plan for you. I prayed and asked God for my Boaz, Ketlinado, and he gave him to me AND in the 21 day period that I asked Him. Isn't He amazing?!

Just ask and wait. Marriage is the BOMB but you've gotta put work in! So you gonna plant an orange seed and never look back to water it and make sure it's getting sufficient sunlight? Or you gonna depend on the rain the do your job? Same with marriage, saying I DO is not the end of it, matter of fact that's just the beginning. Ladies, as wives we've got to learn the lesson of submission. Men you were commanded to love us. This is just some of the things that help in a better marriage. ď‚Ś To learn more about Chesternique, check out the mad media links below...

Top 20 Inspirational Bahamian Songs of 2013 & Artist of The Year Unveiled

By Arthia Nixon,

An international pop princess’ patriotic rendition of a national anthem is being hailed as the most inspirational song for 2013, according to a nationally syndicated Caribbean radio show. Teen sensation Angelique Sabrina’s version of March on Bahamaland, the national anthem of The Bahamas, took her completely away from her high energy singles Stop Sign and Pull Up when it released as the country was at the height of last year’s 40th Independence Day celebrations. It also came about as she was named the face for Cable Bahamas.

As for the coveted spot of Artist of The Year, the honor went to Johnathan ‘Jonny’ Farrington. Jonny took 2013 by storm, collaborating with several major names, debuting his music video and single, headlining and being featured in major concerts and serving as a celebrity judge on reality singing show 242Untapped, The Bahamas’ version of Sunday’s Best.

Keith L. Rolle, the host of Island FM’s Inspiration with Keith, spent new year’s day on air counting down the top 20 artists of 2013.

“It was truly a phenomenal year for Bahamian talent,” said Rolle. “I took note of several major concerts and while there were well known international names out there, I was personally impressed to see local talent take the stage as headliners. That goes to show that there is local support and there is enough fuel to get these artists out there internationally.”

Noteworthy, added Rolle, was the diversity when it came to the genres local singers were venturing into.

“The artists on the countdown, came strong with influences from many genres including hip hop and rap, jazz, pop, traditional gospel, rake ‘n’ scrape, reggae and more,” said Rolle. “I’ve been in the industry for over a decade

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and it really is impressive to see them find their sound and raise the bar. Two artists in particular – Willis and the Illest band and Avalachee – are to be commended for fusing the indigenous Bahamian sound of rake ‘n’ scrape with reggae and hip hop. ” In the 20th spot was Barz Noble featuring Rudell with What Will It Be while Manifest and Millyon took number 19 with Forever. The St. Anne’s School Choir was the only choir on the list at number 18 with Let’s Dance. Securing the 17th spot was Chesternique with Get Away.

Willis & The Illist’s Survival Psalms with SosaMan was number 16, followed by Monty G’s Jesus I Love You and Avalanchee’s More God. At number 13 is One More Hallelujah by former BahaMen lead singer and Mount Tabor Full Gospel Choir’s Nehemiah Heild featuring Stevie S. I’m Still Here by Lyrically Blessed landed in at number 12 and Lay Down My Burdens by Kenyatta Taylor at number 11.

In order from number 10 to one were Shenique Thurston (Give Him Praise), Jonathan Farrington (It’s Time For Me), Lynn Terez Davis (Sing Hallelujah), V-Mac featuring Jonathan Farrington (Declaration), Averia Rolle (You Are Holy), Truesdale (The Other Side), Ricardo Clarke (Don’t Count Me Out), Puzzle (Rise Up), Javen featuring Johnathan Nelson (Worshipper In Me) and Angelique Sabrina (March On Bahamaland). 

Photos courtesy of Inspiration with Keith, Island102.9FM, Nassau, Bahamas.

Pg. 64- (left) Barz Noble, (bottom) Manifest; pg. 65- (top left) Jonathan Farrington, (bottom left) Monty G, (top right) Keith L. Rolle, (middle right) Willis & The Illest, (bottom right) Chesternique; pgs. 66-67 (L-R) Avalanchee, Puzzle, Angelique Sabrina, & Javen.

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Songstress Tamika Taylor talks life as a singer, mother, wife, and believer...

Keith: Right out the gate I’ve got to ask, where were you?

Tamika Taylor: I’ve been living a wonderful life. Serving, working, mentoring, being a wife, a mother and learning to balance it all.

Keith: You went from a feature on a Peter Runks single, to releasing your debut single, to singing in front of thousands on a FAM Records stage in short order.

Please share those experiences with us.

Tamika Taylor: Although they are significant milestones in

my life, there are also many other stages The Lord has allowed me the opportunity to experience. At the age of 19, I was guest soloist on TBN at the “Say Yes To Life” Candi Staton show. I have travelled with The Ministry of Tourism and other wonderful Bahamians to represent our country at the World Famous Apollo Theatre.

Among those awesome experiences I’ve travelled and shared stages with artists like Israel Houghton, Fred Hammond and Donnie McClurkin at Bobby Jones’ Gospel Artists Retreats and Gospel Music Workshop of America conferences. Working with and being exposed to so many differ-

ent people, throughout our beautiful Bahama islands and throughout a few of the United States of America, has caused me to grow in my appreciation for diversity. I absolutely love the fact that everyone is different and that different doesn’t necessarily mean wrong. Just because I may sing differently, or because my gifting may be different from someone else’s that does not mean I have to conform to what they are doing because it’s perceived that there gifting is better.

Everyone has something unique to contribute. All of the experiences thus far have caused me to love The God I serve more and it inspires me even more to do what He has created me to do in the unique way He has wired me to do it.

K: Your Black Gospel infused vocals carried a fresh energy into the Junkanoo sound. When did you discover your love for music?

TT: I come from a musical family, so from as far back as I can remember; music was interwoven into the fabric of the Smith family. Even at extended family gatherings, one of which

was held every Boxing Day, December 26th, singing and music were an integral part.

My mom and my dad both play instruments and sing. My two brothers also play instruments. I believe I secretly officially knew I had the gift of music and a passion for it at the age of about eight. My parents had a collection of records. I would take out all of my parents’ records and listen to all of them for hours and sing along with them. From Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Otis Redding, Al Green, The Temptations, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Marvin Gaye, James Cleveland, Andrae Crouch…. I mean just a whole gamut of other legendary artists.

K: When the JunkaPraise EP and Bahama Praise Party compilation released, everybody anticipated a full length Tamika Smith album, but that fizzled out and you disappeared for a while. What happened?

TT: Well, I got heavily involved in the work of the ministry. This included being a full-time youth pastor, implementing a two- term Girls’ mentor-

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Everyone has something unique to contribute.

ship program in two primary Government Schools; hosting a few music workshops while serving as Music minister and ministering at various churches through music. Along with all of that, I got married and began a family which requires a lot of time and attention. It was all new to me.

When it comes to completing an album, money plays an extremely important role. At that time, resources were invested in other projects that were going on.

K: You were a single artist navigating the local music industry alone, and then you met your future husband Travante Taylor. How did you know he was the one?

TT: He possessed qualities I desired to see in the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. He loves The Lord not only with words but in lifestyle. He loves me. He’s charming, affectionate, loving, focused, family oriented, respectful, treats me like a queen…just to name a few.

K: Your little daughter is a combination of the Energizer Bunny with old school manners and respect.

Photos courtesy of Tamika Taylor.

TT: We don’t claim to be experts. We simply do what works for us while depending totally on God. I think what also helps, is the fact that we are both educators. We knew we wanted to raise godly, kind, intelligent, mannerly, loving, confident children. So we agreed that we would be deliberate in training and parenting. We prayed with and for our daughter from she was in the womb. We teach her about God through stories, songs, and the way we live. We are affectionate with each other in front of her. She sees us laughing and having fun with each other. We laugh with her. We are affectionate with her. We affirm her.

We discipline her without crushing her spirit. We show manners and expect it from her. It’s a journey and we know that The Lord will hold us accountable for how we rear her.

K: Your husband Travante and yourself held a concert last month to introduce new singles from a new full length album and officially launch a new aspect of ministry.

How long have you been called in this new area? What will your ministry focus entail?

TT: Believe it or not, before we got married, we planned out what we knew God was calling us to do as a family. Our ministry is called TaylorMade Productions where we serve through music, mentorship and tutoring. It is a unique empowerment organization committed to offering a series of music, mentorship and tutoring programmes specifically targeting healthy, spiritual, social, emotional and academic development of youth and young adults. Taylormade is the parent company to Tarua’s School of Music and Tavan’s School of Mentorship and Tutoring.

K: Tell us more about the new album and the process involved with this project.

TT: Well, the new album is entitled, “Clean hands, Pure heart”. They include all original songs, most of which are written by Vante and myself. The album reflects where we’re at spiritually, emotionally, musically.

We contacted one of our good friends, Mr. Darrell Hurston, who is the producer of the album; and presented the songs to him (lyrics and music). Darrell has done an excellent job in working along with us in enhancing the songs through the addi-

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Any parenting tips?

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The album reflects where we’re at spiritually, emotionally, musically.

tion of other instrumentation. It has all been a refreshing experience. We are excitedly looking forward to the finished product!

K: You’re balancing music, work, ministry, motherhood and a husband. When do you find time for yourself? How do you spend it?

TT: I am so grateful for the family I have! When it gets to a point where it seems overwhelming, I can steal away with a good book (I love to read!), or listen to music and I am fine and it’s understood.

Keith: In a country where more women than men attend churches, women still seem to have a more challenging time gaining support to record and release albums here in the Bahamas. Why do you think this is? What advice can you give?

Tamika Taylor: I wish I knew the answer to the first part of this question. I really don’t know. I would say that it is imperative to know who you are and what it is you were placed on this earth to do, and despite obstacles and challenges, execute your life’s mission with determination, love and passion. 

Questions or Comments??? Email BOOM@MadMediaMarketing.com

Photos courtesy of Arthia Nixon

Coming from one of the most beautiful places in the world, Eleutheran, Arthia Nixon is making waves on an international scale. BOOM! Magazine takes a deeper look at Arthia’s journey from a family island to international success.

In 2014, a career in media can mean a multitude of things. From print to radio, tv, and the wide world of online media, becoming a master in all these areas can be a challenging thing to do. Yet Arthia Nixon has managed just that. Starting out as a reporter for The Tribune (Bahamas), Arthia has worked as a correspondent, publicist, media personality, promoter, writer, publisher, and has even appeared on 3 reality TV shows. She readily credits her success to a seed planted long ago by her father who encouraged her to “focus on what‟s happening in your world”. In an interview with BOOM! Magazine Contributor Keith Rolle, Arthia vividly recalled being just 8 years old and having her television time interrupted by her father and a newspaper. The headline- a Haitian drowning in Exuma complete with photos of the shark ravaged bodies.

This was a sharp dose of reality and Arthia‟s first introduction to focusing on what was happening in the world around her. From that point forward

Arthia would recount to her father one news story per day, a practice that stood her in good stead in the years to come.

To get her first job, Arthia took the direct route.

Fresh out of high school she walked straight into The Tribune and asked to see editor Jean Marques.

Impressed with her tenacity he hired her making The Tribune her first official introduction to the working world and journalism. Here her father‟s advice stood her in good stead as she further enhanced her abilities to observe and report accurately.

Arthia impressed her colleagues who were shocked to discover after election day coverage that she was not yet an adult; a conclusion drawn as she lacked the telltale purple voters thumb.

From that point Arthia‟s exposure continued to grow. Marrying at a young age, Arthia relocated to Montreal. Being away from home, newly married in a new city, with a Barcelonian mother-in-law

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to add to the culture shock, Arthia found writing to be a much needed release. Living in an ever-growing digital era, her eyes were opened to a whole new job market- that of freelance writing.

While writing gave her freedom, her marriage left her feeling trapped.

In an interview with host of the radio program Inspiration with Keith on Island 102.5 (Nassau, Bahamas), Arthia recalled the tumultuous times.

She spoke candidly, recalling the isolation she felt having a young child and being in an abusive situation, and said at one point she‟d even hidden her and her daughter‟s passports inside a teddy bear along with emergency funds. Other important documents were kept at a neighbors. A firm believer, Arthia says “If it were not for my faith I would have fallen.” Arthia eventually found the deliverance she sought and after a time relocated to Atlanta, Georgia.

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If it were not for my faith I would have fallen.

It was here that deliverance became restoration. Arthia began her own public relations firm, currently named The Ambassador Agency.

She also became an editor for the Florida and Georgia Star, as well as an official Examiner for the Arts & Entertainment section on Examiner.com. In addition, Arthia is a member of the urban group DIRAdioCast. One could go on listing the titles and positions currently held by Arthia, including that of novelist, however, the true notable fact is that Arthia has continued to rise no matter what cards she was dealt. “It‟s not about being in the difficult situation, it‟s about rising above the situation,” Arthia stated in her interview with Keith.

Not only has Arthia learned to rise but she‟s encouraging others to rise as well. In February 2014 Arthia read to students of P.A. Gibson Primary School on her native island of Eleuthera via live chat and video streaming. The live session was set up in honour of February being Literacy Month in The Bahamas. Being an accomplished Bahamian author, Arthia was highlighted and read to the students from her children‟s book “The Magic Grouper & Other Tales”. Gabrielle Goodman, teach-

er and Literacy Coordinator for P.A. Gibson Primary, said, “...this is someone we can proudly say is one of our own. It was a great reunion for all of us. They [the students] were inspired to see someone who started off just like them from such a small place end up overcoming obstacles to be successful. She showed them photos from her magazine with people like Kenedi [and] Treasure [Bishop], Jacob Latimore, Mindless Behavior, Rupee and other celebrities and diplomats to show them how far her writing has taken her.”

Indeed the sky is the limit for Arthia as her career and international recognition continue to grow. Most recently she‟s worked on the reality series “Bishop‟s Daughters”, as a guest consultant for contestants on 242Untapped, and in 2013 became the publicist for The Atlanta Caribbean Carnival. She is also the author of “Pastor‟s Wives”, a series of novels making quite a splash in the local market.  Contributor, Vanessa D. Mott

To find out more about Industry Insider Arthia Nixon check out the mad media links below. ..

Do you remember what was important when you were four years old? What memories do you value most from those years? I can’t recall much from that time, eons ago, but I know life was pretty simple. I imagine I looked forward to birthdays, Christmas, and playing outside with friends. I can still hear my mother calling me “Torrellllllllllllllll, please come inside”. For one four year old however, life is more complex and less free going… The Beauty known as Zion Knowles.

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eet Zion... This little princess can recite the names of her medication with the same enthusiasm as other kids reciting their ABCs. Zion is four years old and her favorite color is pink. In May of 2012, Zion was diagnosed with Leukemia, a cancer of the blood cells.

I came to know of Zion’s story via Facebook. My assistant shared her story with me and having made a commitment to provide a photo session for one family affected by cancer each year, she suggested Zion and her family be our session for 2012. I agreed and we started planning.

The idea for the shoot was simple; to capture Zion and her family having fun. Although we planned ahead and purchased props, our fingers were crossed. We didn’t know what to expect. Would Zion be able to partake in the activities we had planned?

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Her walk was a

skip and she had a permanent smile.

On the day of the shoot, when the Knowles arrived, out climbed the most beautiful little girl that I had ever set eyes on. Her personality met us before she did. She took off her face mask and was very excited to partake in our photo shoot. She assisted in posing her family members and was extremely photogenic. Joy radiated from her like a sun beam and everything about her was as cheerful and as colorful as her head band. Her walk was a skip and she had a permanent smile.

We bought Zion a Barbie kite to fly with her father and she worked it! Running to and fro with the flash and lens bag like crazy people, we made a strong attempt to keep up with Zion. She had us by a long shot. Sweating and bordering dehydration, we got the job done.

Her energy was more than we bargained for but it was worth the effort.

I couldn’t help but notice her fascination with the grass. It was a challenge at times to capture her focus but her mom explained that because of her hospitalization, she rarely came outside and her meds didn’t allow for much sun. This was the most fun Zion had in a while… running up and down on the grass, flying her kite.

We are extremely grateful to Zion’s parents Jason and Ancilla Knowles for allowing us to meet Zion and share in their joy. Zion’s cancer is presently in remission and her doctors anticipate a full recovery. She is the epitome of beauty, grace and strength and a reminder to appreciate the simple things– the beauty known as Zion Knowles. 

Photos and story by Torrell Glinton

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ou may disagree, but some people are easier to love than others. I know most of you are more evolved than I am and love everyone instantly, however, from time to time God puts a special someone in my path to test the limits of my love. John15:17 says, "This is my command: Love each other". This simple short verse is repeated numerous times. The thing about short verses with heavy words like 'command' and 'love' is that there is no wiggle room. There is no ambiguity. God expects us to do exactly what He says. What does this mean for me and my attitude towards persons who I find challenging to love? Well‌ I go to God in prayer and ask Him to adjust my attitude and help me to love sincerely from the heart. I can almost see eyes rolling in disbelief but I'm telling you, prayer works for me. Give it a try and see what happens. Furthermore, I have to ask myself, "who am I to withhold my love when Christ gives it so freely to me?" That one question puts me in place every time.

My encouragement to you is to show love everyday. Love is more than a warm fuzzy feeling, it is a verb, an action. Listen patiently as your long winded Grandmother tells that story of when she was a girl, even if you have heard it 100 times before ("Love is patient and kind"1Cor13:4). Offer to watch your sibling's 'challenging' children because you love her and she needs a break. Pick up the phone and tell somebody you love them. "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

1Cor13:13. ď‚Ś

Avenel www.avenel-mixednuts.blogspot.com

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ost persons have experienced a time in their life where they simply felt stuck. It could be a relationship that

was not serving, a job that was not fulfilling, a business that was not what one thought it would be, or in a more general sense a life that quite simply does not feel meaningful or purpose-driven. We’ve all been there. Yet the question remains, how does one move beyond stuck to successful?

My passion for change and transformation came when I was pursuing graduate studies in 2001. One class in particular covered change models. It was the catalyst that transformed my life forever. We defined change, identified what an ideal state looks like, discussed why the status quo is so enticing yet frustrating, and how to make the bold and scary transition to one’s ideal state. This new information washed over me like an iced water bath of reality and woke me up from a “stuck stupor” to the realization that there was a better reality than the one I was content living in. Moreover, it prodded me to make the necessary changes to move toward that reality. The truth is, like many I had realized a few years before that there were things I needed to change but that knowledge alone was not enough to get me to move. It’s like the story of the moaning dog told by Les Brown, which I heard from transformational speaker Lisa Nicolls. The story goes that a man was walking in his neighborhood and passed an elderly couple sitting on their porch with their dog lying between them. As the couple sat relaxing, the dog lay there moaning as if in pain.

After a few days of passing the same scene, the man resolved to ask the couple about the dog’s behavior. “Why is your dog lying there moaning?” The couple replied, “Oh him? He’s lying on a nail. It hurts him enough to make him moan but not enough to make him move.” The man was amazed at this response.

The story of the moaning dog shows us two great lessons. Firstly, no one is responsible for getting you unstuck but you. People remain stuck because they are waiting for someone to be their savior or hero and take them out of their pain. This is not the way of life. Usually what life does is show you a picture of what freedom looks like and sends

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teachers along to support your exodus. The teachers do

affirmations that speak to who you truly are. Utilize to-do

not carry you across the Red Sea they simply lead you to

lists and action steps to push you toward that new picture

it.

of freedom and authenticity. These all help to give the

Secondly, the dog became content and mentally made

clarity needed for change and show, often in a startling

the pain bearable enough for him to stay right where he

way, how far from the mark you’ve been up to this point.

was, even though it was uncomfortable. This is why peo-

This is a good thing because if you don’t have a picture of

ple can marvel that someone would stay in an abusive

the future to compare with your present, you will remain

relationship, or continue in addictive, self-destructive

comfortable living below your potential.

behaviors. “Why don’t you just leave?” is the logical

The third stage is taking inspired action. Often, we have

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question. However, as is illustrated by the story, pain is

the information and tools needed, the picture of what

not always a catalyst for movement. For various reasons

could be, and even the desire to achieve it. So what is it

of clarity, comfort, and status, people discover there is a level of pain that they can live with. In fact, some people thrive on pain and selftorture. It is a form of shame and guilt where one feels they are punishing them-

Making the decision to move away from what is not helping, supporting or advancing you is one of the best decisions

that stops us from taking ac-

one can ever make.

success would significantly

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such as fear, inadequacy, lack

tion?

The answer to that

question can be unique for every individual.

For me, it

was a fear of loss and a fear of success. As a former people pleaser, I felt that my

change my social circle re-

selves for sins committed. They feel they deserve the

sulting in loss. So I downplayed my capabilities and let oth-

pain and become content in being stuck.

ers shine all in an effort not to lose them. Whatever the

The truth is that no one has to be stuck. One can be suc-

personal reasons may be, they must be overcome so that

cessful and there are a few stages that can help in the

one can begin to move toward that new vision of reality.

journey to personal success.

Making the decision to move away from what is not help-

The first stage is awareness and acceptance. In order to

ing, supporting or advancing you is one of the best deci-

change one must realize and accept that there are as-

sions one can ever make. The funny thing is, once you get

pects of one’s life that need to change. Persons often

past the discomfort of change, the fear of the unknown,

struggle with letting go of people and activities, holding

and all the rationalizations you make to justify your current

on to them for dear life as if they will be left with noth-

state, you wonder, “Why did I take so long to make this

ing if they let them go, no matter how detrimental they

change?”

are. One must come to and accept this reality without

I love to use my weight release journey as a personal ex-

guilt or shame. It is what it is and the great thing is, “it”

ample of having everything needed and not making a move

can be changed.

to get there. I struggled with maintaining an ideal weight

The second stage is crafting a new vision of reality. A

all my life. I’ve been on weight loss plans and even had

great way to do this is to start keeping a journal and

some measure of success but it was never lasting. My lack

write down the reality you want. Write goals. Jot down

of success was not due to a lack of information or tools. I

had the information and I also had the vision. Like many others, I’ve bought clothes in the new desired size – that sexy dress, pair of jeans or swimsuit – and watched it until I had to give it away to someone else because I never got to goal. In addition to information and vision, I also had the desire. I wanted it. I longed for it. What, then, was stopping me from living that dream?

In December 2012 I realized that I needed to release not just the weight but all the baggage that was holding me back. This was when the weight finally started to leave. I examined myself and my decisions.

Everything is a choice. What you eat, when you eat, where you eat, how you eat, and why you eat. I had to accept that I ate emotionally based Photos courtesy of Simmone L. Bowe

on what was happening around me. I realized that what I thought were physical cravings actually stemmed from the emotional crisis I was experiencing. This epiphany gave me the discipline and self-control needed to challenge the cravings. I asked myself, “Why do you really want that?” As the weight slowly dissipated I could see the reality of my vision unfolding, and my motivation, desire, and most importantly, my sense of self-control increased. This stage is called inspired action because something has to get you to the place where you want to take action and keep you there until you arrive at your destination.

The fourth stage is analysis and adjustment. During this time one must analyze their progress and continually make adjustments as needed. Change models may refer to this as maintenance. The comfort zone has a magnetic pull that can easily draw you back into its clutches, especially when the going gets tough on the way to vision fulfilled. It is tempting to give up and say, “Forget it! This is too hard,” and then rationalize the so-called benefits of going back to where you started. This is why some people live lives of regret and die with untapped, unexplored, underutilized potential. Nothing is fixed in stone.

There will be necessary adjustments to methods, plans and strategies to get where you want to go. Some people become stuck in a path because it was a plan or a goal they committed to. Goals can be changed based on what’s working and what’s not. Release the old agreement you had with the goal and make a new one. It’s that simple.

This is what makes the fifth and final stage most necessary: celebration. We have to celebrate milestones on our journey to success. At the time of this article, I have released thirty-five pounds from my body and life. Has it been easy? Not at all but I can see progress and so can others. I get compliments and people are inspired to begin their own wellness journey because of my success. I post pictures of my victory so far but remain grounded in the knowledge that I am nowhere near my goal. I am not even halfway there but right here feels darn good and I know that if I maintain what I’ve been doing I will get to where I want to be. Celebrating milestones helps to measure progress and set benchmarks for future success. It also means you have come to the end of an era and a new beginning is emerging.

Being stuck can be a way of life if you accept it. Evolving and growing as a person is part of the joy of life’s journey. While success is relative, defined by each individual, being stuck will paralyze you and no matter what success looks like you will only see it from a distance if you don’t make the choice to stop moaning and get unstuck. Finding the courage to move takes a resolve that most don’t even believe they have but is a part of our human nature. It’s just a choice away. I challenge you to let go of what is keeping you bound, embrace what can be, take a leap of faith and get moving towards your success! 