PERFORMING ARTIST Da South Ga Sumtin to Say!!

“I gern on a ghost move. Waaay down by Sally-Sue.”

By Yolanda Hanna

Photographs Courtesy Of LMG Photography

His energy is electric, and his love for Bahamian music and culture is rooted in his upbringing in Matthew Town, Inagua.

This year, Bahamian singer, songwriter, and producer Avvy will celebrate nearly 20 years in the music business. Never one to forget his roots, Avvy’s passion for rake ‘n’ scrape has sustained his lengthy career, and, this year, he is barrelling forward with a new project that demonstrates he has no interest in slowing down.

His latest offering, “Da South Ga Sumtin to Say!!” is a testimony to the evolution of Avvy the artist.

Avvy launched his music career in 2004 on the southernmost island of The Bahamas. The new project was recorded on Inagua, marking a full-circle moment for the entertainer. His album also features a band from his hometown, and, under his mentorship, the young musicians will officially launch their careers and release their first music project this year.

Up and Away sat with Avvy to discuss his long career, recent return to the stage, and exciting new projects.

Up and Away: You’re celebrating almost 20 years in the music business this year. You recorded your first three songs in 2004. What were they? And are they still popular with audiences today?

The first three songs I recorded were “Roach On My Bread”, “Whine Granny Whine” and “Ghost Move”. Are they still popular with audiences? Yes, they are! I can’t leave the stage until I’ve performed every one of those songs; believe me, I’ve tried (laughs). But I’m thankful and I praise God that people still love the music after all these years.

Up and Away: Which one is the most popular song?

Definitely “Ghost Move” was and still is my most popular song. Like I said, I cannot leave the stage without performing that song. But the older generation loved “Whine Granny Whine”, and people still cling to “Roach On My Bread”. It’s a “Bahamian Talk” that never goes away.

Up and Away: You were missing from the music scene for a while. You weren’t performing or releasing any new music. Now that you’re back, audiences are happy to see Avvy on stage again and hear your new music on the radio. Tell us what led to the hiatus.

Well, before the pandemic, I had planned to take three years off to relax and focus on my family. Then, COVID -19 happened, and the industry was shut down for three years, so I ended up chillin’ for six years. I’m thankful for that time off because it helped me to refocus, get centered, and appreciate life outside of music. When I got back into the studio, I was ready to work on new music. When I released the music and returned to the stage, the country was waiting for me to come back.

Up and Away: We definitely agree with you Avvy. We follow you on social media and we can tell by the videos you post from your performances that Bahamians have missed seeing you on stage. The warm reception almost feels like “our little brother” has returned home! We think audiences have an affinity for Avvy. Do you sense that?

Absolutely! The connection I feel from the audience is indescribable. When I started my career 19 years ago, I was young. At that time, I was one of the youngest artists performing rake ‘n’ scrape music. Over the years, the audience has watched me grow and a demographic has grown up with me. When I returned to the stage last year, I felt the love, energy, and positive vibes emulating from the audience at every performance. When I perform at regattas and heritage festivals, I feel at home.

Up and Away: Now that the country is fully open, do you think that Bahamians have a new level of appreciation for our music and culture?

Yes, I do. During the pandemic, I posted a comment on my social media page that said, “When the country opens up, I’m going to be the best Bahamian I can be!” I promised not to miss Junkanoo or a regatta because you don’t miss those things until they are taken away. I think people who probably weren’t that interested in our culture before the pandemic feel the same way I do.

Now that those events are back, I want to do everything I can to add to our culture, to the lives of the Bahamian people, and the growth of our region. That’s what I mean when I say, “I want to be the best Bahamian I can be.”

Up and Away: Anyone in The Bahamas who has heard the name Avvy knows your name is synonymous with the island of Inagua. Tell us about your childhood and what attracted you to rake ‘n’ scrape music.

The community of Inagua is entrenched in what it means to be Bahamian, and a large part of that comes from our music – rake ‘n’ scrape, goombay, and Junkanoo.

I had a wonderful childhood in Matthew Town. My parents were lovely. I was a sharp kid and I loved music. So, growing up I learned to play different instruments and I even played with a band. I always loved music. My father was an excellent musician, and he also had a band.

Rake ‘n’ scrape is my first love! It does something to me that I cannot explain. The first three songs I wrote started as poems (he laughs). I went home to Inagua one summer and I got a summer job. One day, I decided to read my poetry to my co-workers on the bus. They loved my poems and encouraged me to turn them into songs.

That summer, I met Bahamian singer/songwriter/producer/musician Ira Storr. He came to Inagua to perform at the Homecoming Festival, and I read my poems to him. Ira told me if I was serious about recording the songs, I should come and see him. The rest is history.

I represent Inagua so hard because we are the third largest island in The Bahamas with one of the smallest communities. Everybody knows everybody, and the residents have a stake in what comes out of Inagua.

When I launched my music career, my support began in Inagua. Then, I received support from Inaguans living in Grand Bahama. Many people don’t know this, but my music took off in Freeport before it got to Nassau. But my fan base is rooted in Inagua.

Up and Away: Are you still connected to your home and your Inagua roots?

Yes, I am. I’ve done shows, a 5k run; one year I did “ABC – Avvy Brings Carnival” to Inagua, and other initiatives. My new project is a recording studio I recently built and completed in Inagua. I am very proud of that. The band I mentored, Da New Breed Band, are the studio engineers. So, now we have a studio in Inagua where artists can come and record. We are on the launch pad of becoming one of the best studios in the south! The music is evolving. I have a few new artists from Inagua in the pipeline that I’m working with, and new music will be coming from them soon.

Up and Away: Congratulations Avvy! Tell us about the new music and what we can expect from Avvy this year.

My album is ready; however, Da New Breed will release their project before I release mine.

The band and I wrote the songs together for their album. I’m featured on one of the tracks and excited because what you’re going to hear is the music of Inagua. I watched this band grow and the music is one hundred percent Inagua because “da south ga sumtin to say” (he laughs).

I want to contribute to our culture and the growth of the industry.

I have recorded almost 40 songs during my career. This year, I released “Thank God It’s a Holiday” and “Jack Don’t Know How To Act”, and they are getting a lot of radio love. A lot of good things are happening this year.

I’ve never forgotten where I came from because, like I said, da south gat sumtin to say! UA