Freeport, Bahamas – Eight semi-finalists (and ten songs) will be moving on to the final round of the 2016 Music Masters competition. Contestants are battling for the $20,000 grand prize and a chance of a lifetime, to go on a local and international promotional tour.
The semi-finalists gathered in Grand Bahama, April 15 and 16, and performed on a crowded Taino Beach, as they worked the crowd with their pulsating songs and dances, despite the inclement weather conditions. They performed with backing band The Spank Orchestra led by Ira Storr.
Top 10 songs that emerged on top, included: Party All Night by Avvy; Feel that Rhythm and I Live For The Road by Lady E; Block Da Road by Ebony; Rhythms and Carnival Time by Jive; Second Time Around by Sammi Star; Turn it Up by Colyn McDonald; Rake ‘N’ Scrape Soca Junkie by Terelle Tynes–Wilson; Digg up Da Road by FanShawn Taylor.
The song competition music is available online: the music videos are located on the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival’s Facebook and YouTube pages; and the music on Sound Cloud. Fans are encouraged to request the music on the radio. For the second year, the contestants had the opportunity to work with a professional producer to transform their demo tracks into professionally mastered song. This year they worked with recording artist and producer Julien Believe.
Judging for the competition started last year when the contestants submitted their demos. The first round of judging locked in 50 per cent of their scores. Scores from the Grand Bahama Kickoff contributed 30 per cent to the overall total. The current tally is only known by the auditors, Baker and Tilly. The final 20 percent of the score will be determined in Nassau at the mega concert on Friday, May 6. The scoring for the competition is cumulative, so points from each round are added together for a grand total.
In the second year of competition, the new Top 10 contestants will cement the Music Masters tradition, which has over the past two years produced 240 new songs composed by Bahamian artists. Forty-five of these songs have been professionally produced by the Bahamas National Festival Commission, which also invested in the production of professional music videos this year for the Top 20 semifinalists.
In a pre-performance interview, Valene Rolle and Ilsha Mcphee, the two members of Jive, the only group, said they had hoped the judges would see the beauty of their music. Apparently the judges did.
“Our songs are the bomb; we’re very proud of them and we hope the judges will see that we’re not coming out here to sell anything but our talent and our music,” said the melodious pair.
Fellow finalist Terelle Tynes-Wilson said although it was wet outside, she felt extremely motivated to perform.
“I’m somebody who loves to garden and be outside. When everyone is running inside from the rain, I’m going outside to check on my plants. So this is my hype right now and it’s fantastic,” she said.
Lady E, two-time Music Masters competitor, said Bahamian culture is very dear to her and she will continue to push her culture.
“I have a genuine love for my country. Just like Pauline Davis, we’re trying to build our country. This brings tears to my eyes and I want to take this to the world,” she added.
BNFC Chairman, Paul Major said the talent continues to define the festival.
“The quality and fusion of the locally produced music and the variety of local and international artists are greatly helping to define our festival,” Major said.
The eight finalists will now take the show to Nassau, where they will share the grand stage with Bahamian mega acts D Mac and Visage, along with Grammy Award winner Wyclef Jean and leading female Soca artist Destra.
Tickets are now on sale for the Nassau leg of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival. They can be purchased at any Cash & Go location or online at BahamasJunkanooCarnival.com.
Tickets to Da Cultural Village are $15 on Thursday and Saturday. On Friday for the Music Masters Song Competition Finals and Mega Concert, tickets are $25 for General Admission and $75 VIP. Da Cultural village will be free every day from 12pm-6pm.
For more information about Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival 2016 visit BahamasJunkanooCarnival.com.
