Manifest Spreads Hip Hope To Barbados With HISLife, HISMic Tour

Bridgetown, Barbados… Bahamian hip hop icon Manifest is spreading hip hope to the island nation of Barbados this week and he’s bringing along his music, his mission and debuting a protégé. The artiste, who is unofficially crowned the prince of positive hip hop is making Barbados the first Caribbean island to sample his latest album HISLife HISMic, his most critically acclaimed to date. Bajans can expect Manifest to hit up some venues from March 25th to March 29th.
Barely 30, Manifest is considered a veteran in Caribbean hip hop, having launched his own record label Dunamus Soundz Records while still a teen and founded the Bahamas Hip Hop Fest over a decade ago. Barbados is the first Caribbean stop on his 2010 Hip Hope tour which will hit Miami next week, the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos plus several Canadian and mid-western American cities. The multi-award winning artiste and producer had eased up on touring last year due to the birth of his first child, Johanan Manifest Parks with his wife Bahamian writer/filmmaker Radel.
“I can’t wait to be back in Barbados,” said Manifest. “The last time I was there, I was 12 years old and participating in a track meet but this is my first trip as an artist and I am looking forward to meeting the Bajan fans and performing for them at various venues while reminding them to spread hip hope instead of just getting caught up. I also hope to drop in to some of the youth organizations and schools to encourage those who will be coming up behind me to put a positive message back into the arts. It’s one thing for them to see Caribbean people blow up big abroad as entertainers but it’s another thing to ensure that we maintain a good image and set an example because we are not just carrying the weight of our individual islands or nation, we are repping the region. It doesn’t matter if its music, sports or something else, we have to set a standard, you know.”
Joining Manifest on the tour will be former Bahamian teen rapper Big Willie, who will be debuting his first full length album. Wilshire Dawkins aka WD-40 will show Bajans how he kept holding onto his title on Teen Scene (a Bahamian youth talk show with an American Idol-like sing/rap off talent segment). WD-40 already holds a special place in his heart for Barbados as his wife is a native.
“I plan to deliver,” says Manifest when asked of how Bajans will receive his music. “I know WD-40 can deliver, but even though my hip hop style is unconventional, I plan to deliver too. I mean there is the basis of hip hop on the album but we’ve also got some old school funk, opera –yes opera, rock, alternative and contemporary in there. So I think those who check me out on tour will find themselves in for a pleasant surprise.”
For more information check out www.dunamussoundz.com
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Should you like to arrange an interview with Manifest while he is in your area, please contact theambassadoragency@gmail.com or arthia.nixon@gmail.com

Leah Discovers Luck of the Leprechaun: Sole Bahamian Gymnast Grabs Gold At Int’l Meet

By Arthia Nixon, The Ambassador Agency

Orlando, Florida… 14 year-old Leah Rodgers made The Bahamas proud by capturing a first place title in one of her five events at an international gymnastics meet over the weekend. Rodgers, who is a member of Nassau ‘Nastics, was the only Bahamian and Caribbean competitor at the 2010 Leprechaun Classics in Florida. This was her first ever competition.

The young athlete wowed the judges and blew away her competition by getting top marks with super splits and fantastic flips in her floor routine. Rodgers returned to the competition ring and earned a medal on the bars and on the vault. Despite slipping off of the balance beam during her display, Rodgers jumped back into competition to continue her routine.

“I did my best to focus and I exceeded my expectations,” said Rodgers. “I am very, very happy. I was disappointed with the beam but glad I got my medals in the other areas.”

“Leah gave an amazing first time performance,” said Head Coach of Nassau ‘Nastics Trevor Ramsey with pride. “Her mother and I were the only two familiar faces in the whole gymnasium and she didn’t even have any teammates since the other Nassau ‘Nastics members are participating in other events. Yet, despite all the nerves, especially it being her first competition, she did fantastic and captured three medals. I am extremely proud of her accomplishments.”