Reggae Singing Scientist On The “Rise” With Music Video Debut In Atlanta

By Arthia Nixon, The Ambassador Agency

Atlanta, Georgia... Despite being known globally for his groundbreaking research that landed him in the pages of Chemosphere, one up and coming scientist is about to go where few scientists have gone. Sure, chemist Alexander Borodin was a composer, The Cellmates were a rock band of Yale biologists, physicist Diane de Kerckhoven’s jazz singing took her to perform for the likes of Bill Clinton and Paul McCartney and even Albert Einstein was a well received violinist. But none have won a Dove award, two Marlin Awards or debuted their music video with Bahamian pop princess TaDa outside their homeland.
Yet, this is a feat that Stefan ‘The Scientist’ Moss has accomplished while balancing his blossoming science career and raising his young daughter with his wife. When speaking with Moss who makes you feel like a friend by immediately encouraging you to refer to him as Stefan, it’s hard to believe you are in the midst of a Caribbean celebrity whose musical resume includes being featured on projects along with Grammy award winning artist Speech of Arrested Development, gospel crooner Canton Jones, and Kanye West’s G.O.O.D recording artist Tony Williams.
His most recent accomplishment was about a week ago in Atlanta when he released his new album Origins and music video Rise in conjunction with DIRadiocast.com. Attendees such as Olympian Leevan ‘Superman’ Sands, So$aMan, Mylow and Monster Cable (creators of the Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones) got a treat when TaDa joined Moss on stage to perform their hit song.
“Its so amazing to be at this point,” he says reflecting on growing up in The Bahamas and now researching science while making music in north America. “I got to work with TaDa, who I grew up making music with as a teenager when we were members of the group Supernatural along with Raymond “Double Syx” Eneas (another musical import from The Bahamas). Now those crazy dreams are no longer dreams they are actually being lived out.”
The video for the song Rise was shot by Bluehole Pictures, an Atlanta-based company. It takes viewers to the side of Nassau, Bahamas not often seen in the films or commercials. Set to the flow of a hip-hop/reggae/r&b beat, Rise is the soundtrack for Moss to showcase local hangouts like the Paradise Island Bridge, The Caves, Fort Montague, Stone’s Throw and the Queen’s Staircase.
The meaning of Rise however has been adapted as a motivational mandate especially by Facebook users who have been updating their status to “never giving up, rise to the top”.
“I just wanted to send a message of hope and encouragement to everyone facing adversity and difficult times,” Moss says of the song which has already hit several top ten lists. “I want anyone who listens to it to know that they can continue to pursue their dreams and not allow anyone or anything to hold them back!”
Origins, featuring Rise is available on iTunes and Amazon.

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.”

Workers Academy Junkanoo Babies Delight In First Ever Parade

By Arthia Nixon (The Ambassador Agency) for Workers Academy, Photos by Dion Maycock

Nassau, The Bahamas… Over 300 tiny tots with their eyes all aglow kicked off the holiday season by hosting their Bay Street worthy version of Junior Junkanoo Babies on Parade on Wednesday. The participating students are all a part of Workers Academy and Childcare Centre Junkanoo Babies Parade.

Several fun themes were displayed such has Ne-Hao Kai-Lan and China, Sesame Street, Educational Characters, and the Living Things Made By God.

According to principal of the institution, Dale Davis, the parade was an immense success mainly in part to the school’s Parent Teacher Association and parent involvement. She especially acknowledged the crowd of spectators that stayed strong from 10 to 2.30 pm.

“We held the parade in the middle of the day and parents took time from their jobs to see their children participate,” she said. “We’ve had parents come and decorate the cribs of those who are too little to make the rush and we had parents stay late into the evening or come in extremely early to make certain that their children’s classes were ready.”

Principal Davis says that the main objective of educating children about their culture was fulfilled based on what she saw.

“We sought to educate our students about their culture in a direct hands-on approach,” she said. “We wanted give them all aspects from learning, to coloring, to making costumes and to rush and based on the parent feedback that we’ve been getting, who knows, we might consider looking into joining the major parade next year.”

Workers Academy and Childcare Centre, which facilitates children from three months to sixth grade is the education arm of the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union and is attached to Workers House in New Providence.

Model Chanel Iman; Here's to you Ms. Robinson!

When your parents name you Chanel Iman Robinson, you’d better be able to live up to that fierceness. Now that reigning young black model Jourdan Dunn is expecting her first child, 20 year-old Chanel Iman is left to stand solo on the pedestal that Tyra, Naomi and the original Iman built.

With her exotic eyes and caramel complexion, Chanel Iman is a true model citizen who looks like no one else. Additionally, she’s only 5.9” and still somehow taking the fashion world by storm. One Google image search of her name proves why agents go gaga when she steps into the room. It also helps that her personality is awesomely positive. The Atlanta native is part Korean and part black and from the sibling pics posted on her Myspace page, it’s easy to see that beauty genes run in her family. Her Myspace page also says she’s married but we’re wondering about that. If she is, good for her, if she’s notgood for her. Relationships are things that you do on your own and we tend to mind our own business about.

Chanel Iman was last month’s Teen Vogue covergirl and we’re surprised that she hasn’t nailed a whole lot more covers in the time she’s been out there. Perhaps because she’s been stomping down some of the world’s leading catwalks. In fact, at Milan Fashion Week in September 2009 to showcase the Spring 2010 collections, Chanel Iman seized nines shows (including fashion giants Gucci, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana). She was credited as leading the resurgence of black models being featured in Italian shows.

For the record, she comes across as well spoken and a beauty with a brain. Regardless, we know that she is one to watch and she’s our You Ought 2 Know model for now. By the way, happy birthday to you Chanel!

Want more Chanel Iman? Click on her name above to check out her Myspace page

Bahamian Gymnasts Clinch 5th Place In Individual Categories At Florida Meet

Coral Springs, Florida… Six Bahamian gymnasts brought home a trophy after making their mark at the recent Fright Night invitational meet in Coral Springs, Florida. Members of the all female team are all trained at Nassau ‘Nastics, the nation’s oldest gymnastics club. While the team did not win the overall title, as the smallest contingent at the meet, they still fared well with two team members landing in the top five for their categories.

“They all tried their best and they did fairly well,” said Coach Diana Whylly who, along with Coach Lavette Saunders, prepared the team. “We don’t have the facilities that they have in the United States to practice with nor do we have multiple clubs to compete against. So when you consider those factors, the team did well. However, we got to see areas on which we can improve and we plan to work on those areas so that our next meet is more successful.”

Savannah Brady, (top photo) the youngest member of the team, beat out nearly 20 other participants to capture fifth place on her favorite event, the floor routine with a score of 9.050. She placed 11^th on vault with 9.225 and 15^th in both bars and beam. Overall, she placed 11^th in her category with 34.175 points. Also scoring an individual fifth place title was Kristy Daniels (centre photo) with a 9.275 on the vault. Placing 16^th overall with 33.525 points, Daniels scored 7.9 on the bars, 7.7 on beam and 8.650 on the floor.

Both Angel and Peyton Willie placed 18^th in their levels. Angel scored 8.8 on vault, 7.725 on bars, 6.150 on beam and 7.650 on floor for an overall score of 30.325. Meanwhile, Peyton scores were 8.650 on vault, 7.450 on bars, 6.950 on beam and 8.125 on the floor to a total of 31.175 points.

Angelique Strachan placed 12^th overall in her division with total score o 32.175. She scored an 8.550 on vault, 8.4 on bars, 7.625 on beam and 7.6 on her floor routine. Rounding on the team with a score of 31.700 overall was Athalia Swann who placed 16^th after scoring a 9.0 on vault, 7.150 on bars, 7.800 on beam and 7.750 on floor.

“This is only the first meet for some of the team members so it gave them a chance to see what they are competing against,” noted Head Coach of Nassau ‘Nastics, Trevor Ramsey. “What is good about the team is that they are eager and willing to learn new things and they all understand that they have to put their best forward. The main reason we seek to provide them with opportunities to compete abroad is for exposure. There are so many doors that can be opened with successful gymnastics when you think about scholarships and more. So, now that they are back and we have seen their potential, we are going to work and take them to the next level.”

Lightbourne to Lead Convocation To Strengthen Dying Christian Values In The Nation

“We are at a moral crossroad in The Bahamas where much of the traditional values are being eroded or completely abandoned.” Pastor Franklin Lightbourne gets set to host 32^nd Annual Convocation to take back the spiritual pillars of the nation. >>>>

Nassau, Bahamas…With the moral fibre of the community giving way to violence, homosexuality, greed, corruption and crime, one pastor is seeking to strengthen the Christian values that are dying by joining forces with six other clergymen for the 32^nd annual Revival Faith Mission Holy Convocation to address the spiritual condition of The Bahamas. The weeklong nightly event is scheduled to begin on Monday the 26^th of October at the church on Malcolm Road east, with two 12.30pm sessions on Tuesday and Thursday.

Franklin C. Lightbourne (pictured), Pastor of Revival Faith Mission said that this year’s timely theme was derived from Revelations 3:2 which reads “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.” (NIV).

“This describes the spiritual condition of our nation and what the church is called to do at this time,” said Pastor Lightbourne. “We are at a moral crossroad in The Bahamas where much of the traditional values are being eroded or completely abandoned. We must make every effort to strengthen those things- the Christian morals and values that are dying in our churches, in our homes and in every sphere of society. We must revive them, and re-establish those foundational principles on which this nation was built, as the spiritual pillars for the younger generation to live by.”

Other ministers participating in what has been described as a “wave of glory to the nation” include Apostle C. Clifford Smith III, Southside Christian Ministries; Pastor Joseph Cox, El-Shaddai Ministries Int’l; Bishop Tony Hanna, Jurisdictional Bishop of COGIC; Pastor Ellison Greenslade, Bible Truth Ministries; Bishop Deon Mott, Lighthouse Apostolic Ministries; and Bishop Cedric Bullard, Revival Time Pentecostal, Abaco. For more information call 326-6114 at the church or fclightbourne@yahoo.com or www.revivalfaithmission.com