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
# # #
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

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.”