The Tribune

By FARAH

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

THE GAP between the old generation of Bahamian musicians and the new is being bridged through the efforts of four local musicians. With a speciality in four different genres, the four have merged their acts to send a message.

For too long, they say, there has been debate on what is the real definition of  Bahamian music. And for too long, only music that has elements of rake n scrape, and goombay have been branded “the real deal”.

This new conglomerate call themselves the Rat Pack. They are made up of Dillion “D-Mac” Mckenzie, Mdeez, Sosa Man, and Sammi Starr.

All of them perform different styles of music as D-Mac performs rake n scrape; Mdeez, reggae; Sosa Man hip hop; and Sammi Starr, R&B. What connects them is that they have a keen interest in seeing Bahamian musicians unite despite their differences.

Mdeez told In Ya Ear what is great about this collaborative effort is that each of them represent a different genre that their fans love.

“We perform four different genres of music and that is what stands out the most to me. We are showing unity amongst ourselves.”

“For years we been going through this thing of trying to figure out what is Bahamian, when really and truly none of that matters. All of us are Bahamian artists who are talented and the only thing that matters is that we are trying to do something that will better our music,” said Mdeez.

Although the artists have come together the to form the Rat Pack, they will maintain their individual images.

“Mdeez has his fans; Sammi has his; Sosa Man has his and I have mine. This is all about bridging the gap. What I have noticed over time is that some of the younger people are liking traditional Bahamian music. And I thought it would be a good idea to hook up with these guys and make that cross over,” said D-Mac. Over the course of the next few months, music enthusiasts can expect singles  featuring the four artists.

“If not the four of us on one song; it might be a pair at a time. And sometimes it may not be all of us singing or rapping on one record. All of the guys are good writers, so we might have collaborations where the song may be written by Sammi or Mdeez and I am working on the production. It will be like this and vice versa,”

D-Mac told In Ya Ear.  

D-Mac said they have been planning and preparing for their launch months ago. He said they are all excited to see the Rat Pack finally come to fruition.

They all worked together and realised that along with sharing the same vision they had chemistry.

In the midst of this shared vision to see Bahamians musicians unite was also the desire to give back. Each artist will adopt a special charity.

“We are all about giving back to the community. I have adopted a cancer charity, because of my brother who was diagnosed with cancer. So I decided to pick up that charity. We also plan to go to different organisations to lend our time.

We are just so grateful for where we are and we just want to give back,” he said.

The Rat Pack is also planning a huge back to school event sometime in August. During the event children will be given supplies for the school year. There will also be a mini concert during the event.