The Tribune

By Alesha Cadet

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

Four years ago, some might have said, ‘I need to see it to believe it’, but party promoters promise, their headline artist Mavado will bring a performance to the Bahamas free of violent lyrics and free of profanity, all in the name of increasing the peace.

The concert, to be held on September 1 at Club Luna is the highlight event for the Increase the Peace initiative created by 24KT event promoters.

Cheldin Brown, 24KT management director, said the campaign is aimed towards bringing about an “anti-gang and gun violence” message.

The essence of putting on a show of this magnitude in regards to Increase the Peace, we wanted to bring someone who the younger people in society can relate to. So we looked for someone who was a gangster and decided to make a change for the better and change their life,” said Mr Brown.

The promotion company may be new to the party scene, but it is working hard to ensure its first event is not its last. In the next few weeks, beginning August 30, the Increase the Peace campaign will kick off.


Jamaican artist Mavado is not a new name or face to the shores of the Bahamas. In 2009 he was denied access into the country to perform at the “Millennium Countdown Concert”.

This was due to the singer being labelled as an artist with “violent lyrics.”

The then State Minister for Immigration Branville McCartney was accused by promoters of the concert as being discriminating, over his refusal to grant the musician access into the country.
Mr Brown told In Ya Ear that this will definitely not be a problem at the Increase The Peace event, as he was already granted the much needed confirmation from government officials to feature Mavado in concert.

"We spoke to the relevant government officials and they gave us our permission to bring him in for the increase the peace effort and for the event. As far as lyric wise, there would not be any violent lyrics and it would be free of profanity. He is coming to Increase the peace, so all of the songs he will be performing will be positive,” said Mr Brown.


Speaking on behalf of Mavado, Mr Brown added: “He has stated how honoured he is that our Bahamian government is one that believes in second chances and will allow him a special visit to aid in this very honourable initiative.”


Mr Brown said Mavado looks forward to coming to the Bahamas and he plans to use his stardom to positively influence the fight against crime.

“He is also willing to lend a helping hand wherever deemed fit as he shows our Bahamaland, that yes, he is a positive agent of change,” said Mr Brown.


“He has noted and accepted his past mistakes and has since shown a change of character and mindset. He now leads a God fearing prosperous life as a musician touring the world. He has become renowned for his anti-violence campaigns, many of which he has led within the past year throughout the Caribbean,”

He added that patrons are “going to get their money’s worth”.

With Mavado recently signing to the American record label “Cash Money Records”, he is someone the young people in society are quite familiar with.


“Hope and Pray,” is one of Mavado’s most positive songs, said Mr Brown. He said there are quite a few songs but this one stands out the most for its positivity.


“This song really sends a positive message that you really just have to hope and pray for God to change you and may your destiny be better when you’re going through difficult times,” he said.


Mavado will be headlining the show on September 1, but there will also be a number of local acts performing at the concert, such as Bahama Boys, Jahem and Sasha Dunn. Patrons can also look forward to a surprise guest performance.