The Tribune

By FARAH

BAHAMIAN artist Papa Smurf is back with "Bahamian Girl", a second release from his upcoming album.

The new song is Papa Smurf's second relationship themed single for the year. Last month he released "Marry Me", a song centered around love, romance, and relationships.

Bahamian Girl took Papa Smurf little effort to bring to life as he takes pleasure in singing about love and relationships. However, the artist said there are not many songs being played on the radio like "Bahamian Girl".

"What inspired me to write the song is I noticed there are a lot of songs on the radio where the rapper talks about going out with his friends and then afterwards linking up with his girlfriend. But there are not a lot of songs depicting a couple hanging out together and just having a great time. It's a simple song but it is fun and I think listeners can relate to it," he told In Ya Ear.

The artist said too often individuals in relationships make other people priority, rather than giving undivided attention and spending quality time with their partners.

The ode to Bahamian women is the last song Papa Smurf plans to release from his new album "700 Hundred Strong", as not to give away the entire album.

After production of his upcoming album is completed, Papa Smurf told In Ya Ear that he will start "window shopping" for an international record label to be signed to.

He said he is interested in being signed to international labels Interscope and Rocnation. So far he has distributed his music to the labels, but has not heard from them.

In the past, Papa Smurf said he was told by several labels that in order to appeal internationally, he would have to change his sound. Papa Smurf frequently uses Bahamian colloquialism, which the record labels felt international listeners would not be able to relate to.

"I did several interviews, but the challenge they said was that where I use so much Bahamian slang in my music, they said they were not sure if people would gravitate to my music or if they would understand it," he told In Ya Ear

One thing the artist said he does not intend to do is compromise his style to meet the standards of the industry.

"The reason why I would love to be signed to Interscope Records is because that label is so diverse; I do not believe they would ask me to change my sound. I think they will work with me," he said.

"I am Bahamian. This is who I am and this is who I will remain. I am not going to change my sound just because someone else wants me to. I cannot pretend to be a Jamaican or an American, and changing my sound is something I am not going to do. But if nothing materialises in terms of the record deal, I will continue to do my music," he said.

Before pursuing a music career internationally, Papa Smurf said he wants to perform on every Family Island to ensure that his fellow Bahamians can get to know him.

"Before I perform anywhere else I want the people on the Family Islands to become more familiar with me and my sound. I cannot go abroad and Bahamians here do not know who I am," Papa Smurf said.

The artist also said that later on in the year he and several other Bahamian artists will attempt his first rake n' scrape song.

"After I am done with the album I am also going to attempt rake n' scrape. This is something I always wanted to do. I have never tried any other genre, so this will be a first," he said.