The Tribune

By LESH

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

HER ULTIMATE goal is to go global with her music, but for now, Bahamian Darrenique Mortimer is continuing her university studies and developing her craft.

The 22 year old told In Ya Ear that she was introduced to music at the age of four by members of her family, and ever since she has been active in the field.

“I attended Bahamas Academy Elementary where I had the chance to participate in the National Arts Festival for a few consecutive years accompanied by Mr Nelson Bain. I then attended St Augustine’s College where I was a music ambassador for the school my whole stay. I sang the national anthem at assemblies and travelled to different events where I was accompanied by Mr Ian Young,” said Darrenique.

Throughout her transition from primary to high school, Darrenique said she took piano classes with instructor Eddie Hanna. This led to her taking international exams with the Royal Schools of Music in London.

“Always putting God first I sang with the youth choir at the Maranatha Seventh Day Adventist church as I am a part of the Seventh Day Adventist Mass Youth Choir directed by my aunt Monique McKenzie,” said Darrenique.

Some of Darrenique’s music includes a rendition of the recent “This Christmas” song written and produced by local singer Sammi Starr. The Nassau native said she looks up to Sammi as a big brother, as he helped her to mature into her musical craft.

“I worked with Landlord and his most recent album on the song “Stay with me.” Moreover, I have underground music that I’m working on that has not been released to the public as yet,” said Darrenique.
Currently attending the Florida Memorial University, Darrenique said she is also a part of the University’s Ambassador Chorale. She is also a member of the Florida based “Euphoria” live band.

“We sing at weddings or any formal events such as corporate gigs. I went to Washington, DC to sing at the “105 Voices of History” where we visited and sang at the Kennedy Center and the White House. This was the best experience ever getting to know and meeting new influential people. We were accompanied by Ms Jennifer Holiday whom I had a chance of meeting personally,” said Darrenique.

At this stage in her life, Darrenique said she is not pursuing music full time due to her university studies. However, she said music stands as a huge part of her life and it will always be that way.

“I plan on singing until the day I die because I believe this is my purpose in life and the gift that God blessed me with so I don’t think there will ever be a time where I am not active,” said Darrenique.

Her music can be found on YouTube under the name ACL Euphoria. Darrenique said she has always received great feedback from her performances and those who have listed to her recorded music.

She gives credit to her immediate family for always being a big support system in her life.
“They all positively affect me in different ways but my mother Lisa Mortimer has really been my musical backbone. She taught me almost everything I know about singing and she was my first music coach. She always was hard on me in the right times and never let me give up on my dreams. She taught me principals and morals and about life. She is the reason I am the woman I am today,” said Darrenique.

She encouraged Bahamian artists to believe that they can achieve their music goals.

“Not to say we should step away from our culture because we can always implement the Bahamian culture in your own way, but I feel like we need to step outside the box and think more creatively about how we can expand our networks and become more internationally known,” said Darrenique. The only way of doing this, she said, is to network with people all over the world.