The Tribune

By LESH

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

PAYING respect to the most important female figures in his life, popular Bahamian singer Sammi Star said he owes his success to all his ‘leading ladies’.

Over the last five years, Sammi Star has become known for such hit songs such as “Good To Know You”, “ I’ll Never Leave”, “ Pick Me” and “ Un-official Love”.

He is also a member of the music group The Rat Pack that includes M Deez, D Mac and So$a Man.

Just recently, Sammi released a new single entitled “Please Stay”, which features Bahamian musician Chosen. Since its release, the song has received positive feedback from fans on social media as well as local radio stations.

While many know him as singer, only very few are familiar with the Sammi who is also responsible for what goes on “behind the scenes” of many songs released by artists in the Bahamas.

In his teenage years, Sammi became a sought after record producer. He later become a recording artist. Sammi also dabbled in social activism on the political side of things in 2011 when he ran as a candidate for the South Beach constituency on the Democratic National Alliance (DNA).

“If you were following me closely over the years you would know that I love God, music, community activism, sports, and of course my family. God has blessed me with a beautiful daughter, Kimya Ayumi-Kai Poitier who is extremely talented. At three years old, she swims, reads, writes, dances, and of course sings. She is the most wonderful part of my life thus far. The truth is, she wouldn’t have been here had it not been for an amazing woman. Actually, I would not have been here had it not been for an amazing woman. See, this story isn’t actually about me; it’s about the amazing women, respectively, who have brought me into this world, raised me, and loved me,” said Sammi.

His mother, Sebrena Poitier, Sammi said, has put up with him and supported him since day one.

“One of the other women in my life did similarly, fell in love with me, then married me; my wife, Racine, did that. Her mother Gwendolyn Stuart voluntarily took me in as her own son and supported my new family in the process,” said Sammi.

Another woman Sammi gives credit to is his sister, Selah Halie Simone Poitier, a woman that encourages him to maintain focus and remain strong at all times.

“My mother Sebrena Poitier is a strong and beautiful, Andros-born and raised woman who moved to New Providence with my three sisters and me so that she could further her own education while simultaneously helping to ensure that we do the same by attending high school and college respectively, and actually completed her college degree (BA). She has loved me and supported me, and taught me that strength, focus and perseverance are the tools to success. She is still going strong. My mother-in-law, Gwendolyn Stuart, has raised and taught her daughter well. She loves her family dearly and supports them throughout all trials and hard times,” he said.

His wife, Sammi said, is definitely his source of strength in life, and the reason why he continues to work so hard at becoming successful. Sammi said Racine’s work ethic is undeniable and her love for her family is unwavering.

“She has been my greatest support in my career long before the first performance. On the day of our wedding she said. ‘I’d sleep on the streets with you if we ever became homeless’. Since that day I’ve been focused on making sure that she never had to prove that statement,” Sammi said.

The singer said men are often recognised for their accomplishments publicly, and while they work hard and deserve the accolades that come with that hard work, the truth is, however that men receive the help of some amazing women that are directly responsible for their well-being, mental health, love and nurturing.

“I salute my wife Racine Poitier, my mother Sebrena Poitier, my mother-in-law Gwendolyn Stuart and my sister Selah Halie-Simoone Poitier. Let all of us men in our beautiful country, the Bahamas, pay homage to all women and mothers,” he said.