The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas’ Rat Pack will take to the stage during one of North America’s largest reggae and soca festivals for the second year in a row.

The Bahamian group will make their way to South Florida for the Best of Best International Music Festival to be held at the Bayfront Park in Miami during the Memorial Day weekend.

Leading up to the big show, the Rat Pack along with the some of the Bahamas’ most prominent DJs will attend the Bahamian All-Stars Access Granted party on May 24 in Miami.

The party will feature 100 Jamz DJs Tiko T, Xcitement and Xtra Large, in addition to DJ Bling, DJ Hype and Selecta Ty.

Other entertainment will be provided by Party Rock Sound, Danger Marcus and Prodigy Sound of the US.

The event’s host will be Selecta Chronic, Terrible T and Bashment Kid.

The Rat Pack has had a successful year so far, going on several tours and engaging in charitable efforts.

However, to be performing for the second time at Best of the Best music festival, an opportunity afforded very few Bahamian musicians, is the highlight of the group’s year so far.

Bahamian artists Sammi Starr, D-Mac, MDeez and Sosa Man make up the Rat Pack. Each artist performs a different genre of music: rake n’ scrape, reggae, hip hop and R&B, respectively.

What connects the artists in the Rat Pack is their keen interest in seeing Bahamian musicians unite despite their differences.

Best of the Best is one of the largest reggae, hip hop, R&B and soca festivals in North America. The show is a 10 hour-long experience with some of the best live Caribbean and urban music performances.

Sammi Starr was the first Bahamian entertainer to grace the stage during the 2011 Best of the Best event. This will be his third year performing at the annual event.
Scores of Bahamians travel annually to South Florida to attend the festival.

Speaking on behalf of the Rat Pack, MDeez told In Ya Ear that they are ready and prepared to rock the stage.

“We are there to represent the Bahamas. This is like the Olympics of music because the best of the best musicians will be performing on one stage. For us to be considered as a team is tremendous honour, because for many years the event has been going on and there was no Bahamian representation,” he said.

“People can expect a world class performance. They can expect to be blown away much more than the last year. Bahamians can go out there and feel very proud of us already.

MDeez said that the group will perform a medley of songs including solo hits and collaborative songs.

Best of the Best is produced by Rockers Island Entertainment, in conjunction with Massive B. The franchise remains America’s largest multicultural, family-oriented festival, consistently welcoming thousands of visitors from urban centres around the US, as well as from the Caribbean, South America and Europe.

The blockbuster lineup for 2014 features the likes of Beres Hammond, Barrington Levy, Cocoa Tea, Singing Melody, Tarrus Riley, Chronixx, Etana, Elephant Man, Nature, Tifa, Destra, Bugle and Popeye Caution and more.