The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS 

Tribune Staff Reporter 

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net 

A YEAR after his song became the unofficial theme of the 50th anniversary of independence celebrations, Elkin 360 said bookings are starting to pick up again, and he is still reaping the benefits of last summer's hit.

Elkin Outten, 62, said he made about $50,000 from his song, "Bahamas Golden Anniversary", through performances and streaming. That was the first time he generated a profit from his music. Before that, he performed only at church concerts that he had to pay to attend.

“It has enhanced my lifestyle," he said yesterday. "I have more money in my pocket. I was able to do a lot of other things, things that I wanted to do, and I was able to do."

“My popularity is still high, people still recognise me, people still sing my song, people still call me Elkin 360 or Mr Bahamas. I am still riding up there because of that song.” 

Reflecting on last year, he said a big highlight was performing at Clifford Park during the Independence Family Fun Day.

"My mind was really all over the place," he said. "I was just really excited about what my song had brought to me and the country.

"I was really excited because I understood I was being played all over the world in Europe, Germany, Dubai. A lot of people just was telling me everywhere they go they were hearing my song."  

"That was my first hit, like internationally and all over the world. I did an album in 2020, but due to COVID it was not really successful, but it got a lot of play after the Independence song came out."

The Grand Bahama native and father of seven said he intends to release two new songs this month to highlight the country’s 51st independence anniversary and compete in two song competitions.