Gesner Mr J Dalmond

Published On:Wednesday, March 03, 2010

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

LOCAL Bahamian artists are spreading their wings, and making their imprints on the international music scene. And Bahamian Reggae artist Gesner "Mr J" Dalmond is no different since he recently collaborated with Canadian gospel artist DJ Evangelist on his new song "Money We Want".

"Money We Want" a song that addresses the issue of poverty is currently circulating the local airwaves in Canada. With an optimistic mindset the artists believe the song will be accepted by a global audience.

Its all-embracing message is what really ignites conversation and a change of perception with regards to poverty -something that most people are fighting so hard to relinquish in their life.

And with their smooth lyrical flow accented by underlying tones and melodies, they hope the issue of poverty jumps at listeners inviting meaningful reflection.

Mr J said the main purpose of the song is to get persons to see that poverty is something that can be eradicated from one's life through personal success.

"Poverty is prevalent in many societies throughout the world, which makes this song universal. However, poverty begins as a mental state. Yes there are many persons that have been born into poverty, but it is their mindset that keeps them in that position. The issue of poverty can be removed if they change their mindset," Mr J told Tribune Entertainment.

"Money We Want" has initiated conversation both negative and positive in the Canadian community.

"There are persons who love the song who said that the message actually speaks to them. Then again there are others who maintain the belief that Christians should not talk about gaining prosperity. Despite that, this song is about moving from one point in life to another. Its not about gaining prosperity but showing people that just because your family might have poverty been stricken doesn't mean that they will also be that way," he said.

Both Mr J and DJ Evangelist are hard at work shooting the video "Money We Want". The video which is set in Canada will compliment the music communicating the message of the song even more effectively.

"The video starts off with me getting ready to go on his daily mission, as the day progresses I am met with a variety of unusual circumstances. The video is very good and it shows the message in an even brighter light," he said.

"Money We Want" is professionally recorded. However it is in the production stages right now.

"Since it is our goal to go global with the song, we are trying to get the video played on major music stations like MTV, the Caribbean music station Tempo, as well as local television stations in the Bahamas," he said .

Mr J is Bahamian-born of Haitian descent and has been a reggae artist since 1996. While this was not always his dream, he said listening to other artist like Christian Massive and Peter Runks who tell stories through their music encouraged him to enter the profession.

He has written eight songs so far that he said will be recorded on an album he plans to release sometime in the near future. He also just recently celebrated the release of his first official video entitled "More Luv".

With his own music and collaborating with other artist he channels his inner voice, sending a message of hope to the hopeless.