The Tribune

By LESH

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

THE TEAM behind Starforce Promotions, in connection with Island Spice Entertainment, have taken yet another event under its umbrella as they prepare to play host to this weekend’s 2014 Hennessy Artistry Concert.

The concert features reggae stars Jah Cure and Richie Spice, the “Know Your Friends” solo artist Chevaughn and home-grown flavour, MDeez. It will take place this Saturday at Club Luna.

Tom “Terrible T” Butler of Starforce Promotions said it has been a busy year of events for the company.

“We did promotions for the Best of the Best concert in Miami, Florida with the Bahamas Rat Pack; the Bahamian All-Star Party; dancehall artist Kranium at Harry’s Hut during the Labour Day holiday; Jah Boukes and Alaine at the Guinness Talent Search; Meek Mills and Rick Ross, Shurwayne Winchester at the Bahamian Flag Party, and we are now ready for Hennessy Artistry,” Mr Butler told In Ya Ear.
He said Starforce has been behind the scenes organising Hennessy Artistry concerts and events for years, however, this is the first time they are promoting on the frontline.

“I always incorporated and worked with different promoters with the events. Last year, I collaborated with Playhouse Entertainment along with Fresh Entertainment for the Hennessy Artistry Concert that featured Konshens and Elephant Man. The year before that we worked with 24Karat Productions and that concert featured Jah Cure, Tanya Stephens and Capleton,” he said.

“We always wanted to bring Jah Cure back, but this time we wanted the full band experience. He has been here quite a few times, but it is always with the track playing in the background and you never get that real, full Jah Cure show. People are going to get a whole different vibe from what they are used to seeing with Jah Cure.”

With Richie Spice’s inclusion to the lineup, Mr Butler said they wanted to add more of a cultural flavour. Chevaughn, he said, has been around for a while, but he has just recently been promoting his solo career.

“He has got great acclaim on his new song entitled ‘Know Who’s Your Friends’. A lot of people are now familiar with that and they are asking for it. Folks may not know, but he also sings the hook on Ding Dong’s ‘It’s A Holiday’ dancehall song,” said Mr Butler.

He said Starforce never puts on a show without the addition of a Bahamian artist, and who better to include this time around than rapper MDeez.

“Our local talent are just as talented as the international stars. The only thing we lack is that international exposure. Every time I do a show I include our Bahamian talent for chances of possible management opportunities and scouting for someone visiting. The sky is the limit, so I just want to be the one to have given them the opportunity to take,” said Mr Butler.

Mr Butler recalled Starforce’s introduction to the entertainment scene some 20 years ago and said he is pleased to see the improvement and growth within the promotion company over the years.

“I see the company going far, putting the Bahamas on the map in a big way. Just about every country around the world has a music festival where people travel from all around to attend and that is something I would like to see happen here; that is our goal. We have a lot of interesting things that are going to happen early into next year that will surprise a lot of people,” said Mr Butler.