By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
THOUSANDS flocked to Clifford Park on Friday night to witness the crowning of Sammi Star as the first Music Masters champion of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.
The Music Masters final began after a four-hour delay, reportedly because of technical difficulties, starting shortly after midnight. However, event organisers said on Sunday that it had only been a one-hour delay.
Bahamian artist Sammi Star walked away with the $20,000 prize for his hit song “Jump in the line”. After he was announced as the winner, spectators booed the presenters, Bahamas National Festival Commission Chairman Paul Major and Prime Minister Perry Christie, angry with the judges' decision.
Despite the crowd reaction, Sammi Star said he was proud to be the new flag bearer of Bahamian music. “This is historical and mindblowing and I have no words,” he said after his win.
“I am proud to be Bahamian and proud to have won $20,000 – which I am going to pay some bills with. Seriously, I am proud to be the front runner of the entire thing and proud to be the person that is now the flag carrier for the new Bahamian sound. I am floored and honoured and will do my best to represent the Bahamas.” He also won a music contract with Sony Music Latin.
Ericka ‘Lady E’ placed second with "My Islands in the Sun” while Colyn McDonald with “Carnival is here” was third.
Comments
duppyVAT 8 years, 11 months ago
Why did they boo Sammy Star??????? ....... haters ........ Perry just made him a STARRRRRR
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 11 months ago
Because my favourite song "rushing down the road" by Sketch didn't win....just a guess:)
ohdrap4 8 years, 11 months ago
i think they were booing perry and obie the artist was caught in the riptide lol
TalRussell 8 years, 11 months ago
Congratulations to Comrade Sammy as he takes to the world's center stage starring in the champion role of Music Masters. Of course the 20,000 thousand dollars cash prize is both deserving and a welcomed financial boost.
The major prize advantage lies ahead and it rests with how seriously Sony's music contract does “Jump in the line” to internationally promote a deserving son of Bahamaland's soil.
I think Sammy has proven he is the type of entertainer who will take full professional advantage of a great corporation such as Sony's promise to open doors to an international audience for his music.
Sony has an excellent native partner in Comrade Sammy.
Good song and music making wishes to the new and wonderful team of Sammy & Sony.
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 11 months ago
Was pulling for Sketch rushing down the road...innovative, "do you feel the rumble! I don't care if you stumble, tell the police make way," it's different, love the lyrics and it's Junkanoo but not overtly Junkanoo, that's talent, a mind working and thinking. love it, love it. Surprised he didn't even make top three, it's a beautiful song
While I loved participating in road fever, I think the clear success of the entire event was the music. This could have all been a three day music event and been equally successful. A la "International Music Festival" back in the 90's(?). I like that so many unknown artists came forward with some nice songs.
Congrats to Sammi Starr. Maybe next year they can incorporate a people's vote
SP 8 years, 11 months ago
............THIS MUST BE RESOLVED, OR WE JUST WASTED $10M FOR NAUGHT ............
Super job by Sammy Starr. But, does his act achieve "Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival" main objective?
Carnival committee judges missed a golden opportunity to find the first Music Masters champion of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival to present this new product to the world.
All these idiots had to do was allow the public to determine the best crowd pleaser by voting with cellphone hashtag, like every other song competition on the planet instead of playing "experts".
Strong negative reaction by the crowd clearly shows the judges used the wrong criteria leading to a general unpopular decision.
It is not too late to correct the situation. Simply rebroadcast the 3 finalist contestants performances and have those attending and the innumerable individuals that watched on ZNS do a cellphone hashtag vote.
This would also be an added great publicity stunt opportunity too!
Not Sammy's fault the committee screwed this up so be prepared to payout another $20,000.00 to whoever the crowd picks as winner.
The biggest questions here really are, how will Sammy Star's act rate and compete with artist on an internationally staged competition, and most importantly whether or not Sammy Star's performance is the best Bahamas has to offer to entice people traveling the international carnival circuit to WANT to include Bahamas to their carnival itinerary verses competing acts & destination choices.
Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival was unquestionably a successful launch, and they deserve a standing ovation for a job well done.
However, what a huge waste of resources and effort if the best contestant was not chosen and main the objective of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival totally missed!
Lets see if arrogance and stupidity dominates common sense once again in Bahamas.
As always.......Jackass Does As Jackass Is
TalRussell 8 years, 11 months ago
Comrades I beg of Sony Music in conjunction with the Bahamas "Junkanoo" Committee to sponsor leading up to Boxing Day Junkanoo 2015 and New's Day Junkanoo 2016 a annual national song contest and open it up for the wider benefit of the art and craft of Bahamaland's new "Junkanoo" artist for 2016. It can be a relatively simple website where both songwriters and performers can upload their best songs and invite the wisdom of song and music lovers worldwide to vote for the best song. If done correctly it will give both "Junkanoo" immediate exposure to a world audience music and song lovers. Something think about. Will be interesting see how much of 9.5 million and all the full time effort that went into Carnival 2015 will be provided the two upcoming Junkanoo Parades and events? It will provide this PLP cabinet a rook-solid "Junkanoo" opportunity to put up or shut the hell up about how much they care about and respect Junkanoo?
duppyVAT 8 years, 11 months ago
Please do not mix up December Junkanoo and May Carnival ........ two different entities with two different objectives
TalRussell 8 years, 11 months ago
Yes indeed Comrade. Junkanoo has retain the old and get better organized, attract younger participates and to achieve it might call for obtaining a major corporate sponsor. I do not believe government should be using more than token amount taxpayers monies to fund either Junkanoo or Carnival. What I do know is, it reaches beyond the financially looney irresponsible to even think, much less spend, 9.5 million dollars taxpayers money on any parade or event. The question is how do you reorganize those who will never invite change and whilst retaining all that is old, proven and good about Junkanoo. The best possible Junkanoo possible is yet to come and be decided?
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 11 months ago
Well they can't make a soca rhythm for Junkanoo...that would be weird. I like the idea. Make Junkanoo about more than two days. Make it a two to three month affair
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