Is This a Party or What?! BTC's #ForTheCulture Brings Joy in a Pandemic
If it's one thing Bahamians know how to do, it's throw a good backyard party! But, with social gatherings strictly prohibited during this COVID-19 pandemic, we had to bring the party to our screens via Instagram and YouTube!
After months of being on lockdown and adhering to curfews, thousands of Bahamians tuned into @mybtc's Instagram Live, on September 30, to watch the premier of #ForTheCulture, a musical celebration of Bahamian artists.
Similar to the Verzuz battles in the United States, which was started by music producers Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, both as entertainment for everyone staying at home, and, initially, as a competition to see which artist has better Billboard hits, has quickly become a global sensation of good vibes, trips down memory lane and most importantly, an escape from reality; even if only for one hour.
The show has taken on a new form here in The Bahamas. Having been rebranded as #ForTheCulture, pairs of Bahamian artists with a similar catalogue perform live a medley of their biggest hits throughout their career.
First out the gate was none other than SocaPop powerhouses Wendi and Bodine Victoria.
Raking in over 1,900 views, the pair brought the house down with songs such as, "Good Feelings", "Attitude", "All Day, All Night", "Intoxicated" and more. But, a good backyard party ain't a party without good drinks, which THEE Coconut Goddess and Original Juicy Fruit, herself, Bodine Victoria, kindly reminded us.
Decked out in a flowy blue dress, accompanied with a matching face mask and Coconut Goddess headpiece, Bodine Victoria kept a cup full with Coconut Rum for herself and Wendi throughout the show. In the words of fellow Bahamian artist, and Wendi's husband, Dyson Knight, the night was filled with "real good vibes".
Having put on such a good show, fans wanted more and BTC delivered. Just two weeks later, on October 14, Bahamian music legends Emily "Sweet Emily" Williams and Veronica Bishop took to the stage at the ILTV Studios, to show artists who came after, and their fanbase, that they still got it!
Pulling in over 2,300 viewers combined, both young and young-at-heart, on @mybtc's Instagram page and Youtube channel, Williams, dubbed the "Queen of Junkanoo" and Bishop, the "Queen of Rake'n'Scrape", brought back good memories for all who were tuned in.
With hits like "Queen of Junkanoo", "Empty Hand", "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", "Lay Low in Bimini", "Send Him Home", "Tell Ole I Een Here" and more, and a little diva-esque banter between songs, these Bahamian music icons proved just why they deserved to own the stage in the second episode.
Not wanting the party to end, BTC delivered once again, this time with the men.
Just two weeks after Williams and Bishop took Bahamian music lovers down memory lane, singers and songwriters Dillon "DMac" McKenzie and Eugene "Geno D" Davis took viewers "down home" and to the regatta, on October 28, with their slew of hits.
With a combined total of over 3,000 viewers on both @mybtc's Instagram page and YouTube channel, Geno D delivered Rake'n'Scrape hits such as "Gal If I Had You", "Jungaliss", "We Jammin", "That Ain't No Mosquito Bite", and personal favourite, "Stagger Lee", among lots more. And, right there alongside him was Bahamian music superproducer, DMac.
Bringing regatta to the people, DMac brought the energy with hits like "Bush Party", "Thinkin Bout You", "The Boat Man", featuring a quick dance/juk from Dyson Knight, as well as his first solo hit, "Dog Don't Bark at Parked Car".
Towards the end of the show, both DMac and Geno D sang a quick mash-up of more of their songs, followed by DMac leading a praise break, featuring Rake'n'Scrape renditions of "Amen" and Marvia Providence's "Hear My Cry Oh Lord" and "I Feel Like Running". Not wanting the party to end, DMac sang a few snippets of other Caribbean artists' songs, as well as a few from fellow Bahamians, with Geno D joining in.
Sponsored by BTC (Bahamas Telecommunications Company) and recorded at ILTV Studios, with viewership increasing each episode, it is evident that BTC's #ForTheCulture is just what people of The Bahamas need to escape the crippling reality that is living a life of lockdowns, curfews and restraints for what is going on one year.
With no regattas, backyard parties or any form of entertainment, socialization and joy to shake the daily stresses of life away in the near future, BTC's #ForTheCulture has come right on time!
Who do you want to see next episode?
