The face of what “Bahamian music” looks like has drastically changed over the years.
No longer are Bahamian artists forced to fit into the junkanoo and/or rake and scrape box and leave it at that. Our musicians are now killing it in pop, hip hop, R&B, reggae, rap and an eclectic fusion sound all while paying homage to our traditional island sounds.
All of this was front and centre Friday night at the Unplugged 2 concert and benefit event, hosted by Bodine Johnson, where spectators were treated to a kaleidoscope of sounds world class entertainment all put on by Bahamian talent.
FULL GALLERY OF IMAGES BELOW!
In honor of Nat Williams, who’s known as a pioneer in Bahamian entertainment and was a driving force behind many local artists getting their start, Unplugged 2 was all for him and the line up of singers, rappers and performers did not disappoint!
From the sultry sounds of newcomer Charisa Smith who opened the show to super talented but highly underrated rapping genius of Sleepy Lexx, our 242 talent brought fire to the stage!
There was something there for spectators of all ages, lifestyles and backgrounds as the likes of Keeya killed it with her cover of Rihanna’s “Wild Thoughts” and her original hit song “Faded.”
D-MAC took us to an old school Bahamian backyard party and to church with his set, performing his hits “Gaulin,” “Dogs Don’t Bark at Parked Car,” and a melody of our fave gospel hits.
It was lit!
Since the show there’s been a conversation brewing about the support…or lack thereof, for our artists. But the whole argument that, “Bahamian artists sing the same thing over and over,” “They aren’t world class and can’t perform on a big stage,” held no water and no weight Friday night as the 242 artists proved otherwise.
Sanjardo B and Mandisa gave us a Chris Brown and Jordin Sparks feel with their R&B hit single “Green Light,” while, Patrice Murrell amped up the party feel performing her dance hits “Come to Wave” and “Your Ting,” which she also released a music video for that night.
And did you know that Judah the Lion, Twin Dem and Lexx has a song called “Don’t Fuss,” that’s pure musical genius and a perfect marry of rap, hip and soul and tackles the growing crime and social ills in The Bahamas? No?
Please listen now! >> | Don’t Fuss | That performance was so dope and set a whole new standard for what Bahamian music is.
That was one of our favorite performances that night and clearly a hit with the fans.
Willis and The Illest encouraged us to prepare for “Better Days” while bringing out the “Lion in The Jungle,” as Sketch Carey had everyone wining for their man.
MDEEZ was pure fire as he performed his hits “TKO” and “Nike,” at one point throwing off his shoes so he could really put on a show for the crowd.
Sammi Starr had us telling everyone, “I iz what I Iz,” bringing us an Usher and Michael Jackson feel to his performance.
The songbird Wendi proved to us just why she holds her prominent spot in Bahamian music. She opened her performance with her R&B single “Buffy,” and flawlessly transitioned into her 
Soca-Junkanoo fusion hits “Take a Wine” and “Down Home Party.”
Dyson Knight then took the stage…and them took his shirt off, to perform crowd favorites “Free,” “Play” and the biggest junkanoo song this year, “I Come to Party” with Rik Carey.
We’re not so sure if it was Puzzle’s birthday, but he claimed it as he sang what’s now become the official Bahamian birthday jam “My Birthday Come Again.”
15 Bahamian artists, one stage, amazing, sound, an awesome set up, the perfect location all made for 242 magic!
If you missed Unplugged 2 you missed a damn good show and a damn good display of raw Bahamian talent.
The best part was that we didn’t have to wait until 3am for an international headliner…our 242 artists were all the world class performances we needed!