Bahamian recording artist and entrepreneur, Anwar Rolle.

Nassau, Bahamas - During the weekend of August 20th Bahamian born Artist Anwar, held his album release party for Bahamian in New York. His first official single off the album, "Weekend in The Bahamas" was aptly named as he did just that; Anwar brought his friends and colleagues in from the USA to participate with family and local friends in his CD launch weekend, and they lived it up Bahamian-style enjoying all that the beautiful country has to offer.

While most artists make their launch events all about themselves, Anwar gave back to his community throughout the weekend. Anwar states, "This makes great business sense, because as the Bible states, “ what does it profit a man to gain the world and loose his soul”, and a big part of who I am and whom my ancestors where is deeply routed in the Bahamas. So I spent my own money to put this event on. Anwar also launched his own foundation called, We Gat Next".

The weekend encompassed a 'Black Everything' branding party at the Wyndham Nassau Resort where guest artist, Jenny Limm performed and the powerful film, Warrior Queen was screened. During the evening which was co-hosted by the beautiful TV personality, singer and actress, Kharisma, educator and historian Frank Minaya spoke and  presented a plaque to Anwar's mother, the wife of the late great Tony Seymour. Noted guests attending were Ray Munnings, Edison Dames, Assistant Director of Culture and Percy 'Vola' Francis - Sr, Crafts Instructor, Jr. Junkanoo Coordinator and band leader of The Shell Saxons Superstars.

5 sec SLIDE SHOW: The All Black Everything event at the Wyndham Nassau Resort on August 20th, 2010 to launch Anwar Rolle's Bahamian in New York album. Photos: Robbin Whachell for The Bahamas Weekly

Anwar honoured five "Real Woman” who are Bahamian media persons allowing them to walk the run way showing that you don’t have to be a model, but whatever you inspire to be, you can achieve. The 5 real women were Daniel Anusiem, Markita Trez, Jewel Major, Dorothy McDonald, and Tanya Hanna.

Then local models hit the runway to the sounds of DJ Hollywood, and a winning model was announced, that being Chavala Walker who will be flown to New York and featured in Cyn & Luca’s 2011 Collection during New York Fashion Week, where Anwar's songs Spring Break Luv, Alien in NewYork and Weekend in the Bahamas all will be featured.

5 sec SLIDE SHOW: Model in pink, Chavala Walker was the lucky winner who will be flown to New York and featured in Cyn & Luca’s 2011 Collection during New York Fashion Week, where Anwar's songs Spring Break Luv, Alien in NewYork and Weekend in the Bahamas all will be featured. Photos: Robbin Whachell for The Bahamas Weekly

Saturday afternoon and evening featured a private beach party at Blackbeards Cay where the HD-Trailer for Anwar's single "Weekend in the Bahamas" was shot. Proceeds went to (BAAI) Bahamian American Association. Inc, a charity located in New York City, dedicated to helping Bahamians continue their education abroad.

Anwar's promo tour for this Bahamian in New York project has prompted listening parties in New York, Los Angeles, Japan and London with a list of other countries to hit before its release. 

However with this "Weekend in the Bahamas' party was more personal for Anwar, simply because this is the place where he was born. "From a business stand point, my investors in this project didn’t see the need for me  to come home and host a listening party, because we all know, and as history has shown that we as Bahamians don’t necessarily support our own.We gravitate to whatever is hot around the world. So why spend money in the Bahamas, when we are already set up to have our music reach world wide when release through my new distribution deal?"

Judges table at the August 19th event in conjunction with Touch of Inspiration Spa and Beauty Salon, a beauty seminar and casting call held in Nassau to launch his new foundation called “We Gat Next Bahamas”. Sitting left to right is International DJ Everett Jackson who was a celebrity judge at eliminations; Kharisma host of the CW 11 Philly 57 and CBS throughout the tri-state; and a representative from ColorScience international make up company.

"As a kid in the Bahamas I came, I saw, I conquered. Before the age of 21, I had already headlined every major casino and hotel in The Bahamas, not just as a singer, but as the boss, the one signing the contracts as well as having local radio success. 'I’m on the next thing' like Jay-Z says, focusing on building my radio and media coverage worldwide.

"For the past five years I have been performing all over the world, and everywhere I go I seek knowledge because 'knowledge is power'; power not just for me but power to bring change in a place that is so dear to me, my home Nassau, Bahamas. For I see a Bahamas 'Where he who comes to the table must come with clean hands',” says Rolle.

"He who governs our land whether FNM, PLP or any other political party understands that the way we speak, dance, and act must always be present especially in a tourist driven economy, but more importantly it should be present because it is the very existence of who we are as Bahamians."

To my fellow musicians and entertainers here in The Bahamas, past present and future: I pray that one day we will rise above egos and unite. For the famous action of divide and conquer has worked on us for decades, while every other working sector in our community has grown in size and wealth. So while I have seen success, it hurts me that 90 percent of my fellow musicians are unemployed, especially in a tourist driven economy.

Educator and historian, Frank Minaya (left) presents Mrs. Seymour (Anwar's mother) with a plaque to honour her late husband and Bahamian singing great, Tony Seymour. Anwar Rolle stands right. Photo: Robbin Whachell for The Bahamas Weekly

Anwar's thoughts on What is Bahamian Music:

To those of you that feel like Bahamian music should only be one particular sound or melody. I say to you, you should not know that I am Bahamian by simply a line in one of my songs, you should not know that I am Bahamian for I refuse to hum the same melody that we all know and have hum for far to long. You will know that I am Bahamian by my upward onward attitude to helping other young Bahamians be all that they can be. 

I have made a living out of duplicating any sound, but with this Bahamian in New York project the objective was to create. As an artist, whether I breath, sing or talk on the record it should be artistic.

This is why we still talk about great Bahamians like my father the late Tony Seymour Sr, Mr. Ray Munnings, Mr. Ronnie Butler, the T Connection, Wendal Stuart, Smokey  007 just to name a few, whom are still today’s topic, because being unique, sells. So I encourage my peers out of the Bahamas, to know where they have come from. For this will help them, not only define their future, but recognize the mistakes that were made in the past, so we can one day have a sustainable music industry. So let’s celebrate these men for they were all ahead of their time. They are all mentioned on a song on my new album titled Toast to the Best. 

5 sec SLIDE SHOW: Photo 1 - Kharisma and winning model, Chavala Walker; Photo 2 - DJ Hollywood; Photo 3 - Representative from ColorScience; and Photo 4: Director of Warrior Queen, Hezekiah Lewis. Photos: Robbin Whachell for The Bahamas Weekly

Anwar gives thanks:

Finally to my family, friends and fans, I hope that in my lifetime you will know that you are all loved by me. To all the Junkanoo leaders - thank you for your support, and for embracing my new sound Junka/Pop/Rock, it is to honour what you have created and I am excited to expose it to a larger audience, and I thank you for your blessings and well wishes.

Special thanks to Charisma and Everett host on the Cw11philly57 and CBS 3 log onto www.mrhollywooddj.com to hear my song weekend in the Bahamas , Hezekiah Lewis film director who will be featuring my song Home in his upcoming film Warrior Queen www.warriorqueenfilm.com and his production crew John and Bruce. Jenny Limm, my new artist; Franco the Great and his wife Kim; along with educators and historians Mr. and Mrs. Frank Minaya; and Mr. Fred Rosser who co- produced this project with me.

During September to December, 2010 you will be able to get free down loads of all three songs by logging on to www.thebahamasweekly.com . Also available will be a limited addition of Home which will be featured in the new movie due out in 2011, Warrior Queen www.warriorqueenfilm.com . 

You can also purchase songs at www.bahamian-in-newyork.com and www.itunes.com