Nassau, Bahamas - Former lead singer for the Bahamen and son of the late great Bahamian entertainer Tony Seymour Sr., Anwar has just released his newest music video for the single, "So Sexy" from his up and coming album, "I am Junka-Pop-Roc."
The Bahamas Weekly has been monitoring the artist and entrepreneur's career over the years and caught up with Anwar recently to discuss his latest projects.
Q. Anwar it's been a while since we've heard from you, what have you
been up to?
A. I've been living! A lot of times we live our lives
entertaining others and never really enjoy life as entertainers. Over
the last few years I have realized a dream of becoming a club owner. I was blessed to have opened and owned over the past three years,
Club SBL, BahamaBay Sports Bar, and Cocomos Restaurant and Lounge, all of which are in Nassau. Much
thanks to all the spring break groups that brought thousands of spring
breakers to my clubs! IS Tours, Grad Week, STS Travel, Student City,
Grad City S- Trips and a special thank you to Stuart Chason and Eddie
(Bahamas) Davis. This year I
will be opening my new luxury pub called "Beers and Wings" where you
will be able to get the widest selection of draft beers on the island
some of which have not been introduced to this region.
"I'm really excited
about my new album called, "I am Junka-Pop-Roc." My team and I just
shot the video in Havana Cuba directed by famed director X
La Rosa who has worked with the likes of Pitbull and other
phenomenal Cuban artists. This will be some of my best work thus far
featuring artists such as Jah Cure, Double A and a list of other stars
from around the World.
Q. What made you want to shoot the first video in
Havana Cuba ?
A. Why wouldn't I ? When you talk about Cuba and how the
market has just opened up to America! It only makes sense to be a part
of this great synergy. I know a lot of great artists such as JayZ and
Beyonce are looking at shooting there ...It's a new market .. It's a
beautiful country and the people are very warm and inviting ... I'm
about starting trends not following them. So I did that ... Now on to
the next ...
Q. What do you think about Bahamian music and where it is
today?
A. Interesting question. I think you must know from whence you
came in order to know where you're going. We live in a society today
where we have a ton of award shows honoring people that just came into
the game and the real Heroes are being forgotten. Like bird man's catch
phrase "put respect on my name," that inspired me to put my own money
up, direct and produce and write a music video that shows images and
mentions the great fathers and mothers of Bahamian music. This video is
called "Toast to the Best." It was not created for retail, it's free!
This is rare! People today don't create for the sole purpose of
inspiring, expecting nothing in return. This was done for free so that
our young Bahamians and generations to come can know where Bahamian
music started.
Candid photos of some of Anwar's clubs in the Bahamas. Bottom right Anwar is seen (center) in the studio with X La Rosa director of the "So Sexy" video shot in Cuba, and with Double A (right) who is the featured raggaeton artist.
Q. What do you think about the entertainment industry as
it relates to hotels and casinos in the Bahamas ?
A. I've been blessed
to have the opportunity to headline casinos here in The Bahamas not just
as the lead singer of the Bahamen, but also as a solo artist. Being a
resident of the United States of America I have had the opportunity to
headline casinos from the east coast to the west coast, all the way to
the Mississippi boats. The knowledge that I have gained has inspired me
to write a how-to guide titled "How to revitalize an entertainment
economy where tourism is the # 1 commodity." This will be out at the
end of 2017. Every up-and-coming artist should measure what they charge
to entertain by: 1. The cost to put the show on i.e., equipment ,
transportation , your overall look for the shows and staff; 2. The way
you are treated ...Is this hotel offering you a contract a number of
days etc.
"What I have seen here in The Bahamas today is very scary. Even
though our economy is not in the best shape we have access to so much
more which virtually makes the cons obsolete. By this I mean we have
access to the Internet, and much more tourists as they are coming in via
cruise and air daily. Back in the 60's musicians didn't have nearly as
many tourist to entertain as we do today and they made a lot more than
musicians make today! Why is this so? Musicians knew their value and
their worth! By taking a gig for a quick $50 you are devaluing the
worth of all musicians driving down the average cost. At the end of the
day when it's all said and done you want to walk away from this game
with much more than memories ... If you don't you've repeated the cycle
of so many musicians who have gold and platinum plaques but no money
behind it. These musicians have performed in our hotels and Casino's and
now have nothing because they didn't value there self worth and the
hotel has moved on leaving them broke,when if they had negotiated as
explained above they would be in a better space to start over.
"I can say
this respectfully because I went through this with my dad... My father
Tony Seymour Sr. was the first Bahamian to receive a gold record selling
over 1 million records, for the song titled "Pretty Blue Eyes." I am the
youngest of my dads' kids. I was 11 when my father was murdered, and we
buried him with nothing. However, the greatest gift he could give to me
was knowledge. And this I give to you. Know your value and know your
worth!"
Q. What can we expect from you for the upcoming year?
A. Just to recap "I
am Junka- Pop- Roc" will be out summer 2017. The first single "So Sexy" is
available for online purchase on Apple Music and iTunes ... You can see
the official music video on YouTube ... More music, more videos I have a
great band that I just formed called BOB Boys of the Bahamas. I'd like to shout out
to Matt my MD, Mansa, Desmond and Kristen ... Very talented group of
guys you will be seeing them on tour with me this summer. Look out for Wings and Beers and my how-to guide book.
"Lastly just living and loving
... The people that inspire me to get up everyday and hustle hard, like my son Armani, my two daughters London and Toni, and great friends that
make it possible to do what I do: Apryl, J, Leon, Fast Eddie, Jones,
Ivan, Matthew Malriat my white brother lol, and the whole AR branding
team. Lastly to anyone who came to see an Anwar show, bought an Anwar
Cd, or supported any of my endeavors, I thank you because I strive to be
the true definition of an entrepreneur and it's because of you I can say, especially in a Country where we do not support our own as we
should, Thank you!