Although the photo you see here hit social media on May 30th, Bahamian entertainer Sammi Starr tells us that the deal with Sony was signed weeks ago, before the finals of this year's Music Masters Competition at Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.
In that competition Sammi placed second, after being the first to win the coveted award in the festival's first run in 2015 for his song, "Everybody Jump in the Line."
Sammi wrote the following to accompany the photo on his social media pages, "
Remember
I said there were three things that I'm super excited about this year?!
The birth of Prince Kymani was #1 ... The second is this. When you
work hard all through your career, regardless of support level, you stay
focused, ignore the hate, rather be fueled by the hate and negativity,
when you begin to succeed, you become a new you, a stronger you, a
happier you... You become who you've
always been destined to be, great! Even though I've been at this for
almost 20 years, Signing this Sony Music Contract is just the beginning
for me and my family."
Earlier this year the Bahamas
National Festival Commission (BNFC) announced their partnership with Sony
Music Entertainment for the staging and held an artist development workshop –
The Recording Industry 101 – for contestants in the Bahamas Junkanoo
Carnival Music Masters Song Competition.
"Talent Manager Damon Jones, a partner at New Legacy Media,
will also lead a session in the workshop, sharing insights from the
perspective of artists in contract negotiations. Jones is currently
representing Sammi Starr, 2015 Music Masters Champion, in negotiations
with Sony," said the announcement.
TheBahamasWeekly.com caught up with Sammi and asked him his thoughts on the Sony deal, to which he responded, "
What this means to me is that I now have an official
opportunity from a major record label to become a superstar and
represent myself, my family and my country on the world stage. We all
in the entertainment field here in The Bahamas work hard for this
opportunity, so to know that I have finally gotten it, is beyond
exciting."
Sammi said his work is just beginning. "I have to earn my keep, come out
with hit records, and push as hard as I can to be successful on the next
level. Through all of the years as an artist here in The Bahamas it's
been an unforgettable process, to say the least, but I have shown
my people that I am worth the support and will represent them well."
Happily married, and now the proud father of two children, Sammi says he hasn't gotten to where he wants to be yet with his career. "I now have the key to the
door that we have been trying to open for so long. When I get to the Grammys, have my family live and travel
wherever they want, hear and see my people love and appreciate my work
and dedication, be able to help another artist get to the same point,
then and only then will I say that I have accomplished my goal."
Born in The Bahamas, Sammie Starr was playing instruments since age 6 singing in church along with his father Rev. Oswald Poitier and mother Sebrena Poitier, both talented musicians. As a young teenager, he became one of the most sought after record producers, producing hits for many local artists. He has worked with many artists including Sweet Emily, D Mac, M Deez, Sosa Man.
