A local music label that recently signed its newest artist is seeking to revolutionize the music industry in The Bahamas, creating “a framework for both local and international success.” Brdrins Records was established in 2015 as a “lifestyle movement,” according to founder and CEO Terrance Colebrook. “It started as some friends just chilling and coming together with an idea – ‘What if we make a business?’ And that’s what we’re really about – harnessing that organic energy to create something that will naturally breed success.”

Recently on this journey to success, Brdrins Records welcomed its newest artist YungKen during a launch celebrating his signing with the label. Terrance said, “I think it’s dope we’re signing these new artists that we can mold and kind of put our footprints on, and through them we can show other artists different ways to attack the music industry.

“Our mission is to pave a way for independent artists and labels within The Bahamas to spiral beyond the islands into international recognition and success. YungKen has been growing organically and has just the kind of authenticity we’re about, so we feel that together we can offer an extra push that will produce amazing things.”

For his part, YungKen said he is happy to join the Brdrins Records family and to be a part of their “masterplan” for expanding the music scene Bahamians know and love. “I was there at the birth of Brdrins Records, and I watched it learn to crawl and walk, and soon it will run. I think it’s only right to continue building my brand with them.

“I’ve been making music for a long time. It’s a talent I’ve always had, and my music reflects a lot of my life – what I’m doing now, what I’ve been through, and what I’m seeing. I’m speaking my truth through the music, and I’m glad to continue doing that with the help of Brdrins Records.”

Speaking on how the record label plans to change the local music industry, founder and CEO Terrance Colebrook said, “The inside joke when talking about the music industry in The Bahamas is that a lot of people question, ‘What music industry? Is there even one?’ So we’re here to show people that yes, there is an industry, it’s filled with talent, and it’s possible to make it from within the islands and be successful not just locally but overseas as well.”

For more on Brdrins Records, check out the links below:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGKDdTJHzqjMEarmAPVbPag?view_as=subscriber

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brdrinsrecords/?hl=en

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/BRTHELABEL/

BORN INTO THE GIG is a music-driven documentary that follows five singer-songwriters who hope to carve their own musical identity in the shadow of their parents' iconic greatness.

* CHRIS STILLS -- son of Stephen Stills and French star, Veronique Sanson
* SKIP MARLEY -- grandson of Bob Marley
* KORI WITHERS -- daughter of the hit-maker Bill Withers
* BEN and Sally TAYLOR-- children of James Taylor and Carly Simon

For these 'children of,' a career path in music may seem perfectly obvious. But the reality of making it on their own merits in 'the family business,' takes each character on a journey fraught with unexpected turns, emotional pain and surprising highs.

Chris struggles to balance the touring life with single fatherhood. Ben writes countless tunes on his family's farm though he claims that, 'no matter how successful' he becomes, he'll always 'feel like a failure.' Daunted by her fathers' legacy of world-class pop tunes, Kori battles self-doubt as she records her first album. Sally trades her touring singer-songwriter life for something entirely different in the art world. And Skip Marley, the self-described 'rookie' of the Marley clan, rockets from playing in his bedroom at age 19 to releasing a first hit and joining Katy Perry at the Grammys. While showcasing new range of talent, BORN INTO THE GIG also goes behind the scenes to hear from the parents themselves, and ultimately explores what it means to find one's own voice.

The concern is real. Its name was Dorian and it was the strongest hurricane the Bahamas had ever experienced, wiping out much of the Grand Bahama and Abaco islands. The Bahamas is the most tourism-dependent economy in the Caribbean, with tourism accounting for 60% of the Bahamas' $9 billion economy. This has left the Bahamian people fearing the country would struggle to get its tourism-based economy back on track. But with most islands left unscathed, still open and receiving visitors, the Baha Men, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Sony Music, along with some amazing travel partners, have come together to get the word out and say #LetsGoBahamas!

The Baha Men have created a new video for their song 'Lets Go', specifically for the #LetsGoBahamas campaign and have chosen to donate royalties to the Bahamas Red Cross. They invite you to join the #LetsGoBahamas campaign with them! Celebrities, citizens and families alike are climbing on board to get the word out. How can you get involved? Get creative and share your picture with a #LetsGoBahamas sign on Baha Men social media as well as your own! Then watch the new video release by the Baha Men - smarturl.it/BMLetsGoBahamasYT. Each time you view the video, it will generate a donation to the Bahamas Red Cross to aid victims of Hurricane Dorian.

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Bahamian ​Junkanoo Legend, John “Chippie” Chipman passed away on Monday September 9t​ h​, 2019 at 90 years of age. His career spanned more than six decades. The world knows Bahamian Culture due to the life and works of Mr. Chipman. He would have touched every continent with his goatskin drum, and has earned his reputation as a prolific Junkanooer, dancer and champion drummer.

“​Chippie​”, as he was affectionately called, received both national and international recognition for his outstanding contribution to nation building. He was honored and enlisted as a Member of the British Empire (M.B.E.), a recipient of The Bahamas Merit Award, Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award, The Junkanoo Legends Circle Award, The Cultural Heroes Independence Award, The Junkanoo Shack Hall of Fame Honour and the Centennial award amongst others.

Chippie Chipman is considered a ​national hero​, a legend and a Bahamian icon. His contributions to the world of culture have helped to shape the identity of The Bahamas. Chippie and his wife, the late Becky Chipman, known as the legendary “Fire Dancer”, has left a legacy of patriotism. Together, they took their gifts around the world representing The Bahamas as true cultural ambassadors. Chippie also mentored many young drummers and shared his gifts with the nation; this and more earning him, the title, “​Godfather of Junkanoo​’.

John Chipman was born to the late Howard Chipman and Ethelyn Taylor in Nassau on October 25tht​ h​, 1928. At an early age he demonstrated his love for music and learned to play the saxophone. He began his adult career as a waiter in the 1950’s at Nassau’s Paul Meeres Club. At this time, Chippie would meet his wife Rebecca Oliver. The two became a power couple combining their gifts of dance and drumming that would eventually be showcased at every hotel, night club and ‘hot spot’ in New Providence. In the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s Becky became the queen of the fire dance and Chippie evolved into and is considered the ​most outstanding drummer​ in the history of The Bahamas.

Chippie and Becky passionately participated in Bahamain Junkanoo parades. He became a ​Junkanoo leader​, leading his group ​Chippie and the Boys. Mr. Chipman will be remembered for his role in the evolution of Junkanoo music. Chipman also encouraged his friend Donnie Huyler to launch the production of locally made cowbells. He spearheaded the transition from the wooden kegs to the tin barrel when the wooden kegs became difficult to find in the Bahamas. His revolutionary contributions also included being the ​first Junkanoo leader to use crepe paper replacing tissue paper and newspaper in a Junkanoo parade. Chippie was the premier Junkanoo drum-maker and was revered as the ​king of the Goombay Drum​. He did this in his backyard on Lifebuoy Street. ​His group was also the first to have women ‘rush’ on Bay Street in a Junkanoo parade. His wife Becky, Maureen Duvalier and Naomi Carey were the first three Bahamian female Junkanoo leaders.

Chipman was also known for his generous and benevolent spirit. He was a devoted member of St. Agnes Anglican Church where he played his saxophone during the services. He would then leave his church and visit many of the smaller churches in the Bain and Grants Town where he would serenade them with his saxophone and leave a hefty offering. He also performed in every school in New Providence and the Family Islands at no charge. Demonstrating a core belief in ‘service above self’, Chippie also provided drums for schools in the Junior Junkanoo program from its inception in 1988 to date.

On February 6th , 2016 Lifebuoy Street was named John Chipman Street in honor of the contributions John Chipman made to The Bahamas and to communities around the world. Chippie, up to the time of his passing performed almost every morning at the Prince George Dock welcome Center with his band “Chippie and the Boys”.

Chippie’s famous words were, “Entertainers perform to the end. When they stop entertaining they dead. As long as God give me strength, I gonna be licking up some drums and playing rake n’ scrape.”

John ‘Chippie’ Chipman, King of the Goombay Drum and the Godfather of Junkanoo was indeed one of our finest Bahamian entertainers of all times.

On behalf of the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture and the Government of The Bahamas we extend our heartfelt condolences to his children, immediate family, friends and relatives and to the nation as a whole which loved him and whom he loved dearly.

May His soul rest in peace.

BY: HONORABLE LANISHA TAMAR ROLLE
MINISTER OF YOUTH, SPORTS AND CULTURE