Music Masters Competition winner, Fanshawn Taylor, 26, has much to smile about after winning the 2016 Music Masters competition at Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival. She goes down in history as the first woman to win the competition, which wrapped up its second year.
It may seem as if Fanshawn Taylor came out of "left field" to capture the second Music Masters crown, but in actuality, she's had a microphone in hand and has been wowing audiences for the past nine years. If you didn't know her as a rake 'n' scrape or soca artist, but were a fan of the Skyjuice Band, or the rock band Avant Guarden, then you know Fanshawn. So people know her -- they just didn't know her as a solo artist.
Taylor's single "Digg Up Di Road," earned her the $20,000 top prize at Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival and the title of music master. Her winning song she said was inspired by what she saw around her, and experiences she heard -- from her band members, and Junkanoo members. The 26-year-old also credits watching the inaugural carnival from the sidelines with providing her with inspiration for her lyrics for the song that was also this year's road fever winning song.
While confident in her single and what she would bring to the competition, Fanshawn says she was still a tad bit shocked when she heard her name called as the winner.
"I like to look at it as making history... the first female artist to win the Music Masters competition, and the road fever song," she said. With the win she wants to continue to push music and do what she loves.
"I want to continue to do what I love, but most importantly I don't want to navigate too far away from my culture. I want to keep Bahamian music alive and not just do music, but to do what makes our culture-- which is Bahamian rake n' scrape," said Fanshawn who initially started out in the entertainment field with Supa Mario Entertainment as a teen.
"I came out as an artist, but then I wanted to explore a different avenue, and that's when I joined the band about three years ago."
It's with the Skyjuice Band that she learned the rake 'n' scrape art from Ebony and Blaudy, and started performing it. She gives them credit for what she's been able to achieve as a result.
"They trained me in that field, so I'm grateful to them," said Fanshawn.
"Most people usually know me for R&B and ballads, but during Junkanoo Carnival I just wanted to prove that I'm not limited with what I can do," she said.
When she's not got a microphone in hand, or in the recording studio putting down tracks, the country's first female music master winner is a marine mammal trainer who trains dolphins, sea lions, and stingrays at Dolphin Encounters at Blue Lagoon Island. It's a job that sometimes sees her working 12-hour days, starting sometimes as early as 7 a.m.
Then she lets her hair down for the musical side that is Fanshawn when that is done.
She says the ability to do both is about being balanced and loving what you do. And even now that she's a music master winner, she has no plans to change her profession. Her employers at Dolphin Encounters also recognize the talent she is and have sponsored her throughout the entire process.
"I'm doing everything I love doing," she said. "I'm a person who does not try to limit myself. I've been here [Dolphin Encounters] going on nine years, and I love it, and they see potential in me, and they've actually sponsored me throughout the entire process as well, so I can't go anywhere right now. I love it too much."
The Music Master winner encourages people to do what they love, and says she is constantly telling herself to not limit herself.
"Do whatever it is you love doing, and once you balance it, you can go ahead and pretty much accomplish anything."
As for her musical talent, Fanshawn's boss would take credit if she could, but Fanshawn says her great grandmother had a beautiful voice, and her father, Lowell Taylor is a great singer. Unfortunately she says her mother, Venus Taylor, can't hold a note, but loves music.
When she's not with her mammals, when she's not into her music, Fanshawn is spending quality time with her family and indulges in eating guava duff.
It's been a week since her win, and she's been celebrating ever since.
"I ain't stop yet," she said. But she's quick to add, "a humble child always takes the grace of God."
Inaugural Music Masters winner Sammie Starr finished in the runner-up position and took home a $12,500 paycheck. Erika "Lady E" Symonette's two finale entries took third and fourth, earning her an $11,500 paycheck -- $7,500 for third and $4,000 for fourth.
Shavaughn Moss, Guardian Lifestyles Editor
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