The post Class of 2020 brings economic booster shot appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>Bright year in prospect for Bermuda insurance market
by Jonathan Kent
Devastating catastrophes tend to inspire a new appreciation for the value of insurance. So it has proved this year with the monumental impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, on top of a higher than average incidence of natural disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires.
Rates for insurance and reinsurance were rising before Covid-19 unleashed itself on the western world and most in the industry expect that hard market will last throughout 2021 and beyond.
In the words of Richard Brindle, chief exec- utive officer of Bermudian reinsurer Fidelis, this is the first real hard market since 2002, which followed the 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.
Rates had risen briefly after some of the major losses of recent years, but any nascent rising trend rapidly fizzled out. Some have at- tributed the smoothing out of the reinsurance cycle’s traditional peaks and troughs to the growing insurance-linked securities market. But three years of above-normal catastrophe losses, with loss creep meaning claims from previous events continue to climb, have left much capital “trapped” in ILS – one of several factors driving today’s hard market.
For Bermuda, the insurance pricing spike is a welcome silver lining during tough eco- nomic times. According to Maamoun Rajeh, chairman and chief executive officer of Arch Worldwide Reinsurance Group, the industry has seen inflows of about $12 billion this year, much of it coming to Bermuda.
Most of the new money has been raised by existing companies. The likes of Renais- sanceRe, Fidelis, Arch Capital, Hiscox and Lancashire Group have raised billions be- tween them through sales of debt or equity.
There are also some start-ups in the pipeline. These include the new Class 4 reinsurer being set up by Lloyd’s insurer Chaucer, which is owned by China Re, and Vantage, a start-up headed by former Arch chairman Dinos Iordanou and former Axa XL CEO Greg Hendrick, reportedly with about $1 billion in initial capital.
Then there is Conduit Holdings, which raised $1.1 billion in an initial public offering of shares on the London Stock Exchange with the aim of setting up a new Bermudian reinsurer. Conduit was founded by industry veterans Neil Eckert, who will be the new company’s chairman, and Trevor Carvey, one of the founding underwriters at Arch Re Bermuda, who will be CEO.
Add to that Convex Group, the new re/ insurer set up last year by Stephen Catlin and Paul Brand with $1.7 billion of committed capital, a company that will be moving up the gears towards top speed in the coming months, and it is apparent that the Bermuda marketplace is looking more buoyant than it has done in years.
Bermuda has seen nothing like this since 2005, when companies including Validus Holdings, Flagstone Re and Ariel Re launched in the wake of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. This year’s flurry of activity follows a prolonged period of consolidation for the industry, which has caused the number of standalone companies operating on the island to shrink.
The fact that Bermuda is attracting the lion’s share of the new money is significant in terms of the island’s ongoing status as a global re/insurance hub, according to Mark Chudleigh, lead partner in Bermuda for inter- national law firm Kennedys and an expert in financial services and corporate litigation.
“Despite doubts being expressed earlier this year about whether Bermuda would retain its ‘most favoured’ status for new ventures, it is now clear that Bermuda is still regarded by both incumbent Bermuda insurers and the sponsors of new capital as the place to be, particularly for underwriting US-based risks,” Mr Chudleigh said.
“We are seeing a combination of start-up re/insurers, managing agents who underwrite on behalf of capital providers, as well as established reinsurers who are raising additional capital to expand existing business lines or to branch out into new areas.”
While the influx of capital will give the lo- cal economy a shot in the arm, the number of jobs at the billion-dollar start-ups is unlikely to be what it was in 2005. The Convex model may be the blueprint for the modern re/insurance start-up.
Convex has deployed “horizontal outsourcing”, meaning it uses a single outsourcing firm, an Indian-headquartered company called WNS, for everything, as Mr Catlin explained in an interview with The Royal Gazette last year. The upshot is an absence of back-office jobs in Bermuda, although the island gains many higher value roles.
“Employment costs here are as high as they are anywhere,” Mr Catlin said. “Any people you employ here, or in London, have got to be adding value to the balance sheet. Those servicing the balance sheet can do it from elsewhere.”
Nevertheless, Mr Catlin hoped to have a staff of about 50 working at Convex’s reinsurance arm in Bermuda when it is fully up to speed.
Mr Chudleigh said the scale of the Class of 2020’s impact on the domestic economy was questionable. “Of course, there will be new jobs and new arrivals of reinsurance professionals looking for housing and schools,” Mr Chudleigh said. “But I do not expect to see anything on the scale of 2005 or prior start-up waves.
“The prolonged soft market has forced insurers to focus on expense reductions, which included the increased use of technology and ‘offshoring’ to low-cost jurisdictions like India, developments which tend to reduce opportunities for positions that are typically filled by Bermudians.
“This trend has accelerated as a result of the work-from-home revolution: why have an accounts processor working from home in Bermuda when you can hire one in Halifax or India for much less?”
A significant proportion of the island’s air arrivals traditionally come to the island on business, many of them here to negotiate insurance deals. Their stays tend to generate a lot of hospitality dollars, but the success of remote working this year could deplete that business, Mr Chudleigh fears.
“There has been a virtual cessation of business visitors, including insurance buyers and their brokers who may visit for a full week of meetings with golfing and dining thrown in,” Mr Chudleigh said.
“Will these high spending visitors come back in numbers when things return to ‘nor- mal’ or will remote transactions become the norm? If so, does a reinsurer need a big, prestige office with reception and secretarial staff, a large entertainment budget and an on-call taxi driver to ferry business visitors around?” The more high earners are based in Bermuda, whether they be Bermudian or not, the more benefit there is to the economy, since they are likely to be substantial spenders.
Malika Taylor, managing director, Bermuda, of recruitment firm Expertise, stressed that the island had to be as welcoming to new people as it is to new money in order to maximise economic benefits.
Ms Taylor said: “Bermuda continues to welcome financial capital. Our laws, the BMA and our reputation are all optimal. But on welcoming human capital, we lag other jurisdictions.
“To ensure we maximise every economic opportunity we must continue to look to immigration reform and position Bermuda as a leading place to live and work by 2021.”
Ms Taylor reiterated the view she first expressed In a video roundtable discussion on the economy, hosted by The Royal Gazette in August, when she said: “For Bermuda to be successful in the future and maintain a healthy, economically viable community, it needs to get back to being an excellent host.
“The critical point for Bermuda to recog- nise is that everybody who is working from home in Bermuda does not need to be here. We can successfully host tourists who come to Bermuda — a safe environment in this Covid world. We have to pay just as much attention and be just as great hosts to guest workers and individuals, who right now are choosing to work from Bermuda.”
Not all insurance workers will need to brought in, given that Bermuda has built a strong talent base of its own over the past three decades. More than two-thirds of the entire payroll of members of the Association of Insurers and Reinsurers are either Bermudians, spouses of Bermudians, or permanent residency certificate holders.
Mr Chudleigh said: “We have seen a whole generation of Bermudians working their way up in the insurance industry and now occupy- ing mid-level and senior positions.
“The nature of the business is such that there will always be a need for a large number of skilled guest workers, but there are many more Bermudians occupying skilled posi- tions now than there were when the ‘Class of 2005’ arrived. Arguably, the opportunities for ambitious, educated, young Bermudians have never been better.”
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]]>The post Silver linings amid the gloom for tourism appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>Health and safety a key attraction for Bermuda
by Jonathan Kent
Tourism faces a long and rocky road back to normality. A sector important for the jobs it provides and supports, and the foreign currency it brings in, was chopped off at the knees with the three-month airport closure and the sudden and complete loss of cruise ships.
Hotels and tourism-reliant businesses were shut down, thousands were laid off and many made redundant. Air arrivals have gradually picked up since the airport reopened in July, but a second wave of the virus in the US and Britain has caused the temporary suspension of the British Airways flight.
Cruise ships have been absent from April onwards, causing pain to the taxi and minibus drivers, retailers and tour operators who rely on them. In the last three quarters of 2019, Bermuda welcomed more than half a million cruise visitors, this year there have been none over the same period.
To say it’s been a tough year would be an understatement. But Glenn Jones, interim chief executive officer of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, says the mood in the industry has been lifted by Bermuda’s relative success in controlling the virus.
“Talking to them about where we are versus our competitors gives them a lot of optimism,” Mr Jones said. “Tourism is going to recover. This is a matter of how long does it take and how many tourism businesses can sustain themselves for that length of time.
“Our tourism recovery started in July and hasn’t regressed. Every month has been a positive step forward. Some of our competi- tors still haven’t opened up, or have opened up and had to shut down again.
“The recovery will still be longer than 12 months, for sure, but I think we’re going to get to a period that feels like recovery much faster than our competitors. And I hope that means we will lose a lot fewer businesses along the way.”
Based on what we know today, Mr Jones said a full recovery was unlikely before 2022, although much could change in the mean- time.
The BTA interim CEO said Bermuda’s health and safety record is a “differentiator” that leads the conversation with travellers, and which had produced spin-off benefits already, particularly in sports tourism as organisers seek safe venues.
In October the island hosted sailing events, the Bermuda Gold Cup and a World Match Racing Tour event, rescued by coming to Ber- muda. The Bermuda Championship was the first PGA Tour event to welcome spectators since the onset of the pandemic. And then there was the bonus of the World Tens Series rugby event.
“We were not even on their radar,” Mr Jones said. “We spoke to an organiser who said they had basically searched every con- tinent to find a place where they could hold the event. Bermuda was one of the few places where it was possible to do it safely, so they came here. They had a very good experience and they’re already talking to us about poten- tially coming back next year.”
Among next year’s sporting events will be the World Triathlon Series season-ending event in October and a potential spring US Tennis Foundation event. Also, confirmed only this week, is SailGP’s season-starting in April. The event will feature the same 50ft catamarans used in the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda.
Eight teams – Australia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the United States – will stay on the island for a four-week training camp ahead of the April 24-25 races on the Great Sound in the Bermuda Grand Prix presented by Hamilton Princess.
SailGP will be a huge draw to the big-spending superyacht crowd, a top BTA target. Mr Jones said: “We know this group is attracted to events and when they come, they stay for weeks longer – we saw this during the America’s Cup. This is a thrilling opportunity that not only offers Bermuda significant eco- nomic stimulus and international exposure outside the summer months, but also presents local business opportunities and community engagement benefits for our young people.”
Airlift, crucial to tourism’s success, has gradually been recovering since the airport reopened. Flights to Bermuda in July had only 10 per cent of the seats available for the same month in 2019, 20 per cent in August, 23 per cent in September and 33 per cent in October.
“Having that steady increase is giving us a steady pathway to recovery,” he said. Howev- er, Mr Jones is concerned by the prospects for winter airlift, as a result of the suspension of the BA flight and US airlines focusing on only the most popular routes.
At the end of March next year, BA will switch to Heathrow from Gatwick for its Lon- don-Bermuda service, something that would improve links to Europe, Mr Jones said.
Hotel room inventory will also influence airlift in the year to come. In April, the new St Regis Hotel in St George’s is due to open, the same month as the Rosedon reopens its doors. The new Bermudiana Beach Resort will open in July. Elbow Beach is expected to reopen, but the date has not been determined.
This activity will help to offset the more than 600 rooms that have been lost from the closure of the Fairmont Southampton, the island’s largest hotel, for a $100 million overhaul.
Mr Jones has mixed emotions about that, sad at the hundreds of workers impacted, concerned about the impact on airlift, but excited by the prospect of the refurbished hotel reopening in 2022.
“It’s the number one groups and con- ventions hotel,” Mr Jones said. “Perhaps the best time to take a pause is when groups and conventions are taking a pause. For that to be coming back online in April 2022, around the time the conventions season restarts, would actually be tremendous. Those planners look for new places to go.”
Another consequence of the closure is that smaller properties become more competitive in the absence of the Fairmont. “If you are Cambridge Beaches, The Reefs, or Newstead, the fact that you aren’t, at this moment, com- peting with the Fairmont Southampton, puts you in a stronger position than if you were,” Mr Jones said.
With regard to cruise ships, Mr Jones said the BTA has been working with health offi- cials to work out what the Bermuda standard will be for arriving passengers and he wants the island to remain ahead of the curve. “We should sort out with stakeholders like the Government and Wedco how we should open safely. If we do that now and get finished within the next 60 or 90 days, it puts us in the driver’s seat to tell the cruise industry, this is how Bermuda is going to do it safely, can you meet this standard?”
April 1 “feels right” as a potential re- sumption date, he added. Much depends on adherence to the framework developed by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the US, under which cruise lines will eventually be able to resume passenger voyages with strict health protocols.
Inspiring residents to take “staycations” was part of the BTA’s “inside-out” marketing strategy to help hotels stay afloat and get their staff back to work.
“The hoteliers tell us that the staycations have been way stronger than they projected when deciding to reopen,” Mr Jones said. “There have been weekends when our hotels have been sold out, with the combination of people doing staycations and visitors.” The Work From Bermuda certificate, al- lowing international remote workers to work from Bermuda for a year has been a boon to tourism, in more ways than one.
Mr Jones said: “We believe this group spends a lot in the tourism economy, more so than the typical resident. They’re more likely to book a jet ski, take a boat trip, play golf and eat out.
“It’s also been the best publicity generator for Bermuda this year, with stories talking about the Bermuda lifestyle that is attractive to visitors. By our count, we’ve seen $2.6 mil- lion in combined media value just from media organisations talking about the Work From Bermuda certificate and more than a billion impressions.”
Vacation rentals have benefited from digi- tal nomads. Hotels have introduced extended stay pricing for this market, while electric car firms are looking at month-long and quarterly rentals.
Traditionally, the leisure travel had been largely a volume play, based on numbers of visitors, Mr Jones said. “Maybe the play now is how long can we get a visitor to stay and how much can we get them to spend per day while they’re here.”
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]]>The post Ready to see the back of 2020 appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>Expert sees an uneven economic recovery ahead
by Jonathan Kent
Most of us will be delighted to see the back of 2020, a year that forced fundamental changes to the way we live and plunged us headlong into economic turmoil.
The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic brought us shelter-in-place and the closure of our airport for three months, cost many hotel, restaurant and retail workers their jobs and caused thousands more to be laid off or suffer wage cuts. Working from home has become normal, rather than exceptional, while travel plans were scrapped and the tourism indus- try ground to a virtual halt.
In 2019, the sight of someone wearing a face mask entering a bank or service station would have signalled the arrival of a robber: in 2020, it became required attire for us all.
This is all besides the human tragedy of those who died or became seriously ill as a result of the virus.
All eyes are now looking in hopeful antic- ipation to 2021. What will economic recovery look like?
RG Business has spoken with businesspeo- ple from multiple sectors to get their outlook on the coming year. While it was clear that the pandemic has beaten down some indus- tries more than others, many of our inter- viewees viewed 2021 with cautious optimism, displaying the resilience, ability to adapt and
can-do spirit of Bermuda’s business commu- nity.
But there was also an acknowledgement that some sectors, particularly retail, restau- rants and tourism, would need help to survive until better days, from breaks on taxes to lo- cals making an extra effort to patronise their businesses.
While most of us would yearn for a V-shaped recovery, Nathan Kowalski, chief financial officer of Anchor Investment Management and financial columnist for The Royal Gazette, sees the more likely scenario as K-shaped. That means a two-speed recovery, with those in international business doing
well, while many parts of the domestic econo- my continue to struggle.
Mr Kowalski said even though gross do- mestic product figures may not look so bad, that will not tell the story of those who are suffering. “Many jobs in areas like hospitality and restaurants have gone,” he said. “With those positions not available, there will have to be some retooling and retraining so that skill sets can match job options.”
Struggling sectors will inevitably turn to the Government for help, but public finances are also stretched.
The Government said last month it had paid out $56.8 million in financial aid to more than 10,000 people since the start of April.
It has also committed $12 million to support stricken small businesses through the Ber- muda Economic Development Corporation, and millions more in waived taxes, duties
and fees. All this, while revenue from tour- ism-based taxes, on air and cruise arrivals and hotel occupancy, have slumped to minimal amounts.
Faced with a large deficit that will propel its debt burden close to $3 billion, the Government will seek extra revenue from somewhere, but Mr Kow- alski urges Curtis Dickinson, the finance
minister, not to pull the usual levers. “The two major sources of government
revenue are payroll tax and Customs duties,” he said. “But I’m not sure there is any leeway to increase those right now.” For businesses, he said that would be like “punching them as they get up off the floor”.
He added that the Government should
also pursue tens of millions of dollars of unpaid back taxes more aggressively. Allow- ing companies to avoid paying what was due disadvantaged competitors who played by the
rules, he added.
For several years, the Government – both
Progressive Labour Party and One Bermu- da Alliance administrations – have looked at ways of broadening the tax base. In the
Throne Speech this month, the Government signalled an intention to introduce a capital gains tax.
Mr Kowalski said the Government’s debt burden was less of a concern than the health of the economy, given a successful $1.3 billion bond issuance this year that had not only sup- plied projected borrowing needs for the next two to three years, but had also rolled over existing debt, securing a lower interest rate in the process, and extended durations.
However, while Bermuda maintains an A rating from Standard & Poor’s that helps it to secure low borrowing rates, Mr Kowalski said the Government must act to protect it.
“You need to show the rating agencies that you’re fiscally responsible,” Mr Kowalski said. “Reducing government expenses has to be part of the equation.”
Public-sector unions agreed to a 10 per cent pay cut for one year from September 1, as well as a freeze on contributions to social insurance and the Superannuation Pension Fund. Mr Kowalski said more was needed, changes that would reduce the Government’s cost structure, such as a privatisation pro- gramme, as recommended in the Sage Report. Privatisation need not cost any jobs, he point- ed out, and would give government workers the opportunity to become business owners.
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]]>The post Test of time appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>SOME ENTERTAINERS ARE HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW. RG MAGAZINE SPEAKS WITH THREE PERFORMERS WHO HAVE GRACED THE LOCAL STAGE FOR THE PAST TWO (OR MORE) DECADES.
My Introduction To Music
I was brought up in a musical family. My father was a piano player, so I was raised in that world. He opened one of the Island’s first big nightclubs, The Forty Thieves Club, in 1962 when I was 11-years-old. I watched all that magic unfold as a kid, seeing all these amazing people come to perform in Bermuda. I also studied classical piano from age six, but after going off to school in England and discovering The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, I decided to pick up the guitar instead.
How I Began My Performing Career
I followed in my father’s footsteps and began running clubs on the Island after university. Then in 1989, my father packed it all up and sold his club to go live in Florida. I thought ‘What can I do next?’. I fell back on playing music at places like Hawkins Island throughout the 1990s. Then in 2000, I started Bermuda.com, which was my day job and would play performing gigs at night. I’ve been playing professionally for the last two decades and seen lots of success with the band, The Big Chill, which was formed by myself and Felix Tod in 2012. First, we had Joy Barnum on lead vocals, then Kassie Caines and now Jesse Seymour.
Changes I’ve Seen To The Entertainment Industry
One thing my father always taught me was ‘It’s not about what you like, it’s what the people like’. You have to figure out what the market wants. With The Big Chill, we play a lot of modern music, which I find to be quite repetitive and formulaic, but people like it. If I played rock and roll, chances are people probably wouldn’t come out. Another change I’ve seen is people using modern technology like tracks and synthesizers. Even big-name artists like Shaggy go on tour with a DJ. People’s lifestyles in Bermuda have also changed. They choose to stay in and watch Netflix because the cost of living in Bermuda is high, and people can’t afford to go out as much.
My Introduction To Music
I grew up attending the New Testament Church of God on Curving Avenue every Sunday. One particular weekend, the North Village Band came to our church and played a selection of music. I remember being very impressed and noticed quite a few young players there. That evening at dinner I said to my mom ‘I want to play the guitar’. She called a music teacher she knew, who encouraged me to play the saxophone instead. The following Christmas, my father, bought me a sax. I started taking lessons when I was 10-years-old.
How I Began My Performing Career
During high school at The Berkeley Institute, there was a band called NTS that a lot of great young musicians came out of, from the Hinds brothers, to Grant Williams, Barrett Dill and Kevin Richardson. Most of the guys went on to play music in some capacity. I was part of it and through that got to perform at various venues. I was paid $50 for one gig, which for me was awesome – to get paid for something I love to do. From there, I joined a couple of other bands, then went off to study at Bowie State University and Berklee College of Music. I came back to Bermuda and have been performing and teaching ever since.
Changes I’ve Seen To The Entertainment Industry
In this industry, you have to be open to change. The music industry is constantly growing and evolving, and if you want to stay in the game, and make money from it, you have to change right along with it. I’ve found that technology has become a big part of music production and performances in Bermuda. I’ve also seen a change in how live entertainment is perceived on the Island. Restaurants that hire live musicians do so to create an atmosphere. The food is the focus and music is secondary. I’m grateful that at least it is still present in some capacity. Going forward, I’d like to see more entertainers from my era, giving back and mentoring the youth so we can revive live entertainment in Bermuda.
My Introduction To Music
My journey in the performing arts began in high school at the Berkeley Institute as a member of the choir and theatre groups. Later in life, I developed a yearning to evolve my “gift”. A pivotal moment arose when I auditioned for the Greg Thompson Review and was successful in getting a lead singing role. It was a show that ran five nights a week at the Southampton Princess, which albeit led to some vocal injury, but provided the impetus for me to receive the tutelage of vocal lessons and classical training with wonderful teachers such as our own Ruzelda Severin.
How I Began My Performing Career
Music and the arts, in general, have always been in my life, and I was fortunate to have parents who exposed me to diverse genres of music in our home. Gregarious by nature, as a young dancer with the Jackson’s School of Dance, I was introduced to the stage. It was through dance and theatre that I developed the confidence and affinity to perform. My inspiration has emanated from a range of performers, and no doubt I, as an ‘old soul’ have a love of the iconic jazz singers like Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Shirley Horn and Nancy Wilson, to name a few. I’ve had many magical moments in my over 30 years of performing, however, without question, my most memorable performance was at the Bermuda Music Festival in 2009, being on stage with the legendary Quincy Jones and his orchestra. That is etched in my soul for eternity.
Changes I’ve Seen To The Entertainment Industry
The electronic era has diminished the need for the full band; hence we do not have the advantage of hearing music in its fullest context, i.e. the Trios and Quartets of old. Economics is a driving force as it relates to the investment capacity that promoters, hoteliers etc. are willing to expend for entertainment. Thus it is incumbent upon ourselves as entertainers to develop an entrepreneurial approach to present our artistry to the masses and create the narrative of the value of local entertainment for our visitors and the local community alike.
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]]>The post Love at first soundbite appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>by Nadia Laws
Mikaela Ian Pearman
Soca Lova, Entertainment Blogger
Reason you fell in love with soca?
Soca to me is happy music. It literally puts me in a good mood every time I listen to it. I download DJ Private Ryan’s playlists when I go to the gym. They keep my energy up, even when I don’t want to work out.
Best soca fete in Bermuda?
I’d say Snorkel Park in 2007 when Shurwayne Winchester came here. It was at the height of his fame, and he had a few hit songs out. He had incredible energy on stage. I remember it being one of the best soca shows I’d ever been to. Recently, I loved Machel
Montano at Cup Match Summer Splash and of course any time Kes The Band performs.
Song you currently have on repeat?
Right now, I can’t stop listening to Kes The Band’s Savannah Grass. Even though I’m not a Trini and I’ve never been to Trinidad for Carnival, I understand the passion and love behind the song.
Favourite artist of all time?
Hands down, Machel Montano. He’s the celebrity I’d choose time and again to have lunch or dinner with. And it’s not for the obvious reason that everyone thinks – his music. I love Machel because his work ethic is unmatched. He’s now in his mid-40s and still putting out hit after hit. I honestly don’t see anyone dethroning him as the king of soca anytime soon.
Greatest memory as a soca fan?
It would probably be my first real experience with soca. I went to Kevin Lyttle in 2003 at White Hill when I was 16. I had so much fun, and it was my first introduction to the genre. That’s when my love affair with soca really began.
DJ Chubb
Reggae Lova, Vibe 103FM Radio Host
Reason you fell in love with reggae?
The first time I heard reggae, I was four years old, and it was everything to me. I didn’t understand all the lyrics and meaning behind the words back then, but it was the melody and feel of the music that I fell in love with.
Best reggae party in Bermuda?
In my personal opinion, the best party is Cup Match Summer Splash. That’s the most fun I’ve ever had.
Song you currently have on repeat?
Right now, the song I’m listening to is Collie Buddz, ‘Show Love’. It’s the message behind it that resonates. With everything going on today in society, particularly with social media, the song is a reminder that instead of complaining or tearing people down with our words, we should be positive and show love.
Favourite reggae artist of all time?
Beres Hammond. His music has brought me through so much in my life. It is so motivating and uplifting, and to me, he’s the Godfather of Reggae Music. A lot of his music doesn’t even make his concert line-up, but it’s all feel-good and quality tunes.
Greatest memory as a reggae fan?
I believe it was when I was four-years-old, believe it or not. Listening to Bob Marley’s Rastaman Vibration album. I remember hearing those songs playing in the car as a child and around the house. I didn’t know what the lyrics really meant, but now when I put those songs on, I realise just how rich and vibrant they are. Tunes like ‘Rat Race’ and ‘Johnny was a Good Man’ are still incredibly relevant today.
This article was originally published in the 2019 edition of the RG Cup Match supplement.
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]]>The post Savvy Entertainment hosts Vegas Nights appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>Island, Dockyard.
At this casino themed night, attendees will enjoy live performances by their favourite
Bermuda artists and DJs while sipping on their favourite cocktails. Attendees will also have the
opportunity to win amazing prizes, network and mingle, play the best casino-style games; including
crown and anchor and dance the night away.
This year, proceeds raised from the Vegas night event will go toward Savvy Foundation. Earlier this year Savvy Foundation obtained its charity license here in Bermuda and plans to operate successfully as it does in the US to help enhance the young people of Bermuda. Savvy Foundation’s platform is focused on the areas of arts, music, creative entrepreneurship as well as health and wellness and its mission is to educate, inspire, and challenge individuals to reach their maximum potential while encouraging an attitude of service, compassion and generosity.
“It is extremely important for us to give back to the community and there is no greater investment than an investment in our young people. Vegas Night will be a spring board to series events put on by Savvy Entertainment for which we hope to raise funds for Savvy Foundation. We are planning to begin Savvy Foundation’s youth programs very soon and it is our hope that we can make a difference in the lives of the young people in Bermuda”, said Savvy CEO, Anthony Blakey.
Vegas Night will be held on February 2 at the Shed from 8pm-1am. Tickets are available now at
www.ptix.bm.
For more information –
Website: www.savvy-ent.com
Instagram: @savvyentertainment
Facebook: Savvy Entertainment
General inquiries: [email protected]
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]]>The post 61st GRAMMY Awards: Nominees list appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>Here are some of the nominees for this year’s Grammy Awards:
General Field
1. Record Of The Year
Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s) and mastering engineer(s), if other than the artist.
- I LIKE IT
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin
Invincible, JWhiteDidIt, Craig Kallman & Tainy, producers; Leslie Brathwaite, Kuk Harrell & Evan LaRay, engineers/mixers; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer - THE JOKE
Brandi Carlile
Dave Cobb & Shooter Jennings, producers; Tom Elmhirst & Eddie Spear, engineers/mixers; Pete Lyman, mastering engineer - THIS IS AMERICA
Childish Gambino
Donald Glover & Ludwig Goransson, producers; Derek “MixedByAli” Ali, Riley Mackin & Shaan Singh, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer - GOD’S PLAN
Drake
Boi-1Da, Cardo & Young Exclusive, producers; Noel Cadastre, Noel “Gadget” Campbell & Noah Shebib, engineers/mixers; Chris Athens, mastering engineer - SHALLOW
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
Lady Gaga & Benjamin Rice, producers; Brandon Bost & Tom Elmhirst, engineers/mixers; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer - ALL THE STARS
Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Al Shux & Sounwave, producers; Sam Ricci & Matt Schaeffer, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer - ROCKSTAR
Post Malone Featuring 21 Savage
Louis Bell & Tank God, producers; Louis Bell, Lorenzo Cardona, Manny Marroquin & Ethan Stevens, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer - THE MIDDLE
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
Grey, Monsters & Strangerz & Zedd, producers; Grey, Tom Norris, Ryan Shanahan & Zedd, engineers/mixers; Mike Marsh, mastering engineer
2. Album Of The Year
Award to Artist(s) and to Featured Artist(s), Songwriter(s) of new material, Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s), Mixer(s) and Mastering Engineer(s) credited with at least 33% playing time of the album, if other than Artist.
- INVASION OF PRIVACY
Cardi B
Leslie Brathwaite & Evan LaRay, engineers/mixers; Belcalis Almanzar & Jorden Thorpe, songwriters; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer - BY THE WAY, I FORGIVE YOU
Brandi Carlile
Dave Cobb & Shooter Jennings, producers; Dave Cobb & Eddie Spear, engineers/mixers; Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters; Pete Lyman, mastering engineer - SCORPION
Drake
Noel Cadastre, Noel “Gadget” Campbell & Noah Shebib, engineers/mixers; Aubrey Graham & Noah Shebib, songwriters; Chris Athens, mastering engineer - H.E.R.
H.E.R.
Darhyl “Hey DJ” Camper Jr, David ‘Swagg R’Celious’ Harris, H.E.R., Walter Jones & Jeff Robinson, producers; Miki Tsutsumi, engineer/mixer; Darhyl Camper Jr & H.E.R., songwriters; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer - BEERBONGS & BENTLEYS
Post Malone
Louis Bell & Post Malone, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Louis Bell & Austin Post, songwriters; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer - DIRTY COMPUTER
Janelle Monáe
Chuck Lightning & Janelle Monáe Robinson & Nate “Rocket” Wonder, producers; Mick Guzauski, Janelle Monáe Robinson & Nate “Rocket” Wonder, engineers/mixers; Nathaniel Irvin III, Charles Joseph II, Taylor Parks & Janelle Monáe Robinson, songwriters; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer - GOLDEN HOUR
Kacey Musgraves
Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves & Daniel Tashian, producers; Craig Alvin & Shawn Everett, engineers/mixers; Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves & Daniel Tashian, songwriters; Greg Calbi & Steve Fallone, mastering engineers - BLACK PANTHER: THE ALBUM, MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY
(Various Artists)
Kendrick Lamar, featured artist; Kendrick Duckworth & Sounwave, producers; Matt Schaeffer, engineer/mixer; Kendrick Duckworth & Mark Spears, songwriters; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
3. Song Of The Year
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
- ALL THE STARS
Kendrick Duckworth, Solána Rowe, Al Shuckburgh, Mark Spears & Anthony Tiffith, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar & SZA) - BOO’D UP
Larrance Dopson, Joelle James, Ella Mai & Dijon McFarlane, songwriters (Ella Mai) - GOD’S PLAN
Aubrey Graham, Daveon Jackson, Brock Korsan, Ron LaTour, Matthew Samuels & Noah Shebib, songwriters (Drake) - IN MY BLOOD
Teddy Geiger, Scott Harris, Shawn Mendes & Geoffrey Warburton, songwriters (Shawn Mendes) - THE JOKE
Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile) - THE MIDDLE
Sarah Aarons, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Marcus Lomax, Kyle Trewartha, Michael Trewartha & Anton Zaslavski, songwriters (Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey) - SHALLOW
Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando & Andrew Wyatt, songwriters (Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper) - THIS IS AMERICA
Donald Glover, Ludwig Goransson & Jeffery Lamar Williams, songwriters (Childish Gambino)
4. Best New Artist
An artist will be considered for Best New Artist if their eligibility year release/s achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and notably impacted the musical landscape.
Pop
5. Best Pop Solo Performance
For new vocal or instrumental pop recordings. Singles or Tracks only.
- COLORS
Beck - HAVANA (LIVE)
Camila Cabello - GOD IS A WOMAN
Ariana Grande - JOANNE (WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOIN’?)
Lady Gaga - BETTER NOW
Post Malone
6. Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative pop recordings. Singles or Tracks only.
- FALL IN LINE
Christina Aguilera Featuring Demi Lovato - DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART
Backstreet Boys - ‘S WONDERFUL
Tony Bennett & Diana Krall - SHALLOW
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper - GIRLS LIKE YOU
Maroon 5 Featuring Cardi B - SAY SOMETHING
Justin Timberlake Featuring Chris Stapleton - THE MIDDLE
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
7. Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new traditional pop recordings.
- LOVE IS HERE TO STAY
Tony Bennett & Diana Krall - MY WAY
Willie Nelson - NAT “KING” COLE & ME
Gregory Porter - STANDARDS (DELUXE)
Seal - THE MUSIC…THE MEM’RIES…THE MAGIC!
Barbra Streisand
8. Best Pop Vocal Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal pop recordings.
- CAMILA
Camila Cabello - MEANING OF LIFE
Kelly Clarkson - SWEETENER
Ariana Grande - SHAWN MENDES
Shawn Mendes - BEAUTIFUL TRAUMA
P!nk - REPUTATION
Taylor Swift
Dance/Electronic Music
9. Best Dance Recording
For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances. Vocal or Instrumental. Singles or tracks only.
- NORTHERN SOUL
Above & Beyond Featuring Richard Bedford
Above & Beyond & Andrew Bayer, producers; Above & Beyond, mixers - ULTIMATUM
Disclosure (Featuring Fatoumata Diawara)
Guy Lawrence & Howard Lawrence, producers; Guy Lawrence, mixer - LOSING IT
Fisher
Paul Nicholas Fisher, producer; Kevin Grainger, mixer - ELECTRICITY
Silk City & Dua Lipa Featuring Diplo & Mark Ronson
Silk City, producers; Josh Gudwin, mixer - GHOST VOICES
Virtual Self
Porter Robinson, producer; Porter Robinson, mixer
10. Best Dance/Electronic Album
For vocal or instrumental albums. Albums only.
- SINGULARITY
Jon Hopkins - WOMAN WORLDWIDE
Justice - TREEHOUSE
Sofi Tukker - OIL OF EVERY PEARL’S UN-INSIDES
SOPHIE - LUNE ROUGE
TOKiMONSTA
Contemporary Instrumental Music
11. Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
For albums containing approximately 51% or more playing time of instrumental material. For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new recordings.
- THE EMANCIPATION PROCRASTINATION
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah - STEVE GADD BAND
Steve Gadd Band - MODERN LORE
Julian Lage - LAID BLACK
Marcus Miller - PROTOCOL 4
Simon Phillips
Rock
12. Best Rock Performance
For new vocal or instrumental solo, duo/group or collaborative rock recordings.
- FOUR OUT OF FIVE
Arctic Monkeys - WHEN BAD DOES GOOD
Chris Cornell - MADE AN AMERICA
THE FEVER 333 - HIGHWAY TUNE
Greta Van Fleet - UNCOMFORTABLE
Halestorm
13. Best Metal Performance
For new vocal or instrumental solo, duo/group or collaborative metal recordings.
- CONDEMNED TO THE GALLOWS
Between The Buried And Me - HONEYCOMB
Deafheaven - ELECTRIC MESSIAH
High On Fire - BETRAYER
Trivium - ON MY TEETH
Underoath
14. Best Rock Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Rock, Hard Rock and Metal songs. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
- BLACK SMOKE RISING
Jacob Thomas Kiszka, Joshua Michael Kiszka, Samuel Francis Kiszka & Daniel Robert Wagner, songwriters (Greta Van Fleet) - JUMPSUIT
Tyler Joseph, songwriter (Twenty One Pilots) - MANTRA
Jordan Fish, Matthew Kean, Lee Malia, Matthew Nicholls & Oliver Sykes, songwriters (Bring Me The Horizon) - MASSEDUCTION
Jack Antonoff & Annie Clark, songwriters (St. Vincent) - RATS
Tom Dalgety & A Ghoul Writer, songwriters (Ghost)
15. Best Rock Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new rock, hard rock or metal recordings.
- RAINIER FOG
Alice In Chains - M A N I A
Fall Out Boy - PREQUELLE
Ghost - FROM THE FIRES
Greta Van Fleet - PACIFIC DAYDREAM
Weezer
Alternative
16. Best Alternative Music Album
Vocal or Instrumental.
- TRANQUILITY BASE HOTEL + CASINO
Arctic Monkeys - COLORS
Beck - UTOPIA
Björk - AMERICAN UTOPIA
David Byrne - MASSEDUCTION
St. Vincent
R&B
17. Best R&B Performance
For new vocal or instrumental R&B recordings.
- LONG AS I LIVE
Toni Braxton - SUMMER
The Carters - Y O Y
Lalah Hathaway - BEST PART
H.E.R. Featuring Daniel Caesar - FIRST BEGAN
PJ Morton
18. Best Traditional R&B Performance
For new vocal or instrumental traditional R&B recordings.
- BET AIN’T WORTH THE HAND
Leon Bridges - DON’T FALL APART ON ME TONIGHT
Bettye LaVette - HONEST
MAJOR. - HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE
PJ Morton Featuring Yebba - MADE FOR LOVE
Charlie Wilson Featuring Lalah Hathaway
19. Best R&B Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
- BOO’D UP
Larrance Dopson, Joelle James, Ella Mai & Dijon McFarlane, songwriters (Ella Mai) - COME THROUGH AND CHILL
Jermaine Cole, Miguel Pimentel & Salaam Remi, songwriters (Miguel Featuring J. Cole & Salaam Remi) - FEELS LIKE SUMMER
Donald Glover & Ludwig Goransson, songwriters (Childish Gambino) - FOCUS
Darhyl Camper Jr, H.E.R. & Justin Love, songwriters (H.E.R.) - LONG AS I LIVE
Paul Boutin, Toni Braxton & Antonio Dixon, songwriters (Toni Braxton)
20. Best Urban Contemporary Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded contemporary vocal tracks derivative of R&B.
- EVERYTHING IS LOVE
The Carters - THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
Chloe x Halle - CHRIS DAVE AND THE DRUMHEDZ
Chris Dave And The Drumhedz - WAR & LEISURE
Miguel - VENTRILOQUISM
Meshell Ndegeocello
21. Best R&B Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new R&B recordings.
- SEX & CIGARETTES
Toni Braxton - GOOD THING
Leon Bridges - HONESTLY
Lalah Hathaway - H.E.R.
H.E.R. - GUMBO UNPLUGGED (LIVE)
PJ Morton
Rap
22. Best Rap Performance
For a Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.
- BE CAREFUL
Cardi B - NICE FOR WHAT
Drake - KING’S DEAD
Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Future & James Blake - BUBBLIN
Anderson .Paak - SICKO MODE
Travis Scott, Drake, Big Hawk & Swae Lee
23. Best Rap/Sung Performance
For a solo or collaborative performance containing both elements of R&B melodies and Rap.
- LIKE I DO
Christina Aguilera Featuring Goldlink - PRETTY LITTLE FEARS
6lack Featuring J. Cole - THIS IS AMERICA
Childish Gambino - ALL THE STARS
Kendrick Lamar & SZA - ROCKSTAR
Post Malone Featuring 21 Savage
24. Best Rap Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
- GOD’S PLAN
Aubrey Graham, Daveon Jackson, Brock Korsan, Ron LaTour, Matthew Samuels & Noah Shebib, songwriters (Drake) - KING’S DEAD
Kendrick Duckworth, Samuel Gloade, James Litherland, Johnny McKinzie, Axel Morgan, Mark Spears, Travis Walton, Nayvadius Wilburn & Michael Williams II, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Future & James Blake) - LUCKY YOU
R. Fraser, G. Lucas, M. Mathers, M. Samuels & J. Sweet, songwriters (Eminem Featuring Joyner Lucas) - SICKO MODE
Khalif Brown, Rogét Chahayed, BryTavious Chambers, Mike Dean, Mirsad Dervic, Kevin Gomringer, Tim Gomringer, Aubrey Graham, John Edward Hawkins, Chauncey Hollis, Jacques Webster, Ozan Yildirim & Cydel Young, songwriters (Travis Scott, Drake, Big Hawk & Swae Lee) - WIN
K. Duckworth, A. Hernandez, J. McKinzie, M. Samuels & C. Thompson, songwriters (Jay Rock)
25. Best Rap Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new rap recordings.
- INVASION OF PRIVACY
Cardi B - SWIMMING
Mac Miller - VICTORY LAP
Nipsey Hussle - DAYTONA
Pusha T - ASTROWORLD
Travis Scott
Country
26. Best Country Solo Performance
For new vocal or instrumental solo country recordings.
- WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT?
Loretta Lynn - MONA LISAS AND MAD HATTERS
Maren Morris - BUTTERFLIES
Kacey Musgraves - MILLIONAIRE
Chris Stapleton - PARALLEL LINE
Keith Urban
27. Best Country Duo/Group Performance
For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative country recordings.
- SHOOT ME STRAIGHT
Brothers Osborne - TEQUILA
Dan + Shay - WHEN SOMEONE STOPS LOVING YOU
Little Big Town - DEAR HATE
Maren Morris Featuring Vince Gill - MEANT TO BE
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
28. Best Country Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
- BREAK UP IN THE END
Jessie Jo Dillon, Chase McGill & Jon Nite, songwriters (Cole Swindell) - DEAR HATE
Tom Douglas, David Hodges & Maren Morris, songwriters (Maren Morris Featuring Vince Gill) - I LIVED IT
Rhett Akins, Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley & Ben Hayslip, songwriters (Blake Shelton) - SPACE COWBOY
Luke Laird, Shane McAnally & Kacey Musgraves, songwriters (Kacey Musgraves) - TEQUILA
Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds & Dan Smyers, songwriters (Dan + Shay) - WHEN SOMEONE STOPS LOVING YOU
Hillary Lindsey, Chase McGill & Lori McKenna, songwriters (Little Big Town)
29. Best Country Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new country recordings.
- UNAPOLOGETICALLY
Kelsea Ballerini - PORT SAINT JOE
Brothers Osborne - GIRL GOING NOWHERE
Ashley McBryde - GOLDEN HOUR
Kacey Musgraves - FROM A ROOM: VOLUME 2
Chris Stapleton
New Age
30. Best New Age Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental new age recordings.
- HIRAETH
Lisa Gerrard & David Kuckhermann - BELOVED
Snatam Kaur - OPIUM MOON
Opium Moon - MOLECULES OF MOTION
Steve Roach - MOKU MALUHIA – PEACEFUL ISLAND
Jim Kimo West
Jazz
31. Best Improvised Jazz Solo
For an instrumental jazz solo performance. Two equal performers on one recording may be eligible as one entry. If the soloist listed appears on a recording billed to another artist, the latter’s name is in parenthesis for identification. Singles or Tracks only.
- SOME OF THAT SUNSHINE
Regina Carter, soloist
Track from: Some Of That Sunshine (Karrin Allyson) - DON’T FENCE ME IN
John Daversa, soloist
Track from: American Dreamers: Voices Of Hope, Music Of Freedom (John Daversa Big Band Featuring DACA Artists) - WE SEE
Fred Hersch, soloists - DE-DAH
Brad Mehldau, soloist
Track from: Seymour Reads The Constitution! (Brad Mehldau Trio) - CADENAS
Miguel Zenón, soloist
Track from: Yo Soy La Tradición (Miguel Zenón Featuring Spektral Quartet)
32. Best Jazz Vocal Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal jazz recordings.
- MY MOOD IS YOU
Freddy Cole - THE QUESTIONS
Kurt Elling - THE SUBJECT TONIGHT IS LOVE
Kate McGarry, Keith Ganz, Gary Versace - IF YOU REALLY WANT
Raul Midón With The Metropole Orkest Conducted By Vince Mendoza - THE WINDOW
Cécile McLorin Salvant
33. Best Jazz Instrumental Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new instrumental jazz recordings.
- DIAMOND CUT
Tia Fuller - LIVE IN EUROPE
Fred Hersch Trio - SEYMOUR READS THE CONSTITUTION!
Brad Mehldau Trio - STILL DREAMING
Joshua Redman, Ron Miles, Scott Colley & Brian Blade - EMANON
The Wayne Shorter Quartet
34. Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new ensemble jazz recordings.
- ALL ABOUT THAT BASIE
The Count Basie Orchestra Directed By Scotty Barnhart - AMERICAN DREAMERS: VOICES OF HOPE, MUSIC OF FREEDOM
John Daversa Big Band Featuring DACA Artists - PRESENCE
Orrin Evans And The Captain Black Big Band - ALL CAN WORK
John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble - BAREFOOT DANCES AND OTHER VISIONS
Jim McNeely & The Frankfurt Radio Big Band
35. Best Latin Jazz Album
For vocal or instrumental albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded material. The intent of this category is to recognize recordings that represent the blending of jazz with Latin, Iberian-American, Brazilian, and Argentinian tango music.
- HEART OF BRAZIL
Eddie Daniels - BACK TO THE SUNSET
Dafnis Prieto Big Band - WEST SIDE STORY REIMAGINED
Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band - CINQUE
Elio Villafranca - YO SOY LA TRADICIÓN
Miguel Zenón Featuring Spektral Quartet
Gospel /Contemporary Christian Music
36. Best Gospel Performance/Song
This award is given to the artist(s) and songwriter(s) (for new compositions) for the best traditional Christian, roots gospel or contemporary gospel single or track.
- YOU WILL WIN
Jekalyn Carr; Allen Carr & Jekalyn Carr, songwriters - WON’T HE DO IT
Koryn Hawthorne - NEVER ALONE
Tori Kelly Featuring Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin & Victoria Kelly, songwriters - CYCLES
Jonathan McReynolds Featuring DOE; Jonathan McReynolds & Will Reagan, songwriters - A GREAT WORK
Brian Courtney Wilson; Aaron W. Lindsey, Alvin Richardson & Brian Courtney Wilson, songwriters
37. Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
This award is given to the artist(s) and songwriter(s) (for new compositions) for the best contemporary Christian pop, Christian rap/hip-hop, or Christian rock single or track.
- RECKLESS LOVE
Cory Asbury; Cory Asbury, Caleb Culver & Ran Jackson, songwriters - YOU SAY
Lauren Daigle; Lauren Daigle, Jason Ingram & Paul Mabury, songwriters - JOY.
for KING & COUNTRY; Ben Glover, Matt Hales, Stephen Blake Kanicka, Seth Mosley, Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone & Tedd Tjornhom, songwriters - GRACE GOT YOU
MercyMe Featuring John Reuben; David Garcia, Ben Glover, MercyMe, Solomon Olds & John Reuben, songwriters - KNOWN
Tauren Wells; Ethan Hulse, Jordan Sapp & Tauren Wells, songwriters
38. Best Gospel Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, traditional or contemporary/R&B gospel music recordings.
- ONE NATION UNDER GOD
Jekalyn Carr - HIDING PLACE
Tori Kelly - MAKE ROOM
Jonathan McReynolds - THE OTHER SIDE
The Walls Group - A GREAT WORK
Brian Courtney Wilson
39. Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, contemporary Christian music, including pop, rap/hip hop, or rock recordings.
- LOOK UP CHILD
Lauren Daigle - HALLELUJAH HERE BELOW
Elevation Worship - LIVING WITH A FIRE
Jesus Culture - SURROUNDED
Michael W. Smith - SURVIVOR: LIVE FROM HARDING PRISON
Zach Williams
40. Best Roots Gospel Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, traditional/roots gospel music, including country, Southern gospel, bluegrass, and Americana recordings.
- UNEXPECTED
Jason Crabb - CLEAR SKIES
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound - FAVORITES: REVISITED BY REQUEST
The Isaacs - STILL STANDING
The Martins - LOVE LOVE LOVE
Gordon Mote
Latin
41. Best Latin Pop Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new Latin pop recordings.
- PROMETO
Pablo Alboran - SINCERA
Claudia Brant - MUSAS (UN HOMENAJE AL FOLCLORE LATINOAMERICANO EN MANOS DE LOS MACORINOS), VOL. 2
Natalia Lafourcade - 2:00 AM
Raquel Sofía - VIVES
Carlos Vives
42. Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new Latin rock, urban or alternative recordings.
- CLAROSCURA
Aterciopelados - COASTCITY
COASTCITY - ENCANTO TROPICAL
Monsieur Periné - GOURMET
Orishas - AZTLÁN
Zoé
43. Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new regional Mexican (banda, norteño, corridos, gruperos, mariachi, ranchera and Tejano) recordings.
- PRIMERO SOY MEXICANA
Angela Aguilar - MITAD Y MITAD
Calibre 50 - TOTALMENTE JUAN GABRIEL VOL. II
Aida Cuevas - CRUZANDO BORDERS
Los Texmaniacs - LEYENDAS DE MI PUEBLO
Mariachi Sol De Mexico De Jose Hernandez - ¡MÉXICO POR SIEMPRE!
Luis Miguel
44. Best Tropical Latin Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new tropical Latin recordings.
- PA’ MI GENTE
Charlie Aponte - LEGADO
Formell Y Los Van Van - ORQUESTA AKOKÁN
Orquesta Akokán - PONLE ACTITUD
Felipe Peláez - ANNIVERSARY
Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Who do you think will win?
For the full nominees list visit www.grammy.com
The post 61st GRAMMY Awards: Nominees list appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>The post Winter Spotlight – food, films, books appeared first on RG Magazines.
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Ethiopian Night at Utopia Restaurant
17 Front Street, Hamilton
Once a month, Sosina Mekonnen opens her doors to those looking for a taste of something different – in this case a full Ethiopian buffet. The spices, music, and even attire come straight from Ethiopia. Experience this on an intimate balcony, with romantic lighting and overlooking the Hamilton Harbour.
WATCH
They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead
Documentary
For film buffs, They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead tells the story of director Orson Welles (Citizen Kane, 1941) at the end of his career – just an aging artist in exile whose luck had run out. What was meant to be his final film, remained unfinished before he died, and stayed locked in a vault for four decades. Comprised of never-before-seen footage from Welles and original interviews with cast and crew, the documentary, like Orson’s work, is a dense story of betrayal made up of many fragments of high and low culture.
READ
So Many Islands: Stories from the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Pacific
Edited by Nicholas Laughlin
Book review by Robyn Bardgett
5 out of 5 stars
Peekash Press
This anthology of stories, essays and poems from writers from 17 disparate islands of the Commonwealth, makes it clear there’s more than being surrounded by the sea that connects us; our culture and our people are as far removed as some of the locales featured but there is a common thread: the way we make sense of the world even though we may be from some of the smallest nations. “So Many Islands: Stories from the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indian and Pacific Oceans” features stories that prove that there is so much more below the surface of the pretty veneer of a tourist’s brochure or a Disney movie. The writers collected here, including Bermuda’s own Angela Barry, bring to the page island life in all of its messy glory. They speak to some of the brutal colonialist history that many islanders have suffered as well as the personal demons that impact the lives we lead and the relationships we have with the past – whether it be personal traumas or connecting with our ancestors.
The stories and poems in this collection weave in the historical impacts of war, colonialism, racism, and isolation that have carved out some of the most fascinating cultures in the world.
Jamaican-born Marlon James, the Man Booker Prize winning author of “A History of Seven Killings”, says it brilliantly in his introduction to the book.
“And yet, here is one more thing about island people: we have a way of taking influences, even powerful ones, and assimilating them even as they try to assimilate us. We remix them, recontexualize them, push them to the background or layer them on top of verse.”
All islanders – either born on an island or lucky to live on one – should read this book. Savour every word and appreciate just how unique and wonderful it is to call an island home.
“So Many Islands” is $18.00 and can be purchased at the Bermuda Bookstore.
Here are some more exciting book suggestions from the booksellers at the Bermuda Bookstore.
While not the book every fan of “Game of Thrones” had hoped for, George R R Martin has written a history of the Targaryens in “Fire and Blood”. It might not be the next book in the series, but fans will take anything they can get at the moment.
Literary wizard Haruki Murakami has another epic novel full of mind-bending ideas. “Killing Commendatore”, like many of his novels, will push readers’ imaginations.
For those looking for a good ripped-from-the-headlines story, Jodi Picoult is back with “A Spark of Life” – a powerful and provocative novel that is sure to spark debate. Perfect for the next book club pick.
Michelle Obama is one of the most inspiring people in recent memory. Her memoir, “Becoming”, is an intimate look at her early life all the way through to her time as FLOTUS. It’s a soothing balm to the current US presidential situation.
Perfectly timed for new beginnings as the year ends, Deepak Chopra and Rudolph E. Tanzi’s “The Healing Self: A Revolutionary New Plan to Supercharge Your Immunity and Stay Well for Life” is a good read during the month of excess with ways to creating a holistic and transformative health plan for life.
The post Winter Spotlight – food, films, books appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>The post Bermuda Holiday Entertainment Guide 2018 appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>Bermuda National Trust Christmas Walkabout
Town of St. George’s & East End
December 7 | 6:30 – 9 PM
Biennial Bermuda Christmas Boat Parade
City of Hamilton & Central
December 8 | 6:30 PM
Lido Complex Christmas Market
Lido Complex, Elbow Beach
December 9 | 12 PM – 9 PM
Carter House Family Christmas
St. David’s Island
December 10 | 4 – 7 PM
Rosé in the Winter by Uncorked
Invitation only for location
December 15 | 7 – 10 PM
Dress code: Shades of pink, neutrals and metallic.
Wine Down Wednesday Holiday Edition
Taste 141, Hamilton
December 19 | 5 PM – 9 PM
Dress code: Christmas/ugly sweaters encouraged
Jasmine Rosé Holiday Afternoon Tea
Southampton Princess, Southampton
December 22 | 3 PM
Christmas Candlelight Service
St. Peter’s Church, St. George’s
December 24 | 9 PM
Christmas on Elbow Beach
Elbow Beach, South Road, Paget
December 25 | All day
Christmas Brunch at the Loren
Tucker’s Town, Bermuda
Tuesday, December 25 | 11am-4pm
Boundary Boxing Day Christmas Leftover Sandwich
Southampton Princess, Southampton
December 26 | 5 PM – 12 AM
SYZYGY Festival (Soca and Reggae)
The Shed, Sandy’s
December 29 | 6 PM
Boundary’s New Year’s Eve Mexican Fiesta
Southampton Princess, Southampton
December 31 | 9 PM – 1 AM
The post Bermuda Holiday Entertainment Guide 2018 appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>The post A catch up with Mishka appeared first on RG Magazines.
]]>His biggest inspiration? It stems from his island roots of course – sweet reggae music.
“I got my start at KEMH like most Bermudians — as far as music, I signed a deal in 1988 at Creation Records”, he said. “At the time, I was living in Nevis, St. Kitts and my sister [singer, Heather Nova] brought a friend on holiday. He was the head of this big record label and wanted to sign me.”
From there Mishka lived in England for over a year and described the experience as being a “huge culture shock”.
“The music industry is a world unto itself, and it wasn’t a friendly world. My experience was quite cutthroat, and the job is demanding. I was happy to rehearse and record, but the social aspect was a struggle.”
“Getting the opportunity to play for people and to become a performer was like a drug. Until it, all fell apart and I had to start from scratch, making my way with different labels and managers.”
Now living in Maui, Hawaii, the industry hardships prompted him to become an independent artist. He is also producing his own music, which is a huge stretch from his humble beginnings as a singer, songwriter playing acoustic guitar.
His earlier work, led by the drum and bass, incorporates some of the musical elements of rhythm and blues, and mento, and any pains can be heard through his soulful lyrics.“I started off simple, made my way up to big production, and now I’m scaling back, with just vocals and lyrical based content in this new album. I’m trying to get it across in a very simple form.”
The reggae artist explained that being signed is challenging, but it also meant that you have more help working with other people, are able to produce much more music, and your projects are marketed correctly — which is why many sign to big labels.
“However, there is a catch-22. You have little to no creative control, and your music is owned by the company. Independence also has its pros and cons. At the moment, I’m surviving and liking not being told what to do.”
In November, Mishka embarked on his second tour of the year. The first half, starting in Florida, featured a three-piece band, while the second half was more of an intimate setting — a duo with a percussionist.
His new album is set to be released mid-2019, and he is looking forward to the possibility of performing at a local show next summer.
“Until then I just want to say, love to all my Bermy people, Bermuda raised me to a large degree, and I have endless love for Bermuda and Bermudian people.”
To keep up with Mishka visit his website mishka.com or follow him on Instagram and Twitter @mishkamusic.
The post A catch up with Mishka appeared first on RG Magazines.
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