'I want to make you laugh and cry'

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22: He’s known for his smooth R&B voice and lyrics that could capture any heart.

And this weekend, he will be performing in Bermuda.

Superstar Brian McKnight will take the stage at the Fairmont Southampton on Saturday night.

The event is a fundraiser for the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity’s Kappa Classic, largest youth football tournament and the Kappa Education Fund.

With songs such as Anytime and Back at One, Saturday night’s show is sure to be an evening filled with amazing music.

The 42-year-old spoke to the Bermuda Sun and expressed his excitement at coming back to the island.

“I’m very excited.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been, probably like 10 years ago.

“And how often do you get to play in a place that is like paradise?”

McKnight continued: “I haven’t been doing many band shows lately so I will be able to spend some time and play some music and have a great time.”

Asked how he ended up with a gig in Bermuda after so long, the singer said: “Well, this is the way it works, they call and see if I’m available and you name the price and then I come and play.

“I go play pretty much anywhere if people want to hear me.

“If there’s someone who wants to hear me, I play there and it makes it better if I can help people out.”

As for why Bermudians should come to see him, McKnight said: “Everybody wants to have that feeling.

“If you have somebody you can bring them.

“If you don’t, I’ll be there for you.

“I want to make you laugh, cry and make you feel good about love and yourself.”

McKnight said he doesn’t have a key audience and can’t figure out what it would be.

“One night, it’s an audience full of white people and then another night it’s all black people and then one night it’s mixed.

“When I went to the Philippines, it was all Filipinos.

“It’s people who want to hear real music.”

As for what he has planned for Bermuda, the father-of-three said: “I never do anything in the studio that I can’t do live.

“What I hear is that the concerts are as good or better than the records.

“I’m going to give you everything I’ve got.”

He continued: “I don’t know what to expect.

“I don’t force my audience to listen to what they don’t want to.

“I love to play my songs and I will continue to play those songs.”

McKnight just wrapped up a 125-show tour and launched a record label with his sons.

Trif3cta Records was launched on Valentine’s Day with his sons BJ and Niko with their song Marry Your Daughter.

“We’re doing the independent thing, cutting out the middle man”, he said.

McKnight will arrive into Bermuda on Saturday and stay for a couple days.

“I’m just really looking forward to coming back”, he added.

Organiser Anthony Hunter said: “The real purpose and thrust behind this event is to fund the Kappa Classic.

“We host about 900 kids from Somerset to St George’s and we’ve increased the age to 14 this year.”

Mr Hunter said the tournament will be held from March 23 to March 25.

Tickets for Saturday night’s concert are $100 and can be purchased at Secrets, El Shaddai Florist and 27 Century.

The show will have theatre-style seating in the Poinciana Ballroom.

Mr Hunter said there will be three or four bars where attendees can buy drinks.

Local talent includes the Wall Street Band, Stevie Darrell, Kassandra Gabrielle and Steve Easton.

In addition to the show, room rates are available at the Fairmont Southampton for $149 a night plus tax.

Doors open at 8pm and the show starts at 9pm.