Summertime song raises Tempo of Bermudian music

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23: Teenage rapper Jelani Simmons has made it to an international television network at the age of 15.

Mr Simmons’ summertime song Blue Skies has been picked up by Tempo, the Caribbean network originally launched by MTV.

Featuring Bermuda’s blue skies and beaches, the video was filmed at Hamilton Harbour, Ferry Reach, Warwick Long Bay and Horseshoe Bay in one weekend.

Mr Simmons is a Bermudian hip-hop artist who has performed at many venues around the island.

He said the inspiration for Blue Skies came from “the whole summertime vibe in Bermuda”.

Donald ‘Detrimental’ Robinson and Shane ‘Bermuda’ Woodley produced the video.

Mr Woodley has worked as a recording engineer in New York City for artists such as Jay-Z and set up his own label earlier this year.

Near Future Records aims to produce Bermudian artists and signed Mr Simmons in February.

Mr Woodley said: “Donald produced the song (Blue Skies) and I recorded and mixed it, and directed the video.

“The concept of the song is that it’s summertime. I also edited the video with Detrimental. It took about 40 hours.

“I had this whole concept for the song which I wanted.

“I wanted it to be like a hybrid between reggae and rap.

“Something that could be played on all platforms on the island.

“I was trying to get Irie, Hott and Power 95 to play it.”

Diversify

He added the song is now on rotation on all three radio stations.

Mr Woodley added Mr Robinson has a “relationship” with Tempo which has seen three or four of his videos previously aired on the network.

Tempo aims to bring together the diverse African, English, Spanish, Dutch and French cultures of the Caribbean, and reaches millions via cable and Internet.

Mr Woodley said there was a quick response to Blue Skies.

“It’s a matter of sending the video to them and seeing if they like it,” he said. “It doesn’t take that long, probably a week to hear back.”

Mr Simmons said he was “excited” to hear his video made the cut.

“I was proud, my family was excited and proud,” he said.

His goal is to become an international rapper.

“I want to make it to the worldwide scene and make it out of Bermuda, to make good music,” he said.

“My motivation is making it to the top, reaching my dreams.”

In 10 years time, this would be winning “a couple of Grammys, chillin’ in a mansion”.

Mr Simmons’ musical inspirations are Jay-Z, J Cole and Kanye West.

“I write about life, what’s going on at the moment, however I’m feeling”, he said.

He describes his musical style as “smooth hip-hop”.

“But I try not to be stuck on one style,” he said.

“I try to diversify myself.

“It makes me feel like almost above the influence to find a way to be cool with everyone who’s into different things but finding a way out of it with hip-hop.

“In Bermuda, I think there’s a need for good music. They don’t take it serious. It’s just the laid back environment that Bermudians have.”

Mr Simmons’ advice to up-and-coming artists is simple.