CULTINTERVIEW             Willis and Illest: "Jamaican" reggae with style in the Bahamas
Autor: Daniela Baumgartner Andrade | Publicado: 2013-09-19T12:51:00-07:00




Willis and Mandisa: voices together since the beginning, in 2008


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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The
 most popular band in Nassau (Bahamas) has nothing to do with 
the Caribbean folklore Junkanoo. A mix of soul, jazz and funk with the original 
sound of Jamaican reggae influence is what Willis and Illest presents 
in his lyrics based on love, union and freedom of spirit. In an industry
 where reggae is often discriminated, the Bahamian band emerges with 
strength, showing that it is worthwhile to make music from the heart and confirming that the power of his musical style has everything to thrive to the four 
corners of the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Initiated in 2008, the band started when 
singer Willis, who has previously enjoyed composing and playing for 
himself, joined with some friends to make music. From the initial 
meeting till today the band is formed by singer Mandisa - supplementing the 
band's style with her booming voice - as well as some other musicians, 
some scholars of music, some adherents to different styles. Saxophone,
 organ, Spanish guitar, keyboards, among other instruments give Willlis
 and Illest an eclectic tone, resulting in harmonic reggae and very 
unique to listen to. And with this sintony the group seems to attract those who 
like and even those who are not "a big fan" of reggae.
&nbsp; 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Filling
 up the venues where they play, the vocalist and band manager Willis 
changed the subject several times, and with a modest smile, resisted 
considering that Willis and Illest is the band of the moment in Nassau.
 In a exclusive interview to Mixculti, the singer revealed his 
inspirations - Bob Marley and the Rastafarian movement - and reminded 
that, despite the influence of Jamaica, the most Bahamian value of the
 band is the content of his lyrics. "Our message is real love, the 
story and the truth. Our music brings motivation to go back to being 
united people", he recalled.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The band, whose first and only 
album includes the hit&nbsp;"Hey" - is already working on his second album,
 to be released in " singles " (as individual songs to be bought in the 
media ) and will address patriotic and social issues. Except the 
difficulties of the music industry,&nbsp; "the problem at the moment is not 
being recognized as Bahamian reggae", says Wiilis Knowles. "We know the 
problems as part of the industry of the consumers, but we will not give up to 
continue making music from the heart and not music only to sell."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; While his goal of traveling the world is not yet achieved, the band - who has already played on 
American grounds and aim to be in Europe next summer - can celebrate his conquests. One of them, and the most recent, the publication 
of the videoclip on MTV "Lion in the jungle", filmed in the famous Bay 
Street in Nassau. And the work has just started, says Willis. "Improve 
performance, meet other artists and explore creativity are things 
that we really want to accomplish ," said the singer, who by the way 
would love one day to perform in Brazil.


To read the article in Portuguese click here



Click below to watch the clips:



Hey



Lion in the jungle



More articles in English in Mixculti:
http://mixculti.blogspot.com/2013/09/end-of-maternity-leave.html

http://mixculti.blogspot.com/2012/10/mixreport-brazil-and-bahamas-closer.html

http://mixculti.blogspot.com/2012/08/mixtrip-hope-town-must-see-in-bahamas.html 

http://mixculti.blogspot.com/2012/07/mixopinion-god-bless-americans.html