NXTETG Embraces Experimentalism with debut Single “BEY!”
Featuring guest vocal performance by GEOVANNI.
Bahamian DJ, producer, and filmmaker Nate Tha’ Great (stylized as NXTETG) has teamed up with several Bahamian creatives to release his debut single “BEY!” The song features an electrifying vocal performance by GEOVANNI, a Bahamian artist and producer, and explores the fusion of Bahamian rake n’ scrape and junkanoo with electronic and hip-hop. When reflecting back on the creative process, the 23-year old multi-hyphenate says this:
BEY! is very much an experimentation of culture that was created entirely on faith. I recorded Geo in my living room, which was also where he wrote most of the song in less than 20 minutes! The music video was filmed entirely on a budget with a pocket camera, one lens, and a pocket LED light and was graced with assistance and on-screen presence by the most kind-hearted, talented dancers, crew, and actors.
Geo and I wanted to break out of the box and do something that we hope would inspire more Bahamians to embrace experimentalism, be bold and take risks with artistic expression while reassuring those facing creative restraint that it is possible to bring your ideas to life, even when closed doors won’t open. — NXTETG
The official music video –– filmed and directed by the DJ/Producer himself ––was released on December 26, 2021, Boxing Day, a Bahamian holiday that traditionally incorporated a Junkanoo parade but has since come to a halt since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. “We coming like it’s Boxing Day!”, a captivating line in the hook of the song, makes reference to the relevantly cultural holiday while reminding the world of Bahamians enthusiastic drive for success.
Bahamian Junkanoo legend John “Chippie” Chipman, along with some of the new generation of Bahamian icons Jazz Chisholm, Jonquel Jones, and Chantel O’Brian was also paid homage to in the video. Watch the full video by clicking on the play icon below.
“I was blessed to work with some of the kindest and most supportive Bahamian creatives like Reagan Kemp who photographed the cover of the song as well as 2019 Miss Bahamas Universe Tarea Sturrup who willingly took on the role of producer and stylist,” Nate said. “Those are just some of the many talented and helpful people I was able to collaborate with.
When asked about the restrictions faced since returning home to The Bahamas from Atlanta Georgia, Nate responded saying “It has always been difficult being creative in The Bahamas and the pandemic has only made it even harder. One of the challenges Bahamian creatives still face is access to funding and sufficient resources to create projects as well as community-oriented collaboration spaces.
He concludes by expressing “collaboration is the foundation that propels all communities. In order for our creative community to propel globally, we must first be willing to invest in each other as much as we are willing to invest in ourselves.”
