Bermuda Music Festival 2008: Alicia Keys Shimmers & Shines In the Face Of Media Relations Mayhem

By Karu F. Daniels, BlackVoices.com

When Alicia Keys performed her hit song, 'You Don't Know My Name,' last night at the closing of the "2008 Bermuda Music Festival," it sounded as if the heavens opened up and the angels were singing.

I had no idea that the title of the song would be a double entendre for how the media corps, who were invited to cover the festival, were treated. But that comes later in this piece.

Keys' beautiful singing was a welcomed reprieve for a four-day event that featured some of the biggest acts in music (namely Beyonce Knowles and UB40), who had to play second fiddle to torrential rainstorms on the idyllic Atlantic Ocean island.

Luckily for the 'If I Ain't Got You' singer, the sky was in sync with her smooth and harmonious song styling.

Dressed in some type of shimmery, avant garde get-up, the tanned and talented beauty performed a 90 minute-plus set at the National Sports Centre to a capacity crowd that seemed to hang onto her every word.

"I love being in this city," the 11-time Grammy Award winner told the audience shortly after hitting the stage at 11 p.m. From the moment she grabbed the microphone, the pony-tailed princess sang hit after hit – and even some lesser known songs – to rapturous applause.

Black Music Notes September 3

9/4/08: Lil' Wayne / Michael Phelps
Fresh off his historic performance at this summer's Beijing Olympic Games, gold medal winning swimmer Michael Phelps is set to host the season premiere of 'Saturday Night Live' on September 13. The 34th season of the long-running sketch comedy series will not only be laced with gold but also platinum. Joining Phelps for the coveted opener will be none other than 2008's best-selling rapper Lil Wayne, who will serve as the show's musical guest.

9/4/08: Deitrick Haddon
Gospel singer-songwriter Deitrick Haddon released his latest Zomba Gospel release this week, entitled 'Revealed.' The project features production from some of the best producers in the industry including Dre & Vidal, Warryn Campbell, Tim & Bob, and Percy Bady. The set has already yielded one of the hottest R&B/Gospel anthems of 2008 in 'Love Him Like I Do' featuring Ruben Studdard and Mary Mary. 'Revealed' also contains 'The Word,' 'I'm Alive,' 'Reveal My Heart,' and Deitrick's personal story of triumph on 'Soul Survivor.' With the album being so diverse Haddon believes Gospel music can be "just as big as rock and fill stadiums around the world." "Our music has to reach beyond our religious beliefs to connect on a greater level. I wanted to speak to everybody."

9/4/08: Mavis Staple
Legendary soul-gospel singer Mavis Staple is looking forward to participating in this year's election. Not only is she expected to vote on November 4, but she will also release her 12th solo album 'Mavis Staples Live: Hope At The Hideout.' The political driven project is filled with freedom / protest songs inspired by the current presidential race. In addition, the Chicago native has something in common with Democratic nominee Barack Obama, who attended the same church as Staple. The 13-track opus features the new single 'We Shall Not Be Moved.'

9/4/08: Rick Ross / Trina / Trick Daddy
Slip-N-Slide Records, the #1 independent label in South Florida, is looking to expand their imprint into different genres such as Pop, R&B, and Rock with open casting calls. The auditions will take place throughout the country and will be apart of the labels 'The Next Big Super Star' talent showcase which is expected to air as a TV special in the future. So far the label has released critically acclaimed albums from the likes of Trick Daddy, Trina, Rick Ross, and Plies. Having such a talented roster will usher in 'Slip-N-Slide Greatest Hits' compilation set to hit stores at the top of 2009. "We will continue to spread our wings by forming sub-labels under Slip-N-Slide Records and offer support to artists who would like to start their own record labels," CEO Ted Lucas said.

9/4/08: LL Cool J / Richie Sambora
With his current single 'Baby' from the forthcoming album 'Exit 13' in heavy rotation throughout media outlets, LL Cool J is planning to add an edgier twist to the track. The man ladies call Cool James has hooked up with none other than Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora for a rock-edge remix. "We creatively put our heads together," LL explained. "I told him I wanted that talk box. 'Slippery When Wet' by Bon Jovi's is one of my favorite albums. I thought the talk box on a couple of the songs was incredible, 'Livin' on a Prayer' especially. So, I got Richie to do it on the 'Baby' remix. It sounds crazy. Then he did some vocals, and he did some guitar solos ... so it's good." The track is currently available through iTunes. 'Exit 13' hit stores September 9.

9/4/08: Yolanda Adams
"The First Annual Save Africa's Children Music Festival" is sure to debut with a bang! Not only are several celebrity presenters tapped to appear at the all-star extravaganza, various award-winning recording artist will take the stage. Yolanda Adams, Pieces of a Dream , Kirk Whalum + 3 Generations of Whalums, Doc Powell are among the many artist taking part in the September 26 event at Los Angeles' West Angeles Cathedral. All proceeds will benefit orphan children in Africa.

9/4/08: The Game / Young Buck
Former G-Unit members The Game and Young Buck have finally let bygones be bygones. The two MCs officially put their differences beside themselves and reunited on stage recently at Game's New York City album release party. Buck appeared on stage handing the California native a diamond encrusted watch. Throughout the entire celebration the two took various verbal shots at their former boss 50 Cent. And the reunion doesn't stop there. Game and Young Buck are also schedule to perform at this year's Tennessee Music Conference and Hip-Hop Awards taking place September 6.

9/4/08: Diamond
Following her previous chart topping success with Crime Mob, who released the hit singles 'Knuck If You Buck" and the certified gold single 'Rock Yo Hips,' female MC Diamond recently signed a solo deal with Warner Bros. Records Inc. The multilayer deal will consist of the label. tying in various endorsements, which include TV and film opportunities leading up to her debut solo album expected to drop in 2009. "I'm so excited about my new solo deal with Warner- it's been a long time coming," she said. "It's important for me to give my fans the Diamond they already know, but to also give them something new from me! I hope to work with a few of my favorite people in the industry, from Timbaland to T-Pain on my new album, so there's definitely going to be a few surprises in store!"

9/4/08: DMX
Despite facing all his legal woes, DMX (born Earl Simmons) still seems to have his mind on his money. The rapper is currently shopping around a series based on his recent court ordeals. The show tentatively titled, 'DMX: This Life of Mine' will feature the MC going through the stages of avoiding prison time for a number of his charges including animal cruelty charges, theft, and possession of drug paraphernalia to name a few. "In many ways, my life has been an open book," DMX (born Earl Simmons) told Allhiphop.com. "[But] I haven't always been the one writing the story. With this show; however, people will get to see and hear with their own eyes and ears what really goes on in my life and I think they'll come to understand me a little bit better with each episode."

9/4/08: Wyclef Jean / Venus Williams
One of today's best marketing schemes seems to be pairing up a popular musician with a popular athlete. Enter Grammy Award-winning musician/producer Wyclef Jean, who has written and recorded a new song titled, 'Venus (I'm Ready),' inspired by tennis champion Venus Williams. The song is expected to be used as Williams' theme song during the 2008 US Open tennis tournament which ends September 7. In addition to the newly produced song, the two paired up for an upcoming episode for the Sundance Channel television series 'Iconoclasts.' "I was so happy to meet Wyclef and work with him on our 'Iconoclasts' episode but not even in my wildest imagination, did I expect that such a beautiful song would be one of the outcomes from meeting Wyclef," the Olympic gold medalist said. "He is an amazing human being and it is truly an honor for me to be recognized in such a wonderful way by such a gifted musician and exceptional person." The Venus Williams, Wyclef Jean episode of 'Iconoclasts' is scheduled to premiere November 13 at 10PM ET on the Sundance Channel.

From the sassy 'Go Ahead' to the more soulful 'You Don't Know My Name' and 'Teenage Love Affair,' the Manhattan born diva-in-the-making worked the stage like a true pro. She brought the heat up with the upbeat 'Heartburn' and showcased her Afro-Cuban influence on the song, 'Karma.'

Keys' striking version of Prince's 'How Come You Don't Call Me Anymore?' seemed to have the masses at a standstill, while her current anthem, 'Superwoman,' warmed hearts when she dedicated it to the audience.

Onstage, Keys and her beautiful sound-scape represented what can be seen and heard in a wonderful dream. Behind the scenes, however, it was another story -- more like a nightmare.

I have a saying that I always tell fellow colleagues when covering events such as island festivals and the like. It is: "I don't come to a third world country to be treated like a second class citizen!"

And as to be expected when dealing with unscrupulous, inexperienced and dishonest media representatives, drama always ensues.

I find it ironic that Bermuda's slogan is "Feel The Love," specifically when it seems that all the elements seemed to have worked against that notion.

But that's another talk show topic; let me keep this about Miss Keys.

For some reason or another; before show-time there seemed to be a dark cloud looming over the press tent. Again, it was not the rain clouds. Members of the media were handed out strict guidelines about how and when (and how not) to photograph the internationally acclaimed superstar. Some were even ordered to sign release forms and told that if they didn't have a signed release form with their ticket and credential, they wouldn't be allowed into the stadium (read: stadium).

To add insult to injury, press (who were served cold cut sandwiches and no water in a tent with no electricity two nights prior) were warned by a crafty flack, before the 'Falling' singer hit the stage, that they better choose their positions – because if they wander about in front of the stage, they will be ejected from the stadium (read: stadium) by security.

You would've thunk that these heightened measures would be reserved for politically-charged dignitaries (or maybe for a black man, or white woman running in a historical United States presidential election). No, this was on a beautiful, tropical island with the slogan "Feel The Love" for a 90-minute show by a beautiful artist.

I dismissed the hypersensitive media relations antics as just some ego-crazed, low level staffers pulling rank on folks because they can. That's what I love about publicists. But I digress.

I would've never thought that I would bear witness to an actual photographer (sanctioned and approved) getting roughed up by security guards and tossed out of the stadium (read: stadium) while Keys shimmered and shined on the stage.

What was said photographer's offense?

He moved from the position he was in to get a better shot of Keys (behind the barricaded area reserved for media).

At the center of all of the conflict and drama – and the one seeming to call the shots – was an alleged spokesperson for Keys; a rotund and very obnoxious production staffer named Carrie Sellers, who admitted to a colleague that she just started working for the camp eight months ago.

This woman, not known to any of the entertainment journalists there, bull-dozed her way through the crowd to make sure the offending photographer was off the premises (read: stadium).

Now doesn't that seem like a whole lot of nothing?

You would think that these people are guarding the cure for cancer or AIDS.

Keys – a protégée of the media savvy music titan Clive Davis – has always been a darling to the media. Even her longtime business manager Jeff Robinson has always been accommodating, too. Watching Sellers in action represents something very bad for their camp.

You would think that since she commanded a reported $750,000 to perform, more friendlier provisions would've been made. But no such luck.

A media rep for the island, who shall remain nameless (because he says he's a private citizen), took a more diplomatic approach to the dirty publicity deeds, but mandated that it wasn't his decision but the talent's.

The treatment (or mistreatment) of the media on the final night of the festival compounds a growing controversy for the Bermuda Department of Tourism, which has been under fire in the past week for "hiding the truth about the state of the tourism industry."

In a eyebrow raising move, opposition leader Kim Swan called out the island's Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown (pictured right with a sunglasses-clad Keys), who also moonlights as Tourism Minister.

In an Op-Ed piece titled "It's Time for a New Tourism Minister," which ran in the island's newspaper of record, 'The Royal Gazette,' Swan proposed Brown's resignation "so that Government can bring better focus to the challenges facing our number two industry."

"Official statistics indicated that 2008 is on track to match the period from 2001 to 2005, the worst performing years since ... the 1960s," he wrote.

That's a scandal.

Now if Bermudian tax-payers can spend three quarter of a million dollars on an artist who has her camp treat media like this, what is that to say about where their priorities are?

If working members of the press get this type of treatment, what about regular civilians who just want to enjoy the sights and sounds of the beauteous destination.

Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

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