He’s the guy who penned the sultry, sexy and smooth words to the hit R&B ballad “Faded,” that singer Keeya brought to life with her vocals.
Now, Rashad Leamount is a finalist in this year’s International Songwriting Competition (ISC) for penning the song about his very own personal heartbreak.
Rashad tells eLIFE242 that the ISC is one of the most prestigious songwriting competitions around that attracts major talent, a star studded judging panel and dope talent.
“I heard about ISC from this blog I follow and decided to look into it,” he says. “I was immediately impressed by how big the prize package was, the fact that the judging panel was made up of really well respected musicians and industry executives, and also that (past) winners (Kehlani, The Band Perry, Kimbra) actually went on to do proper things in music. I entered for the first time in 2011 and received an honorable mention. I’ve been watching the competition in the years I didn’t compete and was really just waiting for the right moment. Thankfully the wait paid off.”
Ever since it dropped in 2016, “Faded” has been a banger on stages across The Bahamas, adding a different and new feel to what Bahamian music is. Rashad says he wrote the song back in 2015 and recorded an unreleased version.
“Faded is more like a journal entry than a song,” he adds. “It’s my real life. Real emotions of what I was going through based on a messed up relationship.
I’m so thankful she (KEEYA) brought the energy she did to Faded. It’s a writer’s dream to have a singer skilfully execute the vision. And she did that!”
Well in just a few days we’ll see if this personal story strikes a chord with the judges.
The songs lyrics will be carefully examined by a panel of celebrity judges and music execs including Ziggy Marley, Lorde, Sara Evans, President of Elektra Records Gregg Nadel and Chairman of Sony Music Afo Verde.
“I’d like for them to hear the skill in the lyrics for “Faded,” the way the melody was produced and think, ‘Wow! There’s this guy from a small country who is writing and developing on a level that’s comparable to what we’re seeing in LA, New York, London.’ I want them to begin to view The Bahamas as a viable pool of talent.
“Coming to the finals is validation for me. I am capable and skilled to compete beyond the boundaries of my home. To me it’s hope. Hope for the growth and a future in music being possible. As a finalist I represent less than two per cent of the 16,000 songs entered this year. That’s huge to me!”
And Rashad thinks this could be an awesome venture for The Bahamas, and by extension Bahamian creatives.
“So often we focus on bringing people to our islands to experience our warmth,” he says. “As a musician, songwriter, fashion influencer, or lifestyle personality, there is a unique opportunity to export that warmth; to have Bahamians represent us outside of The Bahamas for the benefit of The Bahamas. One of the writers I’m competing with had her debut performance in Jimmy Fallon recently, JIMMY FALLON!! That could have very well been myself, (or KEEYA) given the experience and exposure.”
The 2018 ISC winners will be chosen in the coming days and Rashad says he’s keeping his fingers crossed he comes out with the “W.”
“I’m writing constantly; so my catalog is probably more than 200 songs at this point. I think what’s important for me is to decide which stories I want to tell myself (because I’m still an artist), and which ones I am willing to let someone else have a part in. I am serious about creating a proper industry here. Writers and singers being able to have trade offs that benefit both people while building our collective notoriety.
“I just want to inspire creatives out there to begin investing in their talent: We’ve got to continue to build on these moments of glorify and extend the life of every opportunity. Next year I wanna see other writers in the competition. I want to see us competing out there with the best there is. And dominating.”
CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR “FADED” IN THE PEOPLE’S VOICE COMPETITION!
P.S. IT’S IN THE R&B/HIP-HOP CATEGORY!
