What’s for breakfast? : BEEF!
I woke up to a beautiful and sunny Saturday morning, logged into Facebook as I usually do and what did I see? : A very interesting (to say the least) status posted by “242 People Clothing” designer and CEO Ranard Eric. His status read, “Explain this to me. How could you be a Bahamian Artists complaining that the locals don’t support your music yet you trying to sing with an American or Jamaican accent and you wearing American or Jamaican clothing brands all through ya music videos? Dont diss OUR Bahamas and expect us to support ya to the fullest! Ya either rep da Bahamas all day erry day or get ya nationality changed by the passport office! Bam!”
Naturally, this status ruffled a few feathers as music industry member in The Bahamas Michael Riddim wasted no time in giving Mr. Eric a very public tongue lashing underneath Ranard’s status, saying, “ Aint this some BS talks if I ever read some….RAPP QUELLE don’t wear ya clothes so he dissing…..? BRING SOME CLOTHES TO THE SET AND THEN YOU WILL GET YA PROPS…BUT THIS IS WHY I CANT SUPPORT FAKENESS MAN…everyone trying to sell shit…if u said hey can yall wear my merchandise in the video, we probably would have…THAT IS ALL.”
All I can say is: WHOA. Nothing like a juicy scandal and a good old beef on a random Saturday morning *rolls eyes*
With Riddim’s comments it seems as though this thing runs a little deeper, but anyhow, the way I see it Ranard’s comments were a bit ridiculous and perhaps petty. It seems like an obvious attempt to garner attention for his clothing line and if you want Bahamian artist to represent your clothing line then, just ask, No? However, I think his intent might have been to express patriotism and to encourage Bahamian artists to rep their home town to the fullest, which is very understandable. However, those comments about wearing American and Jamaican brands through videos are quiet ridiculous. Let’s be real: there are only about a handful of Bahamian brands out there and if Bahamian artists were to wear these brands EXCLUSIVELY in their videos, they might be half naked. Correct me if I’m wrong but there are no Bahamian lines that design shoes and jeans etc. In fact, as it stand presently, Ranard’s own line, only provides, t-shirts, polos, hoodies and perhaps some loungewear. Do you really expect artists to wear hoodies and shirts in every video and the SAME ones at that? It always seems so silly to me when people make comments about Bahamians being too Americanized in their style of dress…what are we to do? Walk around in a few of the Bahamian designs and when they get dirty-put on our coconut bras and bush skirts? I think not.
Now when it comes to Riddim’s statements, there may have been some truth to it, but his approach to it may have been a bit radical. While I do applaud him for having balls for honestly expressing his views, maybe that should have been reserved for a private discussion with Ranard. You know Mr.Riddim, Facebook does have an INBOX button…just saying.
It’s time for industry peeps and Bahamians in general to stop biting each other’s heads off. I think Bahamian artists have been doing a pretty good job of repping this wonderful city. They might not shout Bahamas in every video or song, or walk around blowing a conch or w/e but they’re doing it! Also, these public beefs need to stop. This island is too small for this, well all need to work together. Let’s not forget that there is a big picture. Let’s not forget that we are competing against the big boys in NYC, ATL, Nashville and MIA. Remember: Forward, Onward, Upward, Together.
SIDEBAR: I guess this means Rapp Quelle won’t be sporting any “242 People Clothing” gear in his next vid? HA HA
SIGNED: The Vegetarian.
The movement isn’t about clothing, it isn’t about rap videos… it’s about what we as a Bahamian people are capable of accomplishing. For too long talents were ignored in the Bahamas by Bahamians & now that finally we have a voice & a presence, I think it should be used to promote & unite, not to create ‘BEEFs’ and other trivial disparities.
Both Eric & Riddim have their points although clearly the delivery was wrong. Yes, it would be NICE to recognize the 242 People Clothing & the Asdarjah Jeans & the Bataya Apparel & the Know Thyself 242 Clothing & Accessories…and whatever else is out there, it would be nice to recognize these in a video or on a stage, or just on everyday Bahamians. Just like it would be nice to drive around and hear a predominance of Bahamian music on radios & in our cars, at our events, etc.
It all boils down to 242 Support. We’re all individuals and how we show support will differ, our preferences will differ. Let’s respect each other’s preferences… and stay focused on the ultimate goal which is to take 242 to the world!!
dude @242artist no one is lost i seen da whole conversation its utter ignorance he a talk no body can tell nobody what to wear….as u can see me from antigua and me know of the rapper quelle as a Bahamian Rapper not american im not a idiot ain nobody care what ignorant people wud think because of ur style of dressing….u dress how u want wear what u want shop where u wan shop…well at least imma wear and do whatever i want “imma do me” who want to hate cuz people wanna do dem well kick rocks lol ….i guarantee u will never hear em say they from states tho stop tripping
http://islandswagentertainment.blogspot.com check out the music and new Soca Single #SugaryWaistline
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Drastic – Sugary Waistline
Big up Bahamas Yall Kool People even u 242 lol
ONE LOVE cuz a ONE CARIBBEAN not 2 or 3 !!!
I agree with you – and many others do – that we all as artists DO NOT need to wear the same clothes. At the same time, for persons outside of the 242 that seeing our videos, hearing our songs or seeing pictures of us, they should be able to tell that we are bahamians, there should be no confusion. Did you see how sammi starr came out at best of the best? no 242 clothing but a bahamian flag! That said to the world that this guy isnt american, jamaican or even allowing any confusion of where he’s from. Notice the support from the crowd. As an artist, that moment brought tears to my eyes to see people respect the artist and the artist respect his country and the image he projected.
Now I know you and Mr. Eric getting plenty free publicity over this but I hope the greater good is served in that we all rep 242/the bahamas without any confusion as to who we are as a people.
I checked Mr. eric’s 242people website saturday after all this started and again today and it got over 800 hits in the last few days, so i know your artist’s video got the same amount of publicity but lets all drop this and rep the bahamas.
to the person above who commented you do realize you DO NOT have to wear bahamian clothing to show your bahamian….lets be real now…the video had imagery of our way of life, jitney buses, local neighbourhood, street signs, vita malt…if every artist wore the same clothes like a uniform in all their videos it would come off really corny then they wont have any individuality…now as far as cursing goes…If you read what was previously said from that person which to me was extremely insulting then you would understand my anger and disgust. Let alone for someone saying we aint repping the 242 to the fullest but the images on this clothing shows gas masks, american soldiers holding a bahamian flag with a star in the middle of it!? Come on you tell me what’s wrong with that picture…but this is my last response on this matter we so pass this and we so 242 that ignorant statements don’t really phase us but we are happy for all this FREE PUBLICITY…. #weareup 😉
WOW…. clearly nobody knows how this thing got started. I went online saturday morning and on my home page i saw this eric guy was tagged in a video and under it he commented “is this guy bahamian or american…that the track is good and its shot in the bahamas but the guy looks like an american rapper from all the NEW YORK hats he changed into and the ECKO shirts”.
the riddim guy that posted the video on eric’s page then replied with obsanity and said if you want him to wear 242 clothing you should have sent him some. But to be honest, i dont think the eric guy was looking for promo for any particular local line. He replied saying it’s not a bout him wearing any particular local line, it just comes off as if he’s an american rapper from his look. So then the riddim guy posts on his wall that “he just found out that if you dont wear bahamian clothing that you are not reppin the 242”.
2 people then post on eric’s wall that they need to scratch that convo because the riddim guy missed the point and was cursing. So the eric guy deleted the video riddim posted and the back and forth discussion. Eric then posted on his wall something about how some bahamian artists run on about how they dont get enough local support for their talent but yet they dont rep the local image and reppin jamaican and american colors, accents and way of life.
over 30 people commented on eric’s post and about 30 on riddims… most people who read everything said that artists can wear what they want, clothing lines can support who they want but that we all need to promote the 242 above all.
i’m a local artist and i personally agree that we all need to rep the 242 above any other country, accent or flag.
lets drop the BS and just do what Sammi Star did at best of teh best and take the 242 to the world.
and just so u kno im an Artist from Antigua and we inna Antigua seh da boy sell off to da globe !
Well there are some valid points on both sides but honeslty if you want results you could of went about it in a different way. Ranard come on bro practice what you preach your gucci sneakers and polo shirts arent 242 its your art so you should live eat and breathe that. A simple approach to the artist could of eliminated all of this. Riddim I feel you on your reply but mabye he kinda has a point but at the same time hit the fella up educate him and make him feel you and understand your point of view its all opinions family.
We are clearly focused on all of the wrong things….. I like the way that Riddim addressed him….. He publicly expressed his distaste of a truly ignorant statement!
pure hatorade going on!!!
keep doin what u do quelle!!!
i cannot imagine shakira only wearing colombian clothes in her videos, i cannot imagine beyonce wearing only houston clothing, i cannot imagine celine dion only wearing candian dressing so why does ma bwoy need to wear 242 clothing… blood is thicker than water and i have never EVER read or heard quelle EVER tell me personally or ANYONE else he is not from Bahamas!
242clothing stop da bull das why it so hard for an island nigga to make it any where …listen to da music and stop watch da man attire
NIGGA DON’T HAVE A CONCHIENCE, EY? HE JUST SHOT HIMSELF IN THE FOOT. HE MUSSEE DON’T KNOW, THE LAST THING BAHAMIANS DON’T LIKE IS CRY BABY HATERS!
LOLOL, ah boi…why Quelle always caught up in controversy? I agree with Riddim though…you expect the artist to come to you to wear ya clothes? And if they do, are you gonna give them clothes for free?? I highly doubt it if you’re bahamian, lol…but that is how it SHOULD be…because an artist’s video is offering free advertisement and promotion for your line IF you give it to them
**as a side note…there are jamaican name brands??? :S
I agree!! For goodness sakes its a MUSIC VIDEO not a clothing ad. Stop jonesin for FREE PROMO!
wow i made it on a blog!! lol cool…but yeah i didnt wanna make anything public but dude wrote a status that just pissed me right off…but I take nothing back what I said…he gotta get real or stay fake…im just sayin…we reppin the 242 to the fullest trust me when i say that #weareup !