An Interview with Magnet Man (2/2) By Joe Hakim Photos by Mo

(1/2), (2/2),

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Photograph Gallery   Elf Gallery,   Andy Whitehouse/Afterglow Gallery,   R.D. Terry / Thief Gallery,   Claudette Tiller / The Maker Gallery,   ,   Kill Surf City / Dari Gallery,   Hollywood Gallery,   D-Koy Gallery,   Da Maniacs / Georgia Taylor Gallery,   Magnet Man Gallery 1,   Gallery 2.

You're not only a singer/producer, but you've tried your hand at acting too. Tell me about 'From Barbados With Love'... It was a film I was involved in. Filming took place in 2004 and it's about a famous monkey hunter from Barbados, and I played the part of his 'bad boy' son. It's an interesting film because it's about the indigenous Barbados green-monkey, an animal from which a huge percentage of the world's polio vaccines are taken from. The storyline follows the discovery and creation of the vaccine...it's very political. I also wrote, produced and performed the soundtrack as well. It was very exciting for me, and I would love to get involved with another acting project, so I've signed up with the Spotlight agency.

You received seven nominations at the Barbados music awards, competing with acts such as Def Jam's Rihanna and Atlantic Record's Rupee. You went on to win Best Music Video Award, despite the fact that you are signed to your own independent 'Bajan' label. Is independence important to you? What does it mean as an artist to be free of corporate control? [Being independent is]...it's important because you control your master rights and in terms of your own creativity, you have complete control over what you want to do as an artist. Other artists have a lot of pressure on them to get the next album out... it's all about churning out those records.

I mean, I put pressure on myself, but you don't have that corporate entity breathing down your neck, y'know? There's just more room to be creative and my label and publishing company, 'Magnetic Image' records, is growing fast, and we're always looking for new artists to develop and sign.

I've just got to ask you about the 'wuk up' belly dance... (Laughs) Well, the wuk up belly dance...it's a gyration of your hips. It's a big thing in the Caribbean, and I'm pretty much known as the man with the belly dance because I do it well and the ladies love it! The ladies love it a lot, y'know? Speaking of which, I get the slight impression that you're a bit of ladies man...

I'm not... I got married seventeenth of November last year, and I have a very beautiful wife. I'm not available, but it's all about the tease anyway... I get 'em ready for someone else!

What's next for Magnet Man? Right after this we're heading down to Reading for a show which I'm headlining, and after that I'm heading to Russia for a couple of big shows in St. Petersburg taking place on the 2nd and 3rd of June at the East European Music Convention. We're being sponsored by FHM magazine and I'm the only live act playing. Gonna be an exciting night - they're flying in a hundred models for the show. Kanye West had seventy-five, so I had to outdo him, y'know? Wicked...

Finally, have you any advice for young, aspiring musicians? Keep believing in yourself, keep doing what you're doing and don't think you're too old for advice. Everyone is constantly learning so just keep perfecting your art by working on it, y'know?

Photographs courtsey and Copyright ©  Mo 2006

Photograph Gallery   Interview Gallery

Photograph Gallery   Elf Gallery,   Andy Whitehouse/Afterglow Gallery,   R.D. Terry / Thief Gallery,   Claudette Tiller / The Maker Gallery,   ,   Kill Surf City / Dari Gallery,   Hollywood Gallery,   D-Koy Gallery,   Da Maniacs / Georgia Taylor Gallery,   Magnet Man Gallery 1,   Gallery 2.

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