Features
Stefan Nikola
Nine months after being shot in Trinidad, Tobago singer Anthony Bacchus – formerly known as Junior Bana, now King Bana – is giving thanks for life with new music and a new mindset.
The singer, who turns 33 on Wednesday, will host a birthday bash at Zion Hill Basketball Court in Belle Garden at 3 p.m. He said the event is being held in collaboration with the Zion Youth Association, of which he is a member, “to keep the culture alive, to keep the culture of our Belle Garden village alive and to hold positive and fun activities for the children of the village and Tobago.”
Xavier Edwardz, Stephanie Joseph, Trip the Artiste, Prince Unique and Trinidad Killa are also expected to perform on Wednesday.
The former New Tobago Monarch runner-up was among a group shot at a house in Laventille last November. Three people, including two 17-year-olds, were killed.
Bacchus was shot several times in the chest and spent weeks in the hospital recovering from two collapsed lungs.
He told Sunday Newsday on Thursday that he wants to use his experiences to guide young people to make the right decisions in life.
In May 2020, Bacchus apologized to the government and his fans after pleading guilty to possession of 84 grams of marijuana. The Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill allows each adult to possess 30 grams of marijuana.
Bacchus said: “I want my birthday to be a contributing factor for children. I want to highlight the more positive aspects of life. I have been a victim of gun violence and I also want to emphasize my stance against gun violence and to share my experience and give positive motivation to young people”.
Bacchus, known for his groovy style, said his injuries could have ended his career as an artist.
“It was a real reality check. As someone who also likes gun violence, because I’m young and I like some music with some gun lyrics, it made me open my eyes to being a better person.”
Bacchus said he wants to be honest with the public about the healing process.
“It’s a mental and physical challenge – it’s a painful healing process.
“Part of my body is crippled. Some parts of my body have no feeling. It challenges me to write, I’m right-handed and I was shot twice in my right hand. I can’t close my right hand and make a fist or hold a pen as usual I try to hold a pen with my last three fingers – I must say thank God for technology that I can still write music on my phone.
“Being the breadwinner and being a father is a struggle because I can’t use my right hand.”
Asked if the incident has prompted him to reflect on his “my team” catchphrase, Bacchus said it hasn’t.
“I will keep saying, ‘My team’. No matter if someone I expect more from gives less. Just those who say my slogan gives me a lot of encouragement and zeal. The prayers from Tobagonians while I was in the hospital were powerful and meaningful.God reflected this in my life and gave me a second chance.
“I have a friend by my side who stood up for me and took care of me. Even though I’m chasing love everywhere (for my music), I’ve got a lot of love right here.”
Bacchus said his music will reflect his new mentality, but he won’t be a hypocrite. He added that it’s important to be comfortable in your own skin.
“I made a slight change in my music because of the perspective. It’s not that they shoot me and now I act nice.
“I want to develop a better image, a better character, a better artist. I consider myself a global artist – the way I speak, the way I communicate, the way I sing, the way I write music. It should be something to communicate to Tobago but also to the rest of the world. My goal is to be real, put my emotions in it, put fun and love in my music, let the love of my music reflect to the audience that listen. The new Bana – King Bana – just wants to spread joy and fun.”
Addressing how he ended up in Trinidad, Bacchus said many Tobago artists are forced to migrate to Trinidad to launch their careers. He said Shurwayne Winchester, Calypso Rose and Mighty Shadow took their careers to the next level after leaving the island.
He said covid19 also forced him to explore other opportunities for income generation.
“Covid was a wake-up call for many of us. I was like everyone else, trying to survive and improvise ways to earn an income. I was no longer working at the Airports Authority. I moved to Trinidad, did a few jobs with a construction company. I was writing music and recording in La Horquetta and Valsayn. I was opening a small record label with the owners of a building there, experimenting with different types of music.”
However, he said life in Trinidad is very different from Tobago.
“Trinidad is a faster life, it’s a busier life and it’s more dangerous than Tobago. I love both islands, but the reality of my migration and being exposed to all the elements, I realized how dangerous it can be Trinidad ever.”
He said the music industry in Tobago is not as advanced as Trinidad, but slowly, Tobago artists are getting the respect they deserve.
Since returning to Tobago, Bacchus has recorded music for Canada’s RB Islands studio and recorded three tracks at Impact Studio in Trinidad.
“I want to encourage fans to listen to progressive music. Patience is a key factor in life. The music will continue to improve. My first release for Tobago Carnival is Living Life. I would like the world to play it, but I write it. this for my people”.
He hopes to bring a music video for the song.
He encouraged anyone who was interested to donate whatever they could in thanksgiving to help put a smile on a child’s face.
For more information email [email protected].
