On Thanksgiving Day of this year, Bermudian musical artist Imari Wade’s music brand New Golden Emperor officially signed a contract with SONY Orchard.
Ms. Wade’s music career began back in 2009 and it is mostly a mix between hip hop and urban contemporary music.
“ I’ve never had a major label take interest in what I’m doing and help me push my creative style, so it allows me to focus on everything, from music to features, while at the same time allowing other artists who I think are worth it to jump on board with me,” she said.
Ms. Wade urges Bermudians to take more time and interest in the island’s youth in all fields, not just music.
“ I wish that when I started out, people were willing to push and back me up like they do in other countries,” she said. “ We don’t know what our children will become if we encourage them. Not everybody [ on the island] wants to be an accountant, doctor or nurse.”
According to Ms. Wade, fellow Bermudian Glenn Tucker forwarded her music to someone at SONY. She ended up meeting with them and looking over a contract, which ended up being a great deal.
“ I’m not losing anything on this deal, all I have to do is produce my talent, and I can do that with my eyes closed,” she said.
An appreciation for music is best received when there is a story to tell and your audience can relate to the subject. Imari likes to tell stories using her lyrically explosive, innovative rap style, all whilst remaining true to myself. She applys her street knowledge combined with personal experiences to attack the mic without fear of going against the grain.
The artist gives no credit to any one artist for her style, however, pays homage to musical influences from many different genres. She tends to mix & blend, being a hip-hop artist from the Islands!
Imari’s performance experience includes numerous locations around her island home in Bermuda, at popular venues such as the Royal Naval Dockyard, City Hall Theater, Ruth Seaton James Theater, Bermuda National Gallery, and Botanical Gardens just to name a few. Other notable performances include the annual Bob Marley Legend Concert at Barr’s Bay Park, Best of the Best at Gombey’s Beach Bar, Bermuda Salute Concert at Tiger Bay St George’s and a few Bermuda New Year’s Eve Celebrations.
In earlier years of performing, Imari received 3 HipHop awards, over a 2-year cycle of the “Bermuda Underground Music Awards” HOTT 107.5, Bermuda’s top radio station.
Furthermore, they announced the artist as the first Annual HipHop Champion Winner. Notably, She was the only female in the competition that proceeded to the finals.
A few years after that over a live Broadcast on local channel “Fresh TV” Imari received the Inaugural “Sally Bassett Award” which is a respected historical figure in her Island home Bermuda. Amongst other awards She received the “Rock the Mic” title and was invited to teach and facilitate student workshops in creative hip-hop writing.
Imari’s first international performance was in Toronto while traveling with entertainment charity The ChewStick Foundation on the “ChewRonto Tour” in April 2011.
In December of 2014, She was fortunate to travel on her second international performance to the island of Jamaica to take the stage at “Magnum Sting” in Portmore, and “JamFest” in Montego Bay.
In March of 2015 The Artist performed 7 shows, over a 3-week Sold Out tour in the United Kingdom with dancehall sensation “Gully Bop”. That same year, the City of Hamilton (Bermuda) in conjunction with St. Elizabeth Council of Jamaica held an Independence Day concert in Black River.
Imari was honoured to be the headliner for the celebration of the independence of Jamaica, representing their Twin City Bermuda. Soon after that She had her first performance in the United States alongside “Professor Nuts” & the “No Apology Band” in the state of Florida.
Over the past few years, Imari also has been blessed with the opportunity to open for numerous international entertainers and perform with major live bands.
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