By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

IF YOU have ever seen Dyson Knight live in concert then you are familiar with the hype energy he brings to the stage. From jumping and dancing to taking full advantage of the stage, the Bahamian singer and entertainer always presents a must see show.

He had to get his start somewhere. In an interview with In Ya Ear, Dyson said his father, Vernon Knight, introduced him to music theory and the trumpet at the age of four.

From there on, Dyson said he was involved in church bands, school choirs and groups, college ensembles and a variety of quartettes.

He said his first professional paid appearance on the local scene was not as a singer, but as one of T’rez Hepburn’s premier male dancers.

Shortly after, Dyson recorded his first song “Time Bomb,” and he joined a group of singers that called themselves The Extra Band.
“I recorded many songs with them but the most popular would be “Regatta Time”, “Drop Down”, “Come Up Slow” and “Private Dancer.” I then joined Bahamen in 2004 and I’ve been assisting the band “Visage” from 2006. I’ve become somewhat of a staple in Visage recording songs like “Baby Daddy” and “Six and Half Dozen.”

I’ve also recorded “Frig Up” and “I Coming Right Back,” the last two annual Junkanoo songs with The Mighty Sting Junkanoo group,” said Dyson.

While his friends, family members and supporters may consider these accomplishments as milestones in his career, Dyson said he still feels as if he is just getting started.

“I do have a few Cacique Award nominations and I have performed for number of prestigious events like the Legacy and Cancer Ball consistently. However, what is most inspiring for me is walking into a school or hostel that I’ve visited and performed and have the kids call me by name and sing parts of my songs because they remember my performances,” he said.

Dyson said music is a life long commitment for him and when he is no longer able to jump up and run across the stage, he will then walk or crawl. When that is no longer possible, the singer said he will continue to write and produce.

“Another milestone is the fact that I’ve been a full time entertainer for the past three years. I’m not rich yet, but I’m comfortable,” he said.

Speaking about how the music scene has changed and evolved over the years, Dyson said: “I feel the changes in music are all very recent, for example with D-Mac’s burst of hits. I say this most importantly and respectfully because he’s kept a level of professionalism on the business end which for a number of other artists has improved the respect for our talent.”

Dyson said there is an outlet for Bahamian artists but it is very scattered and not as easy to infiltrate as finding a 9-5 job.

“It’s a hustle and you have to be devoted, versatile, innovative and persistently creative to survive. Globally, physical albums aren’t selling the way they used to. The money is in live performances. And it’s the same here locally,” said Dyson.

To date, Dyson’s most recent projects include collaborations with Rik and Sketch Carey, Basil “Basie” Lightbourne, Eugene “Geno D” Davis, Visage and The Mighty Sting with the songs such as “Gold-Right Na” “Come Home Bey”, “Keep On Pushing”, “I Comin” and “I Coming Right Back.”

He said he has also released a string of solo songs that include the single “Reach Beyond Da Sky,” one of the songs he performed for the opening of this year’s Carifta games. Dyson said he also released the songs; “Out ah Order”, “Gal Ya Flirtin”, “Till It Leaves (Your Sight)” and “No Stress’n”, just to name a few.

“Presently I’m deeply invested in Bahamen’s project with Sony but I’m still pushing to press an album outside of that for the many that have requested to have a compilation of my recent work. I also have several unreleased singles that will be released throughout the remainder of the year. I’d like for my supporters to know that I greatly appreciate them and that I respect them to the point whereas I will always give them my best,” said Dyson.

To keep up with Dyson and his projects, follow him at Dyson Knight on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube or visit www.dysonknight.com.