SOUTH FLORIDA – Jamaica’s fashionable Consul Common to Miami since 2018, Oliver Mair usually refers to himself as a “pissed off artist” when he seems at leisure occasions in South Florida. He’s recognized to point out off his deejay expertise infrequently.
The jocular Mair expects to do the rounds on August 4 when plenty of occasions are being held to have fun Jamaica’s independence two days later. At a kind of gigs, Suga Reggae Fest at Centennial Park in Fort Myers, he will probably be acknowledged for his service to the Jamaican Diaspora.
Oliver Mair mentioned the leisure scene in Florida has grown quickly since he was assigned there.
Reggae Grammy Winner Kabaka Pyramid and Oliver Mair (R)
“It’s vibrant, very vibrant, plenty of exhibits happen repeatedly. Virtually each Jamaican entertainer you possibly can consider is part of a present within the southern United States significantly Florida and Georgia. Whether or not the likes of Shaggy, Interior Circle, Yellowman, Ding Dong, Shenseea…they do common exhibits. So, the leisure scene is great, and it’s not restricted to reggae performers,” Mair famous.
West Indians as soon as thought-about South Florida a sleepy retirement area, however issues started to vary throughout the Eighties when hip hop group 2 Live Crew helped put it on the music map. In the course of the Nineteen Nineties, Interior Circle exploded with the hit songs Bad Boys and Sweat, reworking South Florida right into a bonafide reggae market.
Along with Interior Circle, a number of reggae acts reside in South Florida together with Etana, Marcia Griffiths and Willie Stewart, the previous Third World drummer who promotes the profitable Rhythms Of Africa present in Miramar.
Mair believes their presence exhibits how palatable the realm has turn out to be for Jamaicans.
Jimmy Cliff, (seated) – Standing L-R: Mayor Wayne Messam, Roger Lewis (Interior Circle), Hon. Oliver Mair at Circle Home Studios in Miami
“Broward County has extra Jamaicans than some other county within the US. And as Jamaicans collect collectively there are extra companies which might be rising which is a good factor,” he mentioned.
Suga Reggae Fest is promoted by Suga 95.7 FM, an impartial radio station owned by Jamaican Dwayne Williams. Primarily based in Fort Myers, it has a 24-hour, all-Jamaican format.
