On an island where bouyon and calypso music are intertwined with culture, Bert ‘Atunyah’ Allan is a deviation from the norm.
The 28-year-old local reggae artist released his first album earlier this month, appropriately dubbed ‘Rejoice’.
Atunyah told Dominica News Online that his love for music and faith in himself led him to make the difficult decision of quitting his job to record the album.
“I’ve made that sacrifice. Everything happens for a reason. Everything is a risk, you know. Sometimes you have to take these kinds of decisions to be where you want to be in life,” the singer said.
The artist told DNO that Audio Solutions Incorporated, the studio in which he recorded 11 of the 12 tracks on the album, only recorded in the daytime which left him no choice but to leave his daytime job.
But even before he took that dramatic step, Atunyah had been on the music scene for over 10 years. According to him, his musical career began when he did his first recording, ‘Fire None Stop’, with DJ Alfi in 2000 on an Album called ‘Triple Kayous’, then another track in 2004 called ‘Militant Soldier’.
“I got linked up with Maxine Alleyne; she had just started off the event called Thirsty Thursdays. I did that for a couple weeks and then I got in contact with Michelle Henderson, and she graciously invited me to do a recording at her studio,” he recalled.
Atunyah said the newly-released album is a “compilation of some wonderful songs”.
“No profanity, no disrespectful language, it’s just a wonderful project…” he noted.
According to the artist, the first song on his album, ‘Blue Skies’, speaks of black people needing to look back to Africa and defending their homeland, the in her times of peril.
Atunyah explained that he is a strong believer in black heritage and is of the view that countries should always put their people first.
“I consider myself to be an activist of black history, black culture, black heritage. I believe that black is a superior race. And, no, I am not a racist. I believe in putting my people first, which I think all nations should do,” he said.
The singer is also author of all songs on the album accept one- ‘Queen and a Lady’ – which was co-written by his friend, Merlana Beaupierre.
Meanwhile, Atunyah said that the song most special to him on the album would be a song called ‘Mama’ which he wrote for his mother.
Michelle Henderson did all the background vocals on the album.
Atunyah, who was born in the eastern community of La Plaine, revealed that growing up he had a balance of good and bad times, and has matured since his younger days especially in terms of how he deals with life’s stresses. He named the album ‘Rejoice’ particularly because of this personal accomplishment.
“In my youthful days we had good days and bad days. At that time in life, not knowing too much about life, like how to control myself in situations in life it was a kind of more difficult when the bad times came around because I wasn’t as capable of understanding life as yet. Seeing where I am today, being better to understand life and make the right decisions and help myself move forward- that is reason to rejoice,” Atunyah said.
Atunyah has three sister and two brothers, one who was killed in a vehicular accident eight years ago.
While the launching of his first album is a joyful affair, Atunyah noted that it was also a very costly endeavor.
“It is costly and it is difficult, especially in these hard economic times,” he told DNO.
Nevertheless, his advice to aspiring artists is to believe in themselves and perfect their art forms in any way that they can.
Hermisha Rolle – Staff Reporter
MAY THE GOOD LORD CONTINUES TO SHINE UPON YOU YOUNG FELLER
Big up to u Atunyah…may the great lord bless u as u continue in your new endeavor and don’t forget with His ever pouring blessings you WILL ACHIEVE.I’m one of your biggest fan never met u in person but always see u know and then.I to love conscious music,i strougly believe in equality,humanity,morality and the list goes on.I admire your work,wish we could link up.
Keep up the great work and the positiveness.BLESSED
Thanks to all u blessed poeple out there.Your positive words and support will and is an engine to my and Domonica’s sucess.Thanks for being there for me and i will not disappoint in my endevour to make Dominica proud!!may the most High bless u all…..Thanks!
Hey Burt am inspired……..you’ve come a long way ……i will definitely support u . Keep up the good work……i must say am proud of u……….
Bert my padna, i always knew you could do it! The passion you have for your music is extraordinary… Keep it up the hard work my boy and you’ll get there… CONGRATS!
all of all u bigging up the man i hope all u support the man & buy the album instead of downloading it..as u can see thats all he have right now cuz he quit his day job…so show some support,,,i for 1 will be buying that album for sure as soon as i touch down dca next month
Congrats my brethren!! I wish you the best on your journey…
congrats burt this is your uncle i am enjoying your music my dj friend loves it he plays it at lot in his jams in florida good luck
big up
Hey Burt, CONGRATULATIONS to you on this big achievement. You always had those positive vibes in you……the potentials…..and the capacity to bring forth positive actions in the music industry. I remember visiting your family when you were young boy, and you were always singing. Burt I am proud of you. Also congratulations to Mya. May God continue to see you guys through
Nuff respect, all the best in your career, we have a lot of talent in our island and we have to support them, buy their original CD, patronise their events…..we like foreign artist but we have to LOVE our own.
big up to my boy burt. i remember hanging out wit all you.trust me i will get da album
laplaine massive
Congrats to u but i have on question to ask u,where were u working?How come ur boss could not give u time off to go record ?hmm dats all im saying good luck!
wow bert is from my village and i am so happy that he finally got his shine. he is a vey talented young man and i hope that ppl go out and get his album. big up to u my brother .
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Congrats man…can’t wait to hear it!
i am so proud of you.as a laplainian like you i feel very happy to see our your people can do wonderful things.god bless.i know your mother is proud of you.
Congratulations Atunyah! I always knew you had the capacity and potential to bring forth……to manifest…to bring into postive action…….I am proud of you! May God’s blessings continue to guide your path……..Mya continue to write……
Rev.
Congratulations young man. Now having said that, i think we can do much more to help him on his path to success.
1. Buy his ORIGINAL cd. Don’t pirate it off your friend. The same money we would spend buying 2 or 3 guinness or black label whiskeys, we can put it aside and use it to purchase Atunyah’s original album.
2. All of us out there on FaceBook, Myspace, etc, promote the young man’s music. Ask your local dj’s to play his music.
Although reggae is not one of my favourite art forms, i always make it a point to support my local artists when they produce albums. Just doing my little bit to further our own. ;)
JAH BLESSING ATUNYAH U DESERVE THE BEST…..I’M NOT FROM LAPLAINE BUT I LIVED THERE FOR A FEW YEARS AND I GOT TO KNOW HIM AND HE IS A WONDERFUL PERSON…SO TALENTED AND SO PEACEFUL….I WILL SURELY BE BUYING HIS ALBUM…ALL THE BEST FADA….KEEP IT UP….
HEY BURT, THATS A NICE THING TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE. CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK
BIG UP LA PLAINE MASSIVE.
big up to atunyah,,,, i hope u’ll find success in the music,,,, but one thing,, try making some good quality n concept video to air on REtv,,,,, cause thats how we as artist can maximise our talent n reach new audiences…..