bahamianmusic

More than six years after the sudden and heartbreaking death of Bahamian reggae artist Davon “Mdeez” Knight stunned the nation, his widow stood in a courtroom and did something few could imagine.

She forgave.

Facing the man charged in her husband’s death, Leshann Knight looked directly at Shamano Cooper as she delivered her victim impact statement. Her voice was steady, and her words were deliberate. She told him she forgave him — and that her family extended grace.

It was about peace.

“I wanted my soul to be at peace,” she expressed, choosing release over resentment in a moment heavy with memory.

On June 21, 2019, what began as a dispute ended in tragedy. Knight, who was the landlord of a property where Cooper operated a car wash, had reportedly gone to collect outstanding rent. An altercation followed. Knight was stabbed multiple times. Despite his injuries, he attempted to drive himself to the hospital but lost consciousness behind the wheel and collided with another vehicle. He later died from those injuries.

The loss reverberated far beyond his family.

“Mdeez” was on the brink of international stardom, preparing for a 12-week, multi-country tour that would have taken him to Canada, the United States, Jamaica and several Family Islands.

His songs, including ‘Times Hard’ and ‘Ghetto Cries’, resonated with many who saw their own struggles reflected in his lyrics.

He was also a familiar face on political stages, serving as a lead entertainer at Free National Movement’s rallies during past general election seasons.

In court, Cooper apologised to Mrs Knight. After a plea agreement, his charge was reduced to manslaughter, and he now faces a 15-year sentence.

He appeared relieved when Mrs Knight told him she had already forgiven him.

For Mrs Knight, forgiveness marked the closing of a chapter and the beginning of peace.

Popular Bahamian singer Emily Williams also known as ‘Sweet Emily’ is furious and has taken to social media demanding to know why another Bahamian artist was selected to sing her song without her consent.

Williams said the Bahamian soca artist was selected to headline a cultural event but will be singing one of her songs while she remains at home without work.

“How can a soca artist headline a cultural show and is paid to sing my song while I am home unemployed?” Williams asked.

“Fix it,” she demanded.

The Junkanoo Queen known for hits like ‘Bring Back the Good ‘Ole Days,’ ‘Send Him Home’ and ‘Look Wha’ Ya Do,’  said despite her many successes in the Bahamian music industry, she is unemployed while another artist was selected to sing her song.

“Make it make sense. I can’t keep quiet on this,” she said.

Williams said she demands respect because she “deserves it.”

“Someone from the Ministry of Tourism needs to let these artists give them a list of songs before hiring them. If they are being hired to headline cultural shows, they should prove they are qualified by having proper cultural songs of their own.

“We are competing for the same jobs. So if you want to take a job to headline a cultural show, then you shouldn’t have to use another artist’s song who you are in competition with,” she said.

Social media users have pressured her to file a lawsuit, but Williams said she is only willing to forgive this time, but the next time it happens, she will do something about it.

“This post is just a warning this time. But sing my song without my permission on your big stage. I will not let it slide next time,” she warned.

Williams did not name the Bahamian soca artist who was hired to sing her song but only said, “Artists need to respect others. If you want to headline a cultural Bahamian show, carry your hip in the studio and produce Bahamian songs instead of soca…I am tired of the foolishness I see going on in this industry.”