BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – GUSTAV SMITH, popularly known in the entertainment industry as SMI, has publicly apologised for the unsavory remarks he made and invectives used against Music Festival’s co-host Naeemah Hazelle.
SMI, the lone local act amongst a star-studded field of international and regional artistes at the final night of this year’s Music Festival (Jun. 28), vented his anger at Hazelle for the manner in which he was introduced to perform at the event.
The 28-year-old, considered one of the best rappers and song writers out of Sandy Point, claimed that Hazelle placed a great deal of emphasis on American Grammy-nominated R&B singer, songwriter, actor, author and television producer Tyrese Gibson when he (SMI) was about to make his appearance onstage.
Out of character, SMI posted some unsavory remarks and vehement accusations against Hazelle on his Facebook page; words that this publication will not repeat.
However, when contacted this afternoon (Jun. 30), a penitent SMI told SKNVibes that he had removed the posting and replaced it with an apology.
“Following what she did Saturday night, anger got the best of me. But after I had awaken on the following day, I realised what anger can make one do out of character and I removed the comment and replaced it with an apology.”
Apart from the postings on Facebook, SMI seized the opportunity to use this medium to also apologise to his many fans for his behaviour.
This media house also spoke to a number of his fans, one of whom, on condition of anonymity, is of the view that the “Federation has many people with foreign minds with local bodies”.
The fan also said: “Most people don’t know the pressure artistes go through in preparation to perform before an audience, especially at a mega event like the Music Festival. She was too taken up with Tyrese and forgot what the role of a host or hostess is. The introductory phrase is to get the crowd prepared for the forthcoming artiste and not anyone before or after him or her as the hostess did.
“Tyrese Gibson is a world renowned artiste. He has already made his name on the international stage not only as a singer and songwriter, but also as an actor. We therefore need to promote our own and not downplay them, even if it were unintentional. Be professional!”
