BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TWO members of the Cayon-based Chronical Family have released a song and very ‘touching’ video dedicated to mothers. The song is called ‘Mama Love’.
Lynshel ‘Shakal’ Peetes and Duawne ‘Fire’ McSheene said that the song comes from reality and they use real mothers to bring out the message and real emotions in the video.
“The song is just reality with the emotions to go with it. Everyone can relate in terms of sharing a mama’s love. It’s not easy being a mother; everyone knows the trials that a mother faces, bringing a youth and maintaining that child,” he said. ‘I know my mother love me off, so we just had to dedicate something to all mothers.”
McSheene said he took the idea to Peetes and that they have known each other for years. They both started in the music industry together, but because of McSheene forming a sound system known as Chalice Sounds and Peetes being a member of a band, this affected them from recording music together.
The musical accompaniment for the song was done by a young man known as ‘De Magician’ who attends the Washington Archibald High School.
The recently released music video was directed and produced by Kelvin Christopher of SKNE/E Ova Now Productions.
According to the artistes, the Chronical Family is more than just a group; it is a nation because there are new members and affiliates joining every day.
Their aim is to make music that reflects the truth and bring to light issues that are negatively affecting the populace.
Although it has been quite sometime since they have released any music together, they have now decided to return with new materials and with a positive new direction.
They now have a manager, who is hoping to guide them in the right career path and by getting them the exposure they need.
McSheene said that Charles Thomas, who also hails from Cayon, is like a father to them.
“It’s not just anybody we would pick up and ask to be our manager, he’s like an elder in the community and he’s educated in music…differently from being an elder man that we respect. We trust his music knowledge and his instincts,” he said.
Thomas, who formed a youth project with a member of the Peace Corps in Cayon for the Cayon High School Children at Risk programme called Style: Strength Through Youth Leadership and Empowerment, said that he is first looking at getting the artistes established and known in the Federation.
“The direction I want to take Chronical family is a positive one; get them known. And I’m going to send their music to various Caribbean countries so they can get airplay down there. Once the people are feeling their music and want to know who is Fire and Shakal and Chronical Family, we’ll take it from there,” he said.
Thomas said he was shocked when approached and asked to be their manager because he has no experience in managing artistes.
“So, this is like virgin territory for me, but I love it and I’m gonna put my best to make sure everything comes off smooth.”
Peets said that people may remember them from several tunes including ‘Love Song’ and ‘Rolling up the place’.
They also have a mixed CD on sale for EC$15 called ‘Chronical Meds Vol. 1’ and features songs including ‘Love Song’, ‘World Illusion’ and ‘Mama Love’.
“Chronical family is like a nation of people, everyday people born into Chronical family. It’s a unity thing…we take a lot of artistes under our wings as well, so it’s a whole entertainment movement,” Peetes said.
“We’re headstrong on delivering the truth, whatever it is at the time, and it’s truthful we deal with it,” said McSheene.
