NCity

BIG Productions Music Group

NCity
Believe and Skyy

By: Erica Meus-Saunders
www.nuwomanbs.com

Most of us have heard about Missy Elliott, female hip hop producer, rapper, songwriter and all around talent. We might have heard about Salt-N-Pepa and Eve but right at home we have our very own female duo taking over the lead in the music industry.

Margaret Glynatsis and Chrystal Moncur (Skyy) are the female duo behind B.I.G. (Biggotty Island Gals) Productions Music Group. Margaret, who shares ownership with Chrystal, is also a producer, songwriter and rapper her a.k.a is Believe and they both have released their music under their production company. Believe has produced tracks for such upcoming talent as, Lady Millz, TaDa, NKen, Cutty out of Trinidad and many more.

Margaret says that Chrystal came up with the concept for BIG Productions in September of 2002, and they made this idea a reality in 2003 when the company was formed. She says that at first it was a slow start building the studio, but as they presented their idea to persons in the industry, more and more they became supportive. Jamal Rodgers (Dj Xcitment of 100Jamz) played a key role, and was responsible for a lot of the equipment and software they got in the beginning.

“We had God on our side. Everyone was so helpful, they were like ‘here, have this piece of equipment’. Even our lawyer (Holly Lunn) was extremely helpful. She was like don’t worry about it; I’ll get it sorted out.”

Both ladies play an active part in the production company and both have released singles under their company’s name. They currently have four other artists under their label: Cyeon – singer/producer/writer, Lil Rob – male rapper, J Reep – male rapper, and Jah Voice – reggae singer.

They have worked with artists such as Tada, Sketch, MDeez, Lady Millz, Be, Ra Soul, Krimster, West Side Boyz, and Cutty (Trinidad) just to name a few.

Nu Woman recently sat down with this female duo and here is what they had to say about their production company and about the role of women in the music industry on the whole.


NU WOMAN: Firstly, how old are you ladies?
Margaret: I’m 26
Chrystal: I’m 22
NW: Wow! You are both pretty young. It’s quite an accomplishment to have the studio at such a young age. How difficult was it to get this started?
Chrystal: Well, after we finished recording our first song (Mom Praying) at Shanti Recording Studio which was located on Sears Hill (which is currently closed) we took it to the radio stations. Many of the ‘VJ s’ and ‘DJ’ were excited and gave us the idea that we could produce our own work. Jamal Rodgers a.k.a ‘Excitement’ gave us some used equipment, mixer and what not.
Margaret: It was just an idea at first. Everyone who we spoke to about it was like ‘yeah, do it, do it’. So we got our business plan together (Chrystal’s sister, Jewel Moncur helped with this) and our lawyer (Holly Lunn) worked out the details. We got help from producer Zoltan Johnson – owner of Stereotypez. He helped to set up our studio once we got our new equipment and showed us the ins and outs of recording and producing, along with so many other persons. So it all came together.
NW: How difficult is it running a music studio at home, and do you think that as women you get the respect that you deserve?
Margaret: I think in the last 3-4 years Bahamians have come a long way. In the past Bahamian weren’t as open-minded and did not welcome so much the ‘Hip-Hop’ and Reggae, they wanted more authentic Bahamian music. Now we have persons like Patricia Chatti of Make ‘Em Listen (www.makeemlisten.net) encouraging young Bahamians to express themselves in different musical genres. More doors are now being opened and people are more receptive.
We are building a fan base and getting out there – promoting our music and production company on Myspace (www.myspace.com/believebahamas), and wherever we can get exposure. Then you have persons like TaDa (Terneille Burrows) who has also opened doors for us, she has set the foundation for many Bahamian artist, especially females. She is known internationally and has worked with producers worldwide.
NW: So tell me about the type of equipment do you operate in the studio. What type of music platform are you working with?
Margaret: Currently we record with Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1, which is compatible with world class production software. It offers 32 audio recording tracks and mixes up to 24-bit/96k Hz.
We are a full production studio and record simultaneous tracks. We have three songs which are currently on the radio now, Calling You Out feat TaDa, Taking Ova, and Only If I Did Right (performed by Jah Voice). All which have been recorded and produced at our studio.
NW: How difficult is it trying to run a studio, manage a music career, and work full-time?
Chrystal: Well time management is essential. Sometimes you have two or three persons coming in at the same time, wanting to do - Erica Meus-Saunders

In a world where hip hop is a male dominated art form, Believe and Skyy known as NCity are emerging and are laying down the ground work in order to make a significant impact in the music industry. Defying all odds, the female rap duo is crossing over into pop mainstream, with catchy up tempo hooks and rhymes that leave you wanting more. Both Chrystal Moncur (skyy) and Margaret Glynatsis (believe) where born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas and through out the course of their childhood we’re somehow directly or indirectly involved with music. In May of 2004 the two opened up a recording studio and formed their own label known as BIG Productions Music Group, shortly after that, Believe and Skyy officially merged together to become NCity. Only six months after the release of their first single Calling You Out feat. TaDa, NCity has received an enormous amount of success. The single has become popular on local radio stations and a favorite among listeners. They have performed at various events and live concerts including the 2007 Dj Awards, as well as appeared in online and printed magazines such as Nu Women magazine. What can we expect from NCity in 2008? Currently the group is adding the finishing touches to their debut album “NCity”, which is scheduled to be released early summer. Influenced by the sounds and talents of such great artist as, Timberland, Lauren Hill, Puff Daddy, Keri Hilson, Akon and many more, this is album is sure to create a Pop Revolution.
- www.betvlive.com

Look out for NCity feature story in POSH Magazine - Janette Brin

In a world where hip hop is a male dominated art form, Believe and Skyy known as NCity are emerging and are laying down the ground work in order to make a significant impact in the music industry. Defying all odds, the female rap duo is crossing over into pop mainstream, with catchy up tempo hooks and rhymes that leave you wanting more. Both Chrystal Moncur (skyy) and Margaret Glynatsis (believe) where born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas and through out the course of their childhood we’re somehow directly or indirectly involved with music. In May of 2004 the two opened up a recording studio and formed their own label known as BIG Productions Music Group, shortly after that, Believe and Skyy officially merged together to become NCity. Only six months after the release of their first single Calling You Out feat. TaDa, NCity has received an enormous amount of success. The single has become popular on local radio stations and a favorite among listeners. They have performed at various events and live concerts including the 2007 Dj Awards, as well as appeared in online and printed magazines such as Nu Women magazine. What can we expect from NCity in 2008? Currently the group is adding the finishing touches to their debut album “NCity”, which is scheduled to be released early summer. Influenced by the sounds and talents of such great artist as, Timberland, Lauren Hill, Puff Daddy, Keri Hilson, Akon and many more, this is album is sure to create a Pop Revolution.
- www.betvlive.com

Check out NCity in the next issue of STYLEZINE Magazine

www.diplightmedia.com - Diplightmedia

NCity Mood Is Right feat . Sketch, was featured on Dj Ntire - Crank RnB Vol.7.
Mood Is Right was a listeners top pick among such artist as, Janet Jackson, Cassie, R Kelly, Bow Wow and many more.

www.rnbxclusive.com - Dj Ntire

NCity Mood Is Right feat . Sketch, was featured on Dj Ntire - Crank RnB Vol.7.
Mood Is Right was a listeners top pick among such artist as, Janet Jackson, Cassie, R Kelly, Bow Wow and many more.

www.rnbxclusive.com - Dj Ntire