Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Bahamas Ghetto Life & Art

On Sunday I got to Nassau... I was ready to get off the ship... They gave us until 4:30pm to make it back to the ship or they were leaving without you...


I hit the streets...I'm not a big fan of the tourist scene so I walked around looking for people I could relate to...


They told us on the ship that it could be dangerous... But I'm no coward... And I will never me afraid of my own people... I'm not rich and struggle is universal...and I know struggle... So I knew I would feel more comfortable in the ghetto than going around shopping.. I can shop in Atlanta, NYC, or LA... Nassau was special.


I ran across some beautiful street art...the graffiti scene is different in the Bahamas.. They use lots of layers and cut out stencils.... Like screen printing on walls








This piece wasn't just "street" art it had a fine art feel... It was my favorite piece I seen.. I had to shoot it.. It moved me


Everyone was asking me about my tattoos... So I guess that was a good intro to meeting the people.. A few of them had heard of me and said "Bailey your a real nigga for an American" I told them "I'm NOT an American and I don't follow their beliefs, I'm just a country ghetto nigga trying to inspire those around me. I was born there and just stuck there for a sec until I get my money right." this kid about 9 or 10 about the age of my son sold me a bag of weed... So I had to look for a place to smoke out...they pointed me to the beach and said "follow the yellow brick road" I walked through some HARD looking areas... Clearly the people were poor and I didn't see a white face or tourist in sight...they said the police don't go over there so it was a perfect place for me


It wasn't good weed.. It was brown but it would do... I never really smoked brown weed before ..I jumped on a wall with a couple of dope boys... Rolled my joint and watched the kids do back flips off the wall into the ocean like they were professional swimmers....I have video and more photos of the people on my camera so I will post them later once I upload them to my computer....


I talked for hours with the people... We talked about the police, hip-hop, America, weed, guns, life, pain, and women... They said i'm safe anytime I wanted to visit and I gave them my cell number


Posted from my iPhone

Location:Nassau

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Okay, So u enjoyed urself...Was the shit smoking or not?? I'm planning a trip soon so I wanna knw

Ms. Nia Monet said...

Always nice to read from u.....Nassau is a wonderful place when I went on my cruise we ventured to the hood too and it's amazing how down to earth ppl are! Keep up the good work hun

Lyrically Sweet said...

that's what's up, Miya....love the pictures of the graffiti!

India said...

Great Pics and I'm glad you had a great time!

-India

Anonymous said...

Damn big brother the art work is amazing out there and knowing you the imagination wheels are turing in your head. I can't wait to see what you come out with. Even the quick beach shot is not anything I see in Cali all that beautiful dark skin enjoying the water not something you see everyday here. thanks for sharing because a little is a lot sometimes and that just helped my confirm which cruise i wanted to take.

Goldi gold said...

soak up the full experience yo! Struggle is a universal language that people of color can all relate too. So you good! Salute

Anonymous said...

Sounds like an amazing experience Miya! Glad you had a good trip.

Unknown said...

Miya I love and respect how real you are in every aspect of your life...I know you work hard, so it is awesome to see you relax and enjoy yourself outside of ATL!

License 2 ILL said...

sounds like a dope relaxing trip bruh, i see you got down there and mingled with the real Bahama residents (like I knew you would) Keep on Keepin on

BGP 4 Life

Unknown said...

those drawings that youve taken photos of are nice. I respect that you venture off to see real and converse with our people... respect that.. loved this one

Unknown said...

Wow...The pics were amazing.Glad u had a good time..U are so down to earth Miya thats one thing that makes u special..U are so real thats what I so respect about u...Keep doin what u doin bruh.. U are such an inspiration:)

Nicholas "Redd" Scott Sr. said...

Hey Bro! It seems like you had a ball. Keep sending us your adventures and we'll keep reading. Today I live vicariously through your journeys. Thanks bro....and subscribe to my blog. www.reddspeaks.blogspot.com

Darrick said...

You even paint a good picture with words... Good stuff man. Like the stories and pics. Feels like i took a quick trip.

BillyOcean said...

I'm glad you were able to get away and enjoy yourself. Though I detest cruise ships for what they do to the climate and what they represent, there is something soothing knowing you were floating on the ocean and docking in different places and sharing your vibe with others. I too hope to see more beaches. The agenda is to "explore" not to "escape" because the real (the poverty, the greed, the hunger) is only a few steps away from the shore. Get out there more Miya. The world needs you.

Free said...

First I would just like to say that I am glad that you had a great trip. You of all people deserve some unplug time..away from phones, computers, and work...I'm glad you got to unplug. I would also like to commend you on not being a tourist but a traveler. You went out into the city and you listened to the people..you talked to the people...and now the people will forever have your back. We get so use to being 'protected' that we don't venture out into the real world where our people dwell. I agree with the gentleman when he said "the world needs you". Just from reading this I have learned and seen how talented the people of Nassau are.

I'm glad you shared your peace and quiet....with us.

K. Sizzle a.k.a. Kacey said...

Looks like you had a bomb time my dude....

southpeezy said...

damn..."real nigga for an American" hahaha. thats how they feel about brothas in the States huh? look like you had good travels though. thats the same shit i like to do, go where the people are.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this with us. Not only are you an incomparable visual artist, but you have a natural given ability and talent to paint pictures with your words... a story-teller in every sense.

*LaNoya* said...

What a lovely adventure...glad you got the peace you were looking for :-)

Duff said...

Yo the pics are dope. You one of the hardest workin people i know and im glad you had a minute to get away and enjoy your trip. Especially happy you had a chance to get with the locals and build with them. As always keep your movement strong and stay up. PEACE

DiamondIysis said...

Looks like you've seen alot of interesting things hope you had a great time....
Love,
Kathy,Allen,& Allur

P.I.M.P.!! said...

When you see a city from the eyes of the ppl then you have a more fulfilling experience and you get a better feel for the city that you're visiting. I'm glad that you took advantage of your experience in the Bahamas, love the pics!! Can't wait til I get the opportunity to see the Sun there.

Unknown said...

I plan to take an exodus to the bahamas for my personal new year aka my birthday...I too like dealing with the "natives" when I go to the islands...thank you for your perspective Miya

Bridget said...

Miya my home boy, you always keep it so so real. I have been there and kicked it with the my people on the beach, whatever you want. It was good food, good weed, good music and good people. It was so much fun so I can relate to you. Shopping can be done anywhere.

josedickerson said...

Peace Miya,

Brother I am in a serious need of a get away from the states for a brief moment. I truly appreciate you sharing the photos from your travels- you seem so at peace. The art work hit up throughout the city was cool and I know you appreciate the universal appeal you recieve- it's well deserved homie... You are art manifested!


Jose...mecca amaru

Sheniece said...

Solo vaca leads you to a yellow brick road of brown stuff-NICE! It's refreshing to know people around the world have the same problems but can talk them out. Black people have common sense..its not a myth.

-Windy City

Unknown said...

Nice Bro I know when I went to the Caribbean it was like a religious experience Ponti

Unknown said...

You're truly an artist. Love the pictures and it was good to that you enjoyed yourself! I love you as alway! Next time take me with you :)

Anonymous said...

Always beautiful to see your perspective on culture and the playground we call the world. It's so awesome to me how you can just immerse yourself and people are just automatically attracted to your presence. No mater the dialect or language barrier, you are truly a man of the people and I respect that about you. Way to find the art! I wonder what the scene is down there concerning community and arts/what not. The graffiti was gorgeous needless to say. So many more great adventures in store for you. Lucky us that you would be so kind to share.

Unknown said...

That was def different graffiti compared to what we see here in the states. I am elated you had the opportunity to go there and vibe. LOL to the brown stuff.