Kerry Omar Bell is a musician from a line of creativity. His great grand uncle was the distinguished poet Claude Mckay, a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance. A fact in which Bell takes much pride. Like his Uncle, he was born in Jamaica and migrated to America in pursuit of the dream but carried with him his culture. Bell, ​was​ the leader and deejay in a band that has been recognized by the U.S. congress and along with his wife Mona, are championing the cause of dancehall culture in Las Vegas. For the past three years they have staged an authentic dancehall event titled Milk White Brunch and this year they plan to take it up a notch on September 18 in Sin City. Dancehall Report speaks exclusively with the Band leader who is also a professional electrician about his journey in music.

Where are you from?

Okay I’m from James Hill Clarendon, home of the great Claude Mckay.

How did you start out in music?

I started music in church because my grandfather was a pastor, so I was heavily involved in the choir and special events.

What is the name of your band?

The name of our band is Bonafide Reggae Band.

Where is the best place you have ever performed?

Wow the best place I’ve performed was in Hawaii with the band and an artist named Fiji. Those people really appreciate our culture and music. It’s the ultimate high and I performed in Los Angeles California with the great Wyclef Jean, another ultimate moment on stage.

Who are some of the artists you have worked with?

To name a few, Luciano, Damian Marley, Vybz Kartel , Mr Lexx , Busy Signal , Etana, Fiji , and Jboog.

How important do you think the music business is to a musician’s development?

Knowledge of the business is one of the most important parts. I wish someone had told me that in the beginning(laughs). Yes, especially in our genre, that’s why it’s very hard for some of our legendary artists to retire gracefully, but I think the younger artists now are learning the business side more and doing a lot better.

Where is the band now?

We discontinued the band and I just ventured off into more of the promotion side of the business to create more opportunities for my brothers and sisters in the business

And we formed a company one love promotions.

You are doing a party with your wife now to bring dancehall culture to Las Vegas?

Yes, that’s part of the promotion and yes we are bringing the big bad Milk All White Brunch Soiree on September 18th which is my wife’s birthday celebration too. This is the third staging of MWB but kind of the first year that we can really promote it fully because we started in the pandemic so it was kind of low key for the first two stagings. So this one we are very excited about what we have lined up. It’s a great team promoting Echovibes Entertainment.

What can patrons expect?

A great atmosphere, real Jamaican food, hookah services and the entertainment, oh my goodness we have the world team featuring World Boom and Harry Hype straight Jamaican settings, Ikel Marvelous and Flabba Dabba, the entertainment will be electrifying and Atlanta’s own ​R​ep ​S​quad. So just know you will be experiencing Jamaica in Las Vegas come September 18th.

If ​you are​​ coming to Las Vegas in the summer expect the heat, it’s a different kind of heat but for the good part it’s 24 hours of entertainment, lights, camera and action all the time.

Who are your top 5 reggae artists?

My top five reggae artists are Bob Marley and the Wailers of course, Beres Hammond, cocoa tea ,Barrington Levy , Steel pulse , it’s hard (laughs).

For dancehall it would be Beenie Man , Mr Lexx, Vybz Kartel, Agent Sasco ,and Buju Banton.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to enter the music industry?

My advice and always will be to love the music. It’s the only real way to last in this business and you have to be thick skinned. It’s not for the faint of heart, it’s a tough business but beautiful if it’s your passion.