Mr. Program – His Legacy Will Rise!
When he burst onto the local entertainment scene a few years ago, he was considered the next big thing in music. But his career didn’t quite take off as his hit single, ‘See I Rise.’ It wasn’t for lack of trying or talent, but more so the lack of support and infrastructure in place to harness and develop local talent. While he hasn’t had the longevity of other artists, his music and name will live on although his life was cut short this morning. In the following story, we take a look at Mr. Program the artist who, as we were told today, was on the cusp of making a big comeback.
Andrea Polanco, Reporting
‘See I Rise’ catapulted Mr. Program to national popularity mid-2008. He released several other songs over the years – and although those songs didn’t enjoy the success of his hit, See I Rise was enough to cement his name in music in Belize. But for over a decade – he was peddling his CD and promoting his music. He was a talented artist – who struggled to make it big and although he had to hustle hard – he never gave up. For the past two years he was working with producer Devin Peyrefitte to make a comeback with some dancehall and reggae music. In recent months he was hitting the studio consistently.
Devin Peyrefitte
Devin Peyrefitte, Music Producer
“We were supposed to do videos. We just worked in the studio. Apart from the music we would just chill in the studio and talk about other stuff besides music trying to see how we could take the music and get it outside. He just wanted to do music. He wanted a second chance because people had started looking down on him like he was a joke that he was selling the same CD’s from ten years ago and that never stopped him. When we linked up he was like let’s make five songs and put it on a CD and I could sell ten thousand of those. I told him I was going to do that and I actually promised him like last week when we were together that I was going to print a thousand CD’s of the music that we are working on now for him to sell but unfortunately we are not going to be able to do that.”
Peyrefitte plans to release the music and help Alamilla’s family with the proceeds.
Devin Peyrefitte
“The music that we have, I already spoke with Victor who is his cousin and we are going to proceed with the project that we are working on and I already made a pledge to him and his family that we are going to give them hundred proceeds of the music – everything is going to be for them. Kareem and I spoke just now and he is going to be contributing towards whatever and a few other people have reached out as well. The songs spoke about life and celebrating life stuff like that and it hit me different then that damn he is gone now and he was saying this. So, those are the type of music we recorded and we also have party songs and the music that he and I did I let artists say what they feel or do and some of the music that he recorded for me was just about life, hustling, and get stuff and try to make a better life out of this situation.”
Peyrefitte says Mr. Program’s talent was undeniable and perhaps his biggest hit is still ahead of him.
Devin Peyrefitte
“To me, and I am sure for others, M.r Program is a legend in Belize. It is crazy because I work closely with Konshens’ manager and I posted a clip on Instagram and he was like yow this guy sounds just like Konshens but in a good way. So, I was telling him that I am working with him and trying to get him back in his feet and we spoke and he was like see what you can do for him and help him. His music to me, his voice is powerful and that is music. Every time I send him a beat like no problem he would send it back right away with projects. He was focusing and he was ready to take over again and do it right this time. He wanted to get to right and he had all his credentials in order to collect all the royalties from his music and I felt like it just came at the worst possible time when he was about to get everything in order. At this moment he is working with other producers – local producers and Jamaican producers and it is sad because he was about to get back in the scene and do what he does.”
Andrea Polanco
“You feel that there were big things on the horizon for him?”
Devin Peyrefitte, Music Producer
“Right. Exactly, you know.”
…and he shared that talent everywhere.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Area Representative, Caribbean Shores
“It is definitely sad to see him die especially under these circumstances being murdered. We didn’t realize last night that those would have been the final moments we would have gotten to share with him and it was very touching because it was real. It was raw emotions he was sharing with and the other artist that was there – they were sharing how real and hard it is for young artists out there. So he will definitely be missed; like I said on Facebook, I saw him rise because I enjoyed his song so much and I am so glad that he did that final remake for me.”
A talent gone too soon – cut short by the very violence he condemned. But he will be remembered for his talent and passion for music.
Kareem Alamilla
Kareem Alamilla, Brother of Deceased
“His music dah part of his life. What he went through in life. He bring that out in music he bring that out positively. Even with he dead now, his music wah foreva live on because he mi the envision this before it even happen.”
Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.
