Meet Yah Doctrine (Devlyn Stubbs) | Musician: World Music, Reggae, Hip Hop. Coordinator of The 242 Artist Network, The Bahamas

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yah Doctrine (Devlyn Stubbs) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yah, why did you pursue a creative career?
My goal as creative is to utilise my talents for the betterment of my community. Music brings people together but if left solely in the hands of greedy self interested parties, some amazingly talented artists may never be heard, and their unique messages lost to the disadvantage of society at large.

I grew up in a middle class single parent home with a loving mother and good upbringing, yet being adopted I felt an emptiness which lead me to search for my historical roots. I began to see that my immediate situation was similar to the predicament we all as African decedents in diaspora around the globe face; being cut off from our heritage and adopting another culture and way of life. Plus many of us grow up seeking to understand our identity, life and purpose with poor direction. This is what lead me to art. I began writing poetry and rap as a teen around the time I graduated high school. The ability to process my questions, thoughts and emotions, my dreams and ideas, and to be able to share my journey with others has been one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life!

As a musician and coordinator of the 242 artist network, I pursue a creative career because I enjoy making art and helping to showcase other artists. I feel a sense of duty to the younger generation. To create platforms we can benefit from by supporting each other, and our development as a Bahamian creative professionals.

What should our readers know about your business?
The 242 Artist Network is successful because we support artists from various genre’s and provide a space for independent artists and creatives of many professions to collaborate!

Consistency is not easy at times. Managing personalities and ego is often an issue however with diligence, humility and compassion we have continued to overcome these obstacles and remain focused.

The 242 Artist Network was formed in 2018 with groups on Whatsapp and Facebook and our blog 242artistnetwork.blogspot.com. Also pages on Instagram addition to our popular Youtube channel.

I am most proud of our ability to grow and connect during the pandemic despite the global shutdown.

I have learned to follow my heart, put the most high first and work hard at bettering my craft because learning never stops!

Our projects include The Nuryz Mixtape, Artjoy Concert Series, The Speakfayahself Podcast, and Roots Market; all of which uniquely provide creatives with tangible spaces to earn an income and to present local art to the community at large. The 242 Artist Network is a movement of creatives dedicated to the promotion of Bahamian Artists & their global collaborations; Bahamian creatives uniting to form live & digital platforms, working diligently to build the entertainment sector in order to enhance economic growth.

Our ventures include:

The Speakfayahself Podcast: The ‘Speakfayahself’ Podcast helps to serve the needs of the local creative community by providing a platform in which listeners can enjoy interviews and exclusive Bahamian content from our Visual artists and musicians of various genres.

Artjoy Concert Series: As Seen on Tempo Networks; It began as an open mic/live music showcase at Studio Cafe & Starbucks. It was re-launched in 2020 as a ‘quarantine’ live performance event at Bay Teas Bush Tea Garden’s in Stapledon Gardens.

The creatives involved in production include Don Dadda Media, Ju Byron, Bey Chaino, Lyric (Grace Records), Tracy Stubbs (Big Tune Machine), Anku Sara, Bobo Stall, Ubuntu, The Motion Band, Shon Pennerman of Jam Session Band, Zavaan, Evanya, Taye, & Shian.

Artists Featured: Mystro, Bobo Ike, Princess Fire, Yah Doctrine, KAiROS, Honestee, Guidance, Philandru, Tony Fyah, Rhymes B Authentic & Bahamian Trae.

Nuryz Mixtape: A collaboration with Lady_Mprez in Atlanta but originally from Florida; founder of The Suntian Nazion. This international mixtape release features hit music from various Bahamian artists and their global collaborations.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Monday: Home made breakfast, lunch at the Ital restaurant on Nassau St. Then the open mic night & with Abiyah & Crew.

Tuesday: Home made local breakfast. Outing to Primeval & Clifton Heritage National Park, also the Sacred Space site.

Wednesday: Jet Ski. Atlantis Resort Day Pass, east at resort.

Thursday: Blue Lagoon Excursion (food included), later that night Comedy Thursday’s with Sawyer Boy at The Studio Cafe (Dinner)

Friday: An Island tour of Nassau, Fish Fry for food during the day, Fire & Flow at Nirvana Beach (Live Performances) & dinner.

Saturday: Beach day at Goodman’s Bay, Movie/Lunch at Fusion Superplex (Beautiful Lake view)

Sunday: Relaxing Brunch at home, Gambier Village at night for outside music drinks and dancing at Smokey’s.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
242 Artist Network NuRyz Projectz
LadyMprez.com (Suntian Naziyon)
Babara Stubbs, Bazillia Pierre (Mothers)
Elijah & Aaliyah Stubbs (Children)]
Theocracy Reign Order of The Nyahbinghi

Website: 242artisnetwork.com, https://linktr.ee/242artistnetwork

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/242artistnetwork/

Linkedin: Devlyn (Yah Doctrine) Stubbs

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/groups/199554025046121

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLv1-PeRTtfFaMOu9UWFGMw

Other: 242artistnetwork.blogspot.com, https://speakfayahself.buzzsprout.com Artjoy Concert Series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qk6x-h8BbE Roots Market on ZNS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRD6SRnVZvc https://www.datpiff.com/DJ-RINSE-Nuryz-mixtape.1009791.html