“We Start Out as Entertainers and Then We Slowly Grow to the Point of Family”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – As the nation grieves the loss of the ten Bahamians who perished in the tragic plane crash on July 10th, members of the entertainment community are left in a state of distress over the incident, as several musicians and a DJ were among those who lost their lives.

Ovadose – DJ

“I think it’s just a disbelief moment that me personally I’m in right now and probably most of the entertainers.”

He’s just one of several individuals in the local and international entertainment industry expressing their grief hours after the nation was shaken by the news of the fatal plane crash that occurred on July 10th.

Reports indicate that there were a total of ten victims on board, many of whom were local entertainers.

Unofficial sources suggest that the victims include Mateo Winder, Giovanni McKenzie, Rashad Storr and Tonique Gilot, all from The Pond Band.

Also believed to be onboard was Melvin Henfield, also known as DJ Fresh International.

The aircraft was en route to North Andros from New Providence, where these musicians and the DJ were scheduled to perform at the All Andros Regatta 2026.

Vocalist Nishie L.S. is among the performers scheduled to take the stage this weekend at the festival.

During a telephone conversation with our Denielle Miller on Saturday morning, she shared that she had been in rehearsals with the members of The Pond Band until 1 a.m. on Friday morning.

After receiving news of the tragedy later that day, she was distraught.

Nishie L.S. – Bahamian Vocalist

“This is hard. This one hit hard. We as entertainers right now after what transpired yesterday were petrified. We are petrified.”

Mateo Winder was also a member of legacy band Baha Men, according to leader of the group, Isaiah Taylor.

Taylor says when he received the news, he just left Bay Street and felt completely numb.

Isaiah Taylor – Leader, Baha Men Band

“Cause I couldn’t believe it. Last week around this same time Saturday we were doing a sound check in Milwaukee, now yesterday I got this call the plane went down as one of our members who was Mateo Winder was on that plane. And he was like a son to me.”

DJ Supa Mario says while this grief should not be described as an industry in mourning, but rather a household left devastated.

Supa Mario – Owner, Supa Mario Entertainment

“We start out as entertainers and then we slowly grow to the point of family.”