The Baha Men’s Grammy award winning song “Who Let the Dogs Out” is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year and the band is more than excited to announce the release of their new album. The Baha Men consists of Rik Carey (lead vocals), Isaiah Taylor (bass), Dyson Knight (lead vocals), Colyn “Mo” Grant (drums), Anthony “Monks” Flowers (drums/percussion), Leroy “Breaka” Butler (lead vocals), Patrick Carey (guitar), Jeffery Chea (keyboards) and Herschell Small (guitar/music director). After taking a few years off to enjoy the company of their families and their beautiful homes in the Bahamas, the Baha Men came out of hiding and back into the spotlight with their 2014 song “Night & Day.” Lead vocalist Dyson Knight explains what life has been like since “Who Let the Dogs Out” and what we can expect from the band in the future.

The Oracle: How did it all start for the Baha Men? Where did the band find their sound?

Dyson Knight: “The Baha Men as a band is over 40 years old; [we were] called High Voltage when we first toured the United States in 1992. Since there were other bands called High Voltage, the name changed to the Baha Men because we are from the tropical paradise, the Bahamas. Our sound is a cultural celebration. We like to keep the rhythms of Africa that climbed into music in the Bahamas. Our music means to create a blissful moment and to give thanks. We want our music to have a free spirit and use the rhythms and drums as a celebratory sound today.”

O: It has been 15 years since “Who Let the Dogs Out;” what did that song do for the band?

DK: “The song and its exposure have been great for the band, but also it has been a great obstacle. It has taken the band to many parts of the world that would not otherwise have seen. The Grammy stage was not a usual place for Bahamian bands so that was a big deal. Because of that song, we got into movies, won Nickelodeon and Billboard awards and lived in the limelight. Of course, when you are that big, people can try to change your sound. There were things that were not the Baha Men. Everyone expected another similar hit song, but ‘Who Let the Dogs Out’ is one of those songs that you do not record again.”

O: Being in the international spotlight and being on mega stages is a huge deal; how does the band calm any nerves?

DK: “I’d like to say we drink alcohol (laughs), but no we don’t. The energy is in the music. The Baha Men is like a brotherhood and the brothers comfort one another. The band is so big; it is like a neighborhood on stage. We feed off one another and that calms nerves but also gets you hyped up. I will do a dance move then someone else will do one back, then someone will do something on the drums…It is contagious.”

O: So what have the Baha Men been up to these past few years?

DK: “In 2004 we had another album, but that was the last mainstream album from the band. Many things happened that got the band a less than tasteful taste. Many of the band members wanted a step back and focus on family and friends; to enjoy the success, relax and get lost in the moment. The Bahamas is paradise on earth. We just wanted to walk on the beach, have a beer and grill some chicken with the people close to us. Then, in 2012, we ended up doing a concert for Sony Latin America. It was then the band really got back together and rehearsed. We felt reborn and had new energy back into the music. Top writers and producers wanted to work with us, people wanted to collaborate with us; that conference really changed it for us.”

O: What can we expect to see in the future?

DK: “Now that we have another full-blown album, the last song is the baby of the project. ‘Night & Day’ did really well. We feel like a bunch of dogs that were let out [laughs]! It’s more than it was before and different from our music in 2000. We incorporate tribal music now and we do not want to retract that sound, energy or drum work. We are more current and radio stations see that.”

O: Lastly, the question of the ages, what is the meaning behind “Who Let the Dogs Out?”

DK: “[Laughs] Well since we are not original writers, I’m not sure [of] the actual meaning. For the band and the way we performed it, it is as [if] we are about to destroy a party! We are about to be as rude and misbehaved a possible and just have fun! We do want to thank our fans. Since we had to start over from scratch with new management, we encourage people to listen to our new stuff and see our website. We have a lot of fun on our website and get wild on our profiles. We truly appreciate it.”

The Baha Men are anticipating the release their new album. To listen to their newer music and see their profiles, check out their website http://www.bahamen.com/.