Long before he became Mayor of Hamilton, Michael Branco was “DJ Branco”, spinning reggae and dancehall records at some of Bermuda's popular nightspots.

“The people who know me well know that I'm deep into dancehall reggae. When I was growing up and putting myself through university, I was deejaying at Oasis, Studio 55. People who don't know me don't know that I have that dimension.”

Music was a significant part of his younger years, with local artists Mikey Wild and Ricky Pereira helping him develop his skills.

“When I was growing up, it was Reality Sound. Mikey Wild was a big inspiration for me. He and Ricky Pereira took me under their wing. I spent quite a bit of time behind turntables.”

These days, the Mayor of Hamilton, businessman and owner of Ptix doesn't spend much time behind the decks, but his love for reggae and dancehall hasn't diminished.

“I love music. I love reggae and dancehall, and a lot of the time people are surprised to see me backstage at Stone Love or David Rodigan. When they come to visit, I go out for my one night out of the year.”

One particularly memorable outing took him to Jamaica in 2019 for Buju Banton's comeback concert.

“I actually ran into Wayne Caines at three in the morning. He said he looked across, saw me singing all the lyrics of Buju and was like, 'OMG, I know that guy!'”

Interestingly, his connection to City Hall began long before he was elected mayor in May.

“I started playing around with music when I was 14 or 15, and then I volunteered for the sound engineering for the plays at City Hall. I've been working in that theatre since 1993. It's kind of cool. That's the beauty of Bermuda. Now I'm across the lobby in the mayor's office.”

While his professional responsibilities keep him busy, Mr Branco says his greatest happiness comes from spending time with his daughters, Madison, 13, and Isabella, 11.

“Most Saturdays you'll actually see me in town all day because I'm driving them to violin, guitar, dance. I'm a happy man when I'm with them. They are my primary source of happiness.”

Finding time for himself, however, remains a challenge.

“One thing I don't do well enough is take some time for myself. I'm always going, kind of red line.”

When he can, he enjoys golf, boating and simply relaxing on the water.

“I love being out on the water, sitting on my boat in Flatts Inlet with something cold in my hand, a cold beer. I need to find more time for that.”

Family cruises are another favourite escape, particularly around Christmas or Cup Match.

For someone often seen in a suit, he says people are sometimes surprised by how ordinary his life is away from work.

“People are shocked when they see me not in a suit. My dad is one of 14 children. We are a very down-to-earth, hard-working family.”

He also enjoys being around people, something that carries into his new role as mayor.

“My social battery charges up when I'm in the crowd. I get energised. I like meeting people from all walks and ages. There's just so many stories there.”

And while his days of regular deejaying may be behind him, the man who once spent his nights behind the turntables still sees himself as the same ordinary Bermudian.

“I'm a down-to-earth Bermudian who enjoys the same things as them,” he says. “I come from a family that works very hard and we are doing OK. And I want to help other Bermudians.”