Guyanese chart topper Nhojj climbs to the top again with his latest single, “The Gay Warrior Song.” Simultaneously #1 on both CDBaby’s “Reggae” and “Out and Proud” charts, he continues to establish himself as a fearless artist whose appeal extends to listeners across the musical spectrum.

A gay anthem grabbing the #1 spot on both charts is an unlikely phenomenon—Reggae music has unleashed much homophobia, while Out and Proud music celebrates the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community. But it is not the first time for Nhojj. His gay music video “Love” hit the #1 spot on the mainstream MTV Music Top 100 chart earlier this year. And last year BET/Centric congratulated him on being a “a gay history first!”

Nhojj first caught the attention of Reggae enthusiasts in 2003 with the release of his sophomore “Someday Peace Love & Freedom.” It addressed social ills. Many of the songs infused reggae beats. In 2005 he again embraced his Caribbean roots on his Inspirational album “John Martinborough Coming home,” recording a reggae version of the religious hymn “His Eyes are on the Sparrow.”

This time around Nhojj uses his voice to target homophobia, and donates proceeds to the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) an LGBT Rights organization in Guyana . He invokes scripture in the name “Jah” (a term for God, widely used in reggae music) as his higher authority. His lyrics offer affirmation:

Open your hearts and let Love march in
Courage will free the minds of many today
Knowing the Truth of how God made you
Just embrace your true soul
Jah said to Love one another
Even as I do Love you
Jah said Love one another
Because in Love you find the Truth
Love is the Truth

The Gay Warrior Song” is mastered by Robert Honablue, whose gold and platinum credits include Bob Marley, Santana, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, and Janis Joplin. It is based on an earlier song “Fighting for Love” that appears on “Someday Peace Love & Freedom.” Nhojj recalls, “I started writing this song 7 years ago and couldn’t complete it… but I knew I would finish it though…  one day I knew I would be strong enough to record and release this song.” Both songs are available on CDBaby, the oldest and largest distributor of independent music in the world.

Nhojj grew up in Guyana, and went to high school in Trinidad prior to coming to the United States to attend college. Before he could read or write he sang at his father’s church, and eventually on radio and television shows. Twice he sang in national stadiums – once for the President of Guyana, and once for the President of Trinidad. After graduating with honors from New York University with a Bachelors Degree in Economics, he returned to his passion—singing—and began recording. To date Nhojj has released 6 album releases, and a DVD directed by Emmy nominated Bill Cote. He is the first black male to win an OUTMusic Award.

“We are all warriors,” Nhojj explains. ”Regardless of our race, religion, nationality, sex, or sexuality, we’re all fighting to be who we are, who we’re meant to be.  That’s what this song is really about – the courage to embrace ourselves and love each other for who we are, despite the pressures the world places on us.

NYC Gay Parade 6/26/2010

Gay Warrior Song 6/17/2010

Gay Pride Tour 5/3/2010

LOGO Video Premiere 2/16/2010

Blueprint Video Release 2/15/2010

Nhojj Wins Out Music Award for “Love” 12/30/2009

New Video: Nhojj “Love” 11/30/2009

Dope Music Monday 08/09/2009

(Billboard Publicity Wire/PRWEB ) June 24, 2010 — President Barak Obama proclaimed June Gay Pride Month. In celebration and as a song of strength and hope for the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender (LGBT) community, Nhojj presents “The Gay Warrior Song,” which he will debut in New York City at The Heritage of Pride Parade on June 27.

Already #3 on CDBaby’s Out & Proud Chart, proceeds from the sale of “The Gay Warrior Song” will be donated to the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), an LGBT rights organization based in Nhojj’s homeland of Guyana. SASOD is committed to eradicating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Nhojj will perform “The Gay Warrior Song” before tens of thousands of people lined up along the NYC Gay Pride Parade route on the Glo TV float. Glo TV is the first urban LGBT Television Network of its kind in the world.

On June 19th Nhojj performed his new gay anthem in Providence, RI at their Rhode Island Pridefest; on June 20th at a church service at the historic St. Marks in the Bowery in the East Village section of New York; and on June 21st at an upper east side Manhattan awards ceremony—the 7th Annual Fresh Fruit Festival Awards at Jan Hus Playhouse.

He received the Music Award of Distinction at the Fresh Fruit Awards. The awards honor outstanding performances and recognize community leaders whose achievements include supporting the arts and the LGBT community. Special honorees included the first openly gay NY State Senator, Tom Duane, Off Broadway legend and pioneering LGBT playwright Doric Wilson, and Under the Pink Carpet producer, Tony Sawicki. This marks the 2nd time Nhojj has won the award.

The parade will wrap up a string of American gay pride performances for Nhojj. His tour covered heartland cities – Fort Collins, CO; Providence, RI; Lexington, KY; Kansas City, MO; and Indianapolis, IN, where he opened the pride festivities with an a cappella rendition of the Star Spangle Banner. On July 17 Nhojj will headline in Germany at the Christopher Street Day Munich gay pride festival.

Nhojj, son of a Minister, grew up in Guyana , and went to high school in Trinidad prior to coming to the United States to attend college. Before he could read or write he sang at his father’s church, and eventually on radio and television shows. Twice he sang in large stadiums – once for the President of Guyana, and once for the President of Trinidad. After graduating with honors from New York University with a Bachelors Degree in Economics, he returned to his passion—singing—and began recording.

To date Nhojj has released 6 album releases, and a DVD directed by Emmy nominated Bill Cote. He is the first black male to win an OutMusic Award, and also the first gay artist to top the mainstream MTV Music charts with a gay music video. His music has been compared with such luminaries as Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Sade, Bobby McFerrin, and Maxwell.

Nhojj wrote “The Gay Warrior Song” as an affirmation to LGBT people everywhere. “War is usually related to physical territory” Nhojj explains. “But today’s gay warrior is not fighting for physical territory, today’s gay warrior is fighting for mental, emotional, and spiritual territory. Today’s gay warrior is fighting for acceptance… for inclusion… for equality… and ultimately for the well being that winning this war brings.”

Nhojj this year became the first black musician to win an ‘Out! Music Award for the song “Love”.  Read full article at: