The Gay Warrior tops the “Reggae” and “Out and Proud” charts at CD Baby as Nhojj continues to break barriers and deliver music with a message of Love.

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.

Update – 7/6/2010 – The Gay Warrior Song is #1 on CDBaby’s Out & Proud, Reggae, and  Smooth Reggae Charts, and #4 on the Neo-Soul chart.   As you know the proceeds are going to SASOD (Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimmination) an LGBT Rights organization in Guyana.

7/3/2010 – The Gay Warrior Song is #1 on CDBaby’s Out & Proud, Reggae, and  Smooth Reggae Charts, its also #5 on the Neo-Soul chart.

7/2/2010 – The Gay Warrior Song is #1 on CDBaby’s Out & Proud, Reggae, and  Smooth Reggae Charts, its also #6 on the Neo-Soul chart.

6/30/2010 – GWS is #1 on CDBaby’s Out & Proud and Smooth Reggae Charts, #2 on the Reggae Chart, and #8 on the Neo-Soul chart.

If you haven’t downloaded The Gay Warrior – I invite you to click the link below and download it today.  You’ll be helping out a great cause.

Sometimes living and loving requires the courage and strength of a warrior. I started this song 7 years ago, but I wasn’t mature enough to complete it. I’m thankful that now I’ve grown enough to allow this message to flow through me. I hope it inspires and affirms you.

I’m donating the proceeds to SASOD (The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination) – an LGBT Rights organization in Guyana, the country I grew up.

I hope you will support this song by clicking the link below.

Love & Light

Nhojj

I have to tell everyone about this book because I love it… I’ve known Anton Nimblett for some time now and I’ve read a lot of his work, but this book just blew me away… I couldn’t put it down – its magical and poetic and beautiful – its like a juicy trip to the Caribbean with rich characters and stories that titillate and tantalize and surprise. Get this book now:)

Mike Ibrahim wrote “Spring Rain” which is featured in the film “Finding Me”. This picture was taken last summer in the east village, when Mike & I met for the first time.  He’s now signed with Polydor/Universal France, so look out for him in the record stores soon:)

Nhojj & Mike Ibrahim in NYC

New York, NY (Billboard Publicity Wire) March 5, 2009 –”I like to think of style this way,” says Nhojj. “Fashion is what you wear. Style is what you exude. For a performer, style is that part of yourself you share with your audience. What I share is my Caribbean roots. It’s part of me. It’s part of my music. It’s one part sensual, one part spiritual, and one part joyful. I call it Caribbean Soul.”

Nhojj tapped the talents of Maxwell stylist, Kirk Shannon-Butts, for his recent Barbados Music Awards performance. “I’ve always been a huge admirer of Maxwell.” The singer says, “His style is smooth, elegant and authentic. It distinguishes him as an artist. I wanted to bring this sense of style and individuality to my BMA performance so I contacted Kirk. He orchestrated the style for the Maxwell 2008 Tour.”

For his performance Nhojj wore a white suite from French designer Sonia Rykiel’s Homme Collection, with a vintage orange shirt and Valentino shoes. The picture of Nhojj playing his guitar, shrouded in a blue spotlight, along with his soaring vocals, brought cheers from the audience, which included Lifetime Achievement Award recipients Square One and former American Ambassador Mary Ourisman.

The Barbados Advocate Newspaper reported that Nhojj “definitely made an impact on his audience with his voice, his lyrics and his personality.”

Within hours, the popular CBC TV show Mornin’ Barbados scheduled Nhojj as a guest. On the live taping, the singer/songwriter discussed his latest CD “Soul Comfort”, the BMA’s, and then serenaded host Cassandra Samuel with an acoustic unplugged version of “Love.” “Wow!” she exclaimed at the end, and broke into spontaneously applause. “Remember the name,” she said, “because he is going places.”

For the morning show, Kirk chose vintage black tux jacket and pink t shirt by African designers Bebenoir. The whole affair was overseen by Carib News Editor Walter Greene, who heard Nhojj performing in New York City and invited him to sing at Guyana Fashion Weekend 2008, where he introduced Nhojj to BMA producer Ronnie Morris.

Nhojj has recorded 4 CDs and a live DVD filmed by Emmy-nominated director Bill Cote. His voice has been described as “A honeyed, subdued and unadorned combination of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye,” UK’s LOGO Magazine, and “A voice that wraps the body and soul,” Italy’s Acid Jazz Magazine.

He topped the NY Indie Charts in 2007 with his unique brand of Caribbean Soul, spending a total of 37 weeks as #1 artist in the Fusion, Neo-Soul, Nu-Jazz, Healing, Easy listening and Gospel categories on MySpace, and received honorable mention at the 13th and 14th Annual Billboard Songwriting Contest.

Having started his musical journey at the age of 5 singing in his father’s church in Guyana, Nhojj speaks with humility when referring to his recent successes. “The whole experience in Barbados was beautiful and I am thankful for each blessing. Experiences like these encourage and strengthen my faith and I hope it inspires others to live their truth.”

I had a great time talking with Cassandra on Good Morning Barbados TV, I didn’t enjoy getting up at 4:30 AM to videotape the show… lol, but the experience was truly amazing. A big thank you to Ingrid:)

A big thank you to Nigel and Alyson for this article in the Barbados Advocate – Nigel did an awesome photo shoot and then I sat down and spoke with Alyson.  We spoke about my influences, the experience of performing at the 2009 Barbados Music Awards and my latest CD “Soul Comfort”

Nhojj Article in the Barbados Advocate Newspaper - Click to Read

The Barbados Music Awards was such a magical night. R&B legend Regina Belle was sitting in the audience (I heard she took a picture of me while I was performing). A big thank you to Walter Greene and Ronnie Morris for making this happen, and for Kirk Shannon-Butts for great styling.

A huge thank you to Carib News Entertainment editor Walter Greene for listening to my CD “Soul Comfort” and interviewing me for this article. Walter Greene invited me to Guyana Fashion Weekend 2008 which led to me performing at the 2009 Barbados Music Awards.

Nhojj Carib World News Article - Click to Read