Today the “Love” music video climbed to the #1 spot on MTV Music Top 100 chart.  This is a dream come true – “Love” has also been the #1 rated and the #1 commented video.

This is really an inspiration to continue living my truth – I submitted this video to a smaller website, and the owners couldn’t appreciate the display of homosexual attraction.  I’m happy love and truth alway triumphs in the end!

Once again a big thank you to Kirk Shannon-Butts for directing and lending images from his film Blueprint (On sale now), Adrian Lopez for editing it so beautifully, Big Rod Risbook on technical assistance, and everyone for watching and sharing it with their friends.

Love & Light
Nhojj

Highlights from the 2009 OUTMusic Awards aired on LOGO’s NewNowNext Poplab.  Below is a video clip of my favorite OMA moments and my feelings about being the first black male to win an OMA.  You can catch all the highlights at www.logoonline.com.

The music video for “Love” – 2009 OUTMusic R&B/Soul song of the year, will premiere on Tuesday, February 16 at 7 pm on LOGO’s NewNowNext Poplab along with Janet Jackson and Rihanna videos.   And next week February 23, the highlights of the OUTMusic Awards including my performance will air on the same show.  Catch the action on logoonline.com.

2010 started off in a special way for me. I found out the “Love” music video is now on MTV and Vh1 and also it screened at the Sundance Film Festival in the Queer Lounge. If you love the images of the two male actors in this video – get the film ‘Blueprint’ and see their story. Its available on Valentine’s day at http://flickeria.com

“Blueprint” is being released soon.  “Love” is the theme song for this film, so I’m really happy and proud to be sharing this with you.   Director Kirk Shannon-Butts also directed my music video for “Love” and it contains scenes from the movie.   Get it at http://flickeria.com

Buy Blueprint Now!

Even fifty-five years after Brown vs. The Board of Education, being named the first Black anything in this country is still a big deal. And so it is interesting to note…

Read full article at

http://blogs.centrictv.com/music/soulsessions/nhojj-makes-black-history/

Indie artist Nhojj was among the top winners at the 2009 OUTMusic Awards, taking home OUTStanding R&B/Soul Song of the Year for his song “Love.” After receiving this prestigious award, the talented artist took to the stage and captivated audiences with a live performance of his award winning song.  The awards ceremony was hosted by Noah’s Arc star Rodney Chester and GLAAD Media Award winner Kate Clinton. The ceremony was held December 8th at legendary Webster Hall in New York City.

“Love” features keyboardist Carl Evans (Stevie Wonder, Barry White); David Stark on Guitar (Rick James & Teena Marie); Tommy Aros on percussion (Luis Miguel); and is mastered by Robert Honablue, whose Gold and Platinum credits include Santana, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley and Miles Davis.

Nhojj is the first African American male to win an OMA, and also the first artist to win the Outstanding R&B/Soul Song of the Year.  This year OUTMusic added this award category, along with other categories to more fully reflect the music of the LGBT community.  “I hope this win leads other black LGBT artists to be true to who they are,” Nhojj says.

The OMA’s are the biggest night in LGBT entertainment and the only gala ceremony of its kind in the world.  The LOGO sponsored event drew many notables in the LGBT community including OMA Lifetime Achievement recipient Kevin Aviance, Village Voice columnist Michael Musto and LOGO personalities DeMarco Majors and Julie Goldman.

Tim Yates
TimothyKYates@gmail.com or 917-684-7753

###

International Indie recording artist Nhojj is slated to perform “Love” at the 2009 OUTMusic Awards, the biggest night in LGBT entertainment, and the only gala ceremony of its kind in the world.  The event takes place at the legendary Webster Hall in New York City Tuesday, December 8, 2009.

Nhojj grew up in Guyana and Trinidad, where he performed for the Presidents of both countries, and began this year by returning to his Caribbean roots performing “Love” at the 2009 Barbados Music Awards.  He is proud to be ending the year performing at the 2009 OMA’s, where “Love” is nominated in the “OUTStanding R&B/Soul Song” category.

Over the years Nhojj has released 5 CDs, and an unplugged live DVD by Emmy nominated director Bill Cote.  He has performed at Lincoln Center, and toured the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.  His music has been played on radio stations in over 125 countries.

It is not always easy for an Indie artist, especially if you’re black, gay and from the Caribbean, but it’s Nhojj’s faith and love of music and song writing that has kept him going through the rough times.

“Love” is a song about romantic love. It is a celebration of the joy of sexual intimacy.  Indie director Kirk Shannon-Butts used “Love” as the theme song to “Blueprint” – a story of 2 black men who fall in love, which screened at 2008 Cannes International Film Festival.  “Love is universal and is for everyone,” Nhojj says, “gay, straight, young, old, those of every faith and nationality —everyone!  One day soon, our world will acknowledge this undeniable truth.”

This is Nhojj’s second OMA nomination.  His first was in 2004, when his social injustice CD “Someday Peace Love & Freedom” was nominated for “Outstanding New Recording.” Songs on that album covered issues ranging from homelessness to homophobia.  Nhojj chose “Fighting for Love,” an original composition about a warrior fighting against ignorance and hatred, to perform at a special OMA Nominee showcase held at Fez in NYC that year.

Nhojj says of his music, “I want it to be uplifting and affirming.  I want to inspire…  Just as the OMA’s are a celebration of LGBT music, I want my music to be a celebration of  life.”

Tickets for the 2009 OMAs can be pre-purchased for $25.00.  Special Group discounts of 10 or more are available.  Please visit www.outmusic.com to purchase tickets. Tickets will also be available at the door for $40.00.

Click to Buy Tickets for 2009 Outmusic Awards Now

About OUTMusic
OUTMusic is a premier 501c3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to honoring, supporting and advocating on behalf of underrepresented openly Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered artists and performers.  The organization was founded by life partners Dan Martin and Michael Biello over 18 years ago to provide a safe and supportive environment for LGBT recording artists and performers.  Our mission is to ensure that underrepresented OUT artists/entertainers have equal and inclusive presence in the mainstream entertainment industry.  We work to put an end to homophobia in the entertainment industry and the world we live in through education, advocating and raising awareness, thus bridging the gaps that exists.  We educate, advocate and raise awareness with the goal of bridging the gaps.  OUTMusic work with the mindset, Freedom Of Expression IS OUTMusic.

###

Media Contact:
Tim Yates
OUTMusic
Timothy.K.Yates@gmail.com or 917-684-7753

I’m really excited about sharing this music video with you – it screened this year in the Sundance Queer Lounge along with other gay videos.  Kirk Shannon-Butts did a great job capturing the beauty and essence of “Love” ~ in order to obtain the slow motion effect, I had to learn to sing at double speed… lol – but it was so much fun.

“Love” is theme song for Kirk’s film “Blueprint” (which premiered at Cannes Film Festival last year:)  A big thank you to Adrian Lopez and Houston Street Production.  Let me know what you think of it:)

PS – This video climbed to #1 on the MTV Music Top 100

Its exciting to once again be recognized, my song “Love” which is featured on my latest CD  “Soul Comfort” has garnered a nomination for Outstanding R&B/Soul Song.  This is the second time my work has been acknowledged by the OutMusic association, my sophomore CD “Someday Peace Love & Freedom” was nominated in 2004 for Outstanding New Male Recording.  Congratulations to all the nominees and a big thank you to Tomas for encouraging me to submit my work:)