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.

New York (Billboard Publicity Wire) Guyanese soul singer Nhojj heads to the 4th Annual Barbados Music Awards on January 4, 2009 to perform his sensual ballad “Love.” The ceremony will be held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre in Barbados, and will be viewed globally via live web broadcast.

Nhojj will share the spotlight with Square One (Lifetime Achievement Award recipient), Regina Belle (International Lifetime Achievement Award recipient), and 111 nominees including Rihanna, T.I, and Krosfyah. The BMA’s honor the best in Caribbean and International Music, and attract recording industry leaders as well as visitors from around the world.

BMA producer Ronnie Morris invited Nhojj after hearing him sing “Love” at Guyana Fashion Weekend ’08 – a performance that brought explosive applause from the closing night’s audience. Attendees included the American Ambassador, GFW president Sonia Noel, BET host Abiola Abrams, and “Amen” sitcom actress Anna Maria Horsford. Walter Greene, host of the event and editor of the weekly New York Carib News, wrote “Nhojj is on the cusp of becoming a household name.”

At age 5 Nhojj began his musical journey singing choir hymns in his father’s small church in Guyana. Now he writes and records his own songs. Lyrics to “Love” are provocative–”I want to see you nude in the moonlight”–quite a jump from “The Lord’s Prayer,” one of his childhood favorites.

“It’s not so much of a jump,” Nhojj explains. “The nude body is a creation of God, a thing of beauty. I want my music to tap into that beauty. I want it to be positive and affirming–to be joyful.”

In recording “Love” for his new release “Soul Comfort,” Nhojj utilized the work of pianist Carl Evans (Stevie Wonder, Barry White) and percussionist Tommy Aros (Luis Miguel). “Love” is featured in the Indie film “Blueprint” which screened at over 30 International Film Festivals this year, including the Cannes Film Festival. A music video is in production with “Blueprint” director Kirk Shannon-Butts.

It wasn’t always smooth sailing for Nhojj. He slowly ventured into the music business only after graduating from New York University with a BA in Economics. “For a long time I didn’t believe I was good enough,” Nhojj explains. “I would always compare myself to others – fear is paralyzing.” He credits friends, family, and meditation for giving him courage to face his fears and begin writing and recording. Now with 4 CDs under his belt, and a live performance DVD filmed by Emmy nominated director Bill Cote, Nhojj feels ready to share his brand of Caribbean Soul with the world.

“Music for me is about connecting with the audience in a deep way,” Nhojj reflects, “when the mood is right and the spirits descend – we all feel the euphoria, its like fireworks – I’m really looking forward to this experience… to putting a smile on everyone’s face.”

This was a wonderful surprise, not only did the give me a review and article, they included “Doing m’ Thing” in the compilation CD that was inserted to the magazine. Thank you Acid Jazz Italy:)

Nhojj article in Acid Jazz Italy - Click to Read

Nhojj Acid Jazz Italy - Click to Read

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

“Nhojj delivers his sweet soul stylings in a stripped down format, featuring his acoustic guitar and unique, range-defying vocals in live renditions of songs from his latest album, Soul Comfort, and discusses his life and music with host Nicole Januarie.”   Produced by Dan Sheehan and David Pallant, Bergen Community College.   (Bergen Bulldog)

Listen to the Podcast

“Determined to focus on the positive aspect of the soul, award winning jazz/soul artist Nhojj has given us a wonderful helpling of soul food with his latest release ‘Soul Comfort’.   Nhojj earned the #1 position on the Neo-Soul, Fusion, Nu-Jazz, Healing, Easy listening, and Gospel Myspace Indie NY Charts for a total of 31 weeks, and honorable mention at the 13th and 14th Annual Billboard Songwriting Contest.  Music from ‘Soul Comfort’ has been featured in Indie films, has taken Nhojj back home for the 2nd Annual Guyana Fashion Weekend…”  by Mut Asheru from the Unsigned Magazine.

Read the Article

Guyana Fashion Weekend 2008 was pretty amazing.   The designs were innovative and reflected the rich culture and heritage, and it felt really good to be back home - enjoying good food, weather, family and friends.    A big thank you for Walter Greene and Sonia Noel.

Nhojj performing at Guyana Fashion Weekend 08

Nhojj performing at Guyana Fashion Weekend 2008

I also want to say hi to some of my new friends BET host/Author Abiola Abrams, Film maker and Glamour Magazine Marketing Editor Kirk Shannon-Butts, Actor/model Hector Lincoln, TV Producer/Recording Artist Ronnie Morris, and Photographer/Model Nigel Wallace.  You can catch some of the pics of us having fun by following the links below:)

More Pictures
www.flickr.com/photos/nhojj/sets/72157608543572627/
www.flickr.com/photos/keepitlocal/sets/72157608170047142/
www.flickr.com/photos/abiolatv/sets/72157607840535095/

On behalf of the Student Operated Press…..

Chase Von: Nhojj, this is a true pleasure! So on behalf of the Student Operated Press and myself I really want to thank you! When I got that music gift from you I figured why not ask him for an interview? Worst case scenario he’s too busy, so I was pleasantly surprised when you wrote back and said let’s do it! So again thanks for sharing yourself with our readers!

Nhojj: Thank you so much for extending the invitation – things have been really busy this year with the release of the new disc Soul Comfort but this has always been my dream, so I’m counting my blessings.

Chase Von: You’ve led a very interesting life! Growing up in Guyana and then moving to Trinidad and Tobago before making your way to the U.S. and New York. I’ve read your father was a Minister and you began singing in church at the mere age of six with your sister also playing the organ as well! And that you were appearing on radio stations and eventually even performed for the presidents of Guyana and Trinidad!

Read the Article

The performance was so much fun – Atlanta is the place to perform, the audience gave nothing but love to me and my acoustic soul. I did a cover of India.Aries “Brown Skin” – such a great song (I wish I wrote it:)

I had so much fun chatting with Walter Greene.  I am honored that he took the time to talk to me about my lastest CD “Soul Comfort” and what it was like growing up in Guyana.  Walter Greene is editor at Carib News and kindly invited me to perform at the Guyana Fashion Weekend 2008.  Thank you Donna Dove for connecting us.

Listen to Interview