"Caribbean Soul"



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  • Artist URL

    http://music.blackplanet.com/nhojj/

  • Member Since:

    Aug 20, 2007

  • Last Login:

    Mar 05

  • Hails From:

    New York, NY

  • Genre:

    Jazz, R&B, Soul

  • Musical Influences:

    Al Green, Bill Withers, Bob Marley, Bobby McFerrin, DeBarge, Donny Hathaway, Hall & Oates, India.Arie, John Legend, Lauryn Hill, Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye, Maxwell, Michael Jackson, Nina Simone, Prince, Roberta Flack, Sade, Seal, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Take 6, The 5th Dimension, Tracey Chapman

  • Label Type:

    Indie

  • Label Name:

    Black Angel Records

  • Website:

    http://www.nhojj.com


Stats

  • Profile Views:

    6

  • Song Plays:

    21

  • Total Songs Added:

    4


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about the artist


 


 

Submerge yourself. Splashes of Funk, Jazz, Quiet Storm, and Soul. Caress your body, mind and spirit, and float away with the voice Logo Magazine describes as “Honeyed, Subdued.” With the help of some world-class session players, Nhojj aims to create an atmosphere that is soothing, rejuvenating, and affirming. Welcome to ‘Soul Comfort’.

It all started when Nhojj was 5. Singing in his father’s church one morning, led to singing on local radio programs. Soon he was performing before Presidents in sold out stadiums, in both Guyana and Trinidad. Education was important, but after graduating from NYU with a BA in Economics (honors), this self-taught producer returned to his first love. Music from his debut ‘I’ve Been Waiting for You’ was featured at the 2001 International Fringe Festival, in the Award-wining play “The Making of the Black Man” and premiered on Audiofile, which broadcasts on 125 radio stations around the world.

Mote Mgzn wrote “Reminiscent of R&B greats Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye” on hearing his sophomore ‘Someday Peace Love & Freedom’. And The Gauntlet Newspaper concluded, “alludes to Marley's former call for one love, one heart.” OutMusic nominated the CD for Outstanding Male Album 2004, and the Fresh Fruit Festival awarded him Best Male Performance. With 2 recordings under his belt, Nhojj filmed the live DVD ‘An Intimate Evening with Nhojj’ with Emmy-Nominated director Bill Cote, and then returned to the studio with producer Sam Archer (Barbershop Soundtrack) to record an Inspirational album “John Martinborough Coming home” - a dedication to his mother.

The next few years earned Nhojj 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.

In 2007, ‘Soul Comfort’ began to emerge. “Life ebbs and flows” Nhojj explains, “but I wanted to focus on the positive, and with this project, share some ideas and have fun.” First came the bi-lingual Myspace collaboration with French/Caribbean artist Mike Ibrahim. After weeks of recording and emailing WAV files between NY and Paris, ‘Spring Rain’ was born. Nhojj continued the celebration, creating a smooth organic feel by sampling live instruments: Carl Evans on Keyboards (Stevie Wonder, Barry White); David Stark on Guitar (Rick James, Teena Marie); Tommy Aros on Percussion (Luis Miguel), adding live horn sections, live drums, and his signature style - layers and layers of vocals.

The result "exudes delicacy and controlled release" writes Echoes Magazine. In the Basement Magazine reports "A Warmth that is often missing from product today." Music from 'Soul Comfort' has been featured in Indie films, has taken Nhojj back home for the 2nd Annual Guyana Fashion Weekend, and in 2009 he will represent Guyana at the Barbados Music Awards.


 

announcements

Mar 05

Nhojj performing "Love" at Barbados Music Awards 2009

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Mar 05

Nhojj Interview on Mornin' Barbados

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Dec 18, 2008

Nhojj Joins Rihanna, Regina Belle at Barbados Music Awards 2009

New York (Billboard Publicity Wire) December 8, 2008 — 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.

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.”

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