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His voice is dreamy, his lyrics idealistic and his looks exotic. His name is Nhojj,
pronounced nosh and he proclaims to be “The Voice of Social Conscience.” Born
in Guyana, raised in Trinidad and a New York City transplant; this independent
artist has four albums ranging in repertoire from neo-soul to flower child. His
meditative spiritual tonality and style combined with his soft yet melodic vocals,
minimal musical accompaniment and diverse treasure chest of lyrics promoting
peace, tolerance, and universal love make him one of the most intriguing artists
on the scene today.
“My music is an evolution of who I am in my musical spirit - each CD
documents that growth” he explains. “My first CD is Experimental soul ballads
and R&B with bits of poetry and spoken word, the second is Fusion reggae and
folk; my third is Inspirational hymns, and I’m currently working on my 4th
which is Soul, jazz, and ambient. It’s how I hear the world.”
pronounced nosh and he proclaims to be “The Voice of Social Conscience.” Born
in Guyana, raised in Trinidad and a New York City transplant; this independent
artist has four albums ranging in repertoire from neo-soul to flower child. His
meditative spiritual tonality and style combined with his soft yet melodic vocals,
minimal musical accompaniment and diverse treasure chest of lyrics promoting
peace, tolerance, and universal love make him one of the most intriguing artists
on the scene today.
“My music is an evolution of who I am in my musical spirit - each CD
documents that growth” he explains. “My first CD is Experimental soul ballads
and R&B with bits of poetry and spoken word, the second is Fusion reggae and
folk; my third is Inspirational hymns, and I’m currently working on my 4th
which is Soul, jazz, and ambient. It’s how I hear the world.”
| Nhojj’s Influences….. |
Given his whispery angelic yet grounded sound, Nhojj owes much of his unique
singing style to other artists with high pitched vocals. “I was always drawn to
smooth, soft, delicate sounding voices and I still am… So, as a child I loved the
voices of Michael Jackson, DeBarge, Roberta Flack, Karen Carpenter, Marvin
Gaye, Sade, Diana Ross. My favorite was definitely Michael, I remember singing
into a stethoscope trying my hardest to sing and copy his vibrato” he
laughingly explains.
But when it comes to his socially conscious and spiritual thematic lyrics, Nhojj
also gives homage to the reggae and gospel music genre and its performing
artists. “I grew up in the Caribbean - so Bob Marley was also a big influence as
were gospel artists Richard Smallwood, Take 6, and Bebe + Cece Winans. And
as I got older I really related to the sensibilities of Bobby Mcferrin, Maxwell and
the simplicity of Bill Withers”
Being the son of a minister and also living in the Caribbean, Nhojj grew up in a
conservative yet beautiful natural environment. “My parents were big on
education, but gave us our space. So I got a chance to march to my own drum
beat from an early age - which of course bought a lot of pain which still
permeates my work today. I think my background gave me discipline, a sense
of spirituality and beauty, and a quest to learn… but most of all it gave me
compassion.”
At the age of 18 he left for New York City to continue his passion of music.
singing style to other artists with high pitched vocals. “I was always drawn to
smooth, soft, delicate sounding voices and I still am… So, as a child I loved the
voices of Michael Jackson, DeBarge, Roberta Flack, Karen Carpenter, Marvin
Gaye, Sade, Diana Ross. My favorite was definitely Michael, I remember singing
into a stethoscope trying my hardest to sing and copy his vibrato” he
laughingly explains.
But when it comes to his socially conscious and spiritual thematic lyrics, Nhojj
also gives homage to the reggae and gospel music genre and its performing
artists. “I grew up in the Caribbean - so Bob Marley was also a big influence as
were gospel artists Richard Smallwood, Take 6, and Bebe + Cece Winans. And
as I got older I really related to the sensibilities of Bobby Mcferrin, Maxwell and
the simplicity of Bill Withers”
Being the son of a minister and also living in the Caribbean, Nhojj grew up in a
conservative yet beautiful natural environment. “My parents were big on
education, but gave us our space. So I got a chance to march to my own drum
beat from an early age - which of course bought a lot of pain which still
permeates my work today. I think my background gave me discipline, a sense
of spirituality and beauty, and a quest to learn… but most of all it gave me
compassion.”
At the age of 18 he left for New York City to continue his passion of music.
Understanding Nhojj’s Music
Given the different genres through which he sings and the fresh uniqueness of
his musical and lyrical style, when asked to describe and to define his music,
Nhojj explains that “The genre that it probably most closely resembles is neo
soul because I think neo soul artists today like our Soul Mothers and Fathers
have a tradition of trying and combining new and different styles and sounds.”
He’s also quick to explain that his biggest fans are men, women, and children
who “value beauty and art and spirituality.” He adds that his music speaks to
the souls of people in society who do not fit into the norm who intimately know
sadness as they reach for the beauty that lives, dwells, and radiates from inside.
“I’ve spent a lot of time trying really hard to fit in and now I realize that’s such a
tremendous waste of time and energy - so the biggest message that I try to
send with each project is to just be yourself… nourish your spirit and your
soul.”
Another facet to Nhojj’s music is that he promotes attention to and solutions for
the ills that society tends to overlook or otherwise ignore completely. Through
his music he is able to become somewhat of an activist or hybrid activist-
entertainer who not only embraces his audience’s need to fit in but to also
make the world a better place. In fact he’s written songs in support of peace,
the homeless, HIV, and sharing love with one another.
A third component of understanding Nhojj’s music is to understand his spiritual
path and awareness. Most of his music has a meditative sound which underlies
it, that infuses his own spiritual nature and understanding into it.
He adds that “If you read or listen to the lyrics, there are the concepts and
ideas of God, prayer, hope, relaxation, reaching for goodness, homage to our
Ancestors. Even the love songs have a spirituality incorporated into the
sensuality. I don’t believe in separating the two.”
his musical and lyrical style, when asked to describe and to define his music,
Nhojj explains that “The genre that it probably most closely resembles is neo
soul because I think neo soul artists today like our Soul Mothers and Fathers
have a tradition of trying and combining new and different styles and sounds.”
He’s also quick to explain that his biggest fans are men, women, and children
who “value beauty and art and spirituality.” He adds that his music speaks to
the souls of people in society who do not fit into the norm who intimately know
sadness as they reach for the beauty that lives, dwells, and radiates from inside.
“I’ve spent a lot of time trying really hard to fit in and now I realize that’s such a
tremendous waste of time and energy - so the biggest message that I try to
send with each project is to just be yourself… nourish your spirit and your
soul.”
Another facet to Nhojj’s music is that he promotes attention to and solutions for
the ills that society tends to overlook or otherwise ignore completely. Through
his music he is able to become somewhat of an activist or hybrid activist-
entertainer who not only embraces his audience’s need to fit in but to also
make the world a better place. In fact he’s written songs in support of peace,
the homeless, HIV, and sharing love with one another.
A third component of understanding Nhojj’s music is to understand his spiritual
path and awareness. Most of his music has a meditative sound which underlies
it, that infuses his own spiritual nature and understanding into it.
He adds that “If you read or listen to the lyrics, there are the concepts and
ideas of God, prayer, hope, relaxation, reaching for goodness, homage to our
Ancestors. Even the love songs have a spirituality incorporated into the
sensuality. I don’t believe in separating the two.”
| Nhojj’s Bright Future |
So what’s in the cosmic future for this multi-talented NYC resident from Guyana
and Trinidad? Why of course, a new CD!!
“I’m in a really happy, positive space right now and I want to celebrate that. I’ve
also grown so much musically and I want to share that as well. I’ve got a few
really cool collaborations, too - one of which is with Mike Ibrahim (Hi, Mike!), a
talented artist living in Paris. He grew up in the Caribbean, too. We‘ve never
met, so it will be an internet collaboration J and he‘ll sing in Creole and I‘ll sing
in English.”
Finally, Nhojj announces “I’m also planning to start a residency at one of the
clubs/spaces here in NY over the summer, and hopefully another tour.” To
learn more about Nhojj and his music, click on the icons below.
Herndon L. Davis is an author, lecturer, and TV/Radio Host. He can be reached
directly at www.herndondavis.com
and Trinidad? Why of course, a new CD!!
“I’m in a really happy, positive space right now and I want to celebrate that. I’ve
also grown so much musically and I want to share that as well. I’ve got a few
really cool collaborations, too - one of which is with Mike Ibrahim (Hi, Mike!), a
talented artist living in Paris. He grew up in the Caribbean, too. We‘ve never
met, so it will be an internet collaboration J and he‘ll sing in Creole and I‘ll sing
in English.”
Finally, Nhojj announces “I’m also planning to start a residency at one of the
clubs/spaces here in NY over the summer, and hopefully another tour.” To
learn more about Nhojj and his music, click on the icons below.
Herndon L. Davis is an author, lecturer, and TV/Radio Host. He can be reached
directly at www.herndondavis.com
| Introducing Nhojj by Herndon L. Davis |
Describe to me each of your
albums. Compare, contrast,
and define each of them for me.
With my 2001 debut CD “I’ve
Been Waiting for You”
I wanted to experiment with
sound/music and
space/silence, while at the
same time writing very
personal poetic lyrics like one
would write in a personal diary.
I was also reading Toni
Morrison and James Baldwin
at the time. The tracks move
from falling in love, to falling
out of love, searching for more
love and finally coming to the
conclusion that first I have to
look for love within. My 2003
sophomore CD “Someday
Peace Love & Freedom” is a
reggae/world fusion with jazz,
folk, and gospel elements.
Lyrically it discusses problems
- both personal and social,
religion and spirituality,
sexuality, personal awareness
and finally hope. It was
nominated for Best Male
Recording at the 2004
Outmusic Awards. My 2005
release “Coming home” is
comprised of the Anthems,
Spirituals and Hymns that I
grew up listening to in church.
What inspires your creative
process? Life, pain, hope,
dreams, beliefs, growth, art
and artists, music.
albums. Compare, contrast,
and define each of them for me.
With my 2001 debut CD “I’ve
Been Waiting for You”
I wanted to experiment with
sound/music and
space/silence, while at the
same time writing very
personal poetic lyrics like one
would write in a personal diary.
I was also reading Toni
Morrison and James Baldwin
at the time. The tracks move
from falling in love, to falling
out of love, searching for more
love and finally coming to the
conclusion that first I have to
look for love within. My 2003
sophomore CD “Someday
Peace Love & Freedom” is a
reggae/world fusion with jazz,
folk, and gospel elements.
Lyrically it discusses problems
- both personal and social,
religion and spirituality,
sexuality, personal awareness
and finally hope. It was
nominated for Best Male
Recording at the 2004
Outmusic Awards. My 2005
release “Coming home” is
comprised of the Anthems,
Spirituals and Hymns that I
grew up listening to in church.
What inspires your creative
process? Life, pain, hope,
dreams, beliefs, growth, art
and artists, music.
What have been your biggest
challenges to date in
promoting your music?
Finding the right outlets,
venues for the music. For a
long time we weren’t sure
what genre I fit into and who
the audience would be. So we
just kept on trying different
things and combinations until
we found something that fit.
What have been your biggest
victories in promoting your
music?
All the positive reviews we’ve
managed to receive. Ron - my
agent just kept on sending
out press kits and reaction
was actually pretty incredible.
Getting an honorable mention
at 13th Annual Billboard Song
Contest was very rewarding
as was performing at The
Avery Fischer Hall at Lincoln
Center.
I had the opportunity to
support my last CD with a 5
month tour that took me to
England, Canada, parts of the
Caribbean and USA - it was a
lot of work, but I got to see
more of our world. On
Myspace - I made it to #2 on
the Neo-Soul Indie Music NY
Charts with over 70,000 song
plays and over 16,000 friends.
So its been a big struggle, but
nice things have come - I’m
very thankful.
challenges to date in
promoting your music?
Finding the right outlets,
venues for the music. For a
long time we weren’t sure
what genre I fit into and who
the audience would be. So we
just kept on trying different
things and combinations until
we found something that fit.
What have been your biggest
victories in promoting your
music?
All the positive reviews we’ve
managed to receive. Ron - my
agent just kept on sending
out press kits and reaction
was actually pretty incredible.
Getting an honorable mention
at 13th Annual Billboard Song
Contest was very rewarding
as was performing at The
Avery Fischer Hall at Lincoln
Center.
I had the opportunity to
support my last CD with a 5
month tour that took me to
England, Canada, parts of the
Caribbean and USA - it was a
lot of work, but I got to see
more of our world. On
Myspace - I made it to #2 on
the Neo-Soul Indie Music NY
Charts with over 70,000 song
plays and over 16,000 friends.
So its been a big struggle, but
nice things have come - I’m
very thankful.
| In Nhojj's Own Words. |
|
