Nhojj Interview (Stars on the Rise Feature)

I wanted to interview Guyanese-born, openly-gay singer Nhojj because his music is very soothing, relaxing and I love his voice. Also I wanted to introduce the Caribbean audience to him. I don't think in perusing the Internet that I have ever seen his name on any Caribbean site. Though to be fair one does not automatically think "Caribbean" upon listening to his music. His popularity within the gay community is on the rise due to his same gender music and of course the awesome voice. So, in keeping with our theme "Stars on the Rise" please read on to see what he thinks of his journey to the top.



1. What does success mean to you?
Success is being able to do what I love to do – create music. Success is creating music that moves and touches people. Success is receiving emails and comments saying that my music made a difference in someone's life – even if its a small one. Success is getting better and better at being a human being. Success is staying happy regardless of what is happening around.


2. What do you want to achieve in your field?
I want to raise the visibility and respect of LGBT artists in the music industry and help bridge the gap that exists between heterosexuals and homosexuals. I want to be a good role model for LGBT youth. We are all God's children.


3. What is the greatest sacrifice you have made so far in your career?
The biggest sacrifice I've made is giving up the sense of security that most people feel when they have a career that is tried and tested. If you go to Med school and study hard, you can rest assured that you can live comfortably for the rest of your life. If you become a musician – there isn't that feeling of assurance. I've given up that sense of security in order to gain personal fulfillment.


4. Though you already have a loyal following, do you ever fear that you won’t make it big?
I want to be happy and live my truth and I want to create music that I feel is worth making. If that takes me to super stardom – that's great, if it doesn't I'm still happy because my satisfaction has to come from within. Celebrities come and go, sometimes rather quickly – I don't want to spend my life chasing something so fleeting. I want to spend my life and energy nourishing my spirit.


5. What makes you stand out in your field?
We're all unique and special and I believe that anyone who focuses on those aspects of their nature will stand out in their field. I believe its about nurturing your own private genius. And I believe that is what has allowed me to stand out – I've worked hard at staying true to who I am and not hiding those parts of me that seem different.


6. What is the best piece of advice you have been given and who was it from?
Focus on the things you want and dream big everyday – I read it in Jack Canfield's book “Success Principles.”


7. What advice do you have for anyone trying to make it in your field?
Read everything you can, work at getting better and better at your craft, and of course dream big everyday.

...and don't forget to click HERE to read Nhojj's answers to our 20 Questions!

Nhojj is #1 on MTV Music Top 100!!!!!

Yay! Nhojj has just made it to the number one spot on MTV Top 100 most viewed videos. He beat out artists like Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Justin Beiber, Rihanna, Britney Spears and more.


Photo source


OK. I'm gonna list the top five just so you know how big a deal this is.
1. Nhojj- "Love"
2. Justin Beiber/Ludacris- "Baby"
3. D. Willz- "Cashed My check"
4. Ke$ha feat 3OH!3- "Blah Blah Blah"
5. Colette Carr- "Back It Up"

Click HERE to see for yourself and watch the vid on MTV

www.nhojj.com

Nhojj scoring series of firsts with his "Love"

Guyanese-born Nhojj made OUTMusic Awards history when his ballad "Love" was voted 2009 Outstanding R&B/Soul Song of the Year by The Alliance of LGBT Recording Artists & Performers. This marks the first time an African American male has won an OMA. The song is features in the movie Blueprint and now is set to premiere tonight at 7PM 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.



NHOJJ ONLINE
http://www.myspace.com/NHOJJ
http://www.reverbnation.com/NHOJJ



ABOUT BLUEPRINT
Blueprint

USA, 2007, 75 Minute Running Time
Genre/Subjects: Black / African American, Coming Out, Drama, Gay, Youth
Program: U.S. Features
Language: English

DIRECTOR: Kirk Shannon-Butts

Keith is a reserved, straitlaced transplant to New York City from Los Angeles; Nathan is a street-smart, potsmoking Brooklynite who lives on the edge — or so he’d like Keith to believe. At first glance, nothing about these two young African American college students suggests romantic compatibility. But a casual courtship gradually develops amidst minor bickering and disagreements — those familiar interstices inside which nascent love restlessly takes shape.
After a chance meeting in a Harlem coffee shop — in which Keith dismisses hip hop as mere pop music while Nathan defends it as the reflection of a society — the two embark on a first date to the countryside on Nathan’s motorcycle. Pot is inhaled, skinny-dipping ensues and love continues to grow despite more fights and setbacks. But Blueprint is more concerned with the quiet, contemplative moments of this blossoming romance than with stealth sex and simmering anger. There is messiness in Keith and Nathan’s union, but it is more defined by their quiet admiration for one another than their quarreling. In his feature debut, Kirk Shannon-Butts serves up an achingly observant slow burn that, as its title suggests, serves as a plan of action that can be used as a guide to the future. Equal parts urban valentine — its scenes of Harlem street life are both ravishing and real — and pastoral romance, redolent of Kelly Reichert’s transcendant indie delight Old Joy, Blueprint is a winsome tribute to self-discovery and young love. — ANDY BAILEY

Source


LOGO ONLINE

Nhojj makes history as first black male winner of OUT Outstanding R&B Soul Song of the Year!!!

New York based, Guyanese Indie aritist Nhojj made OUTMusic Awards history when his ballad “Love” was voted 2009 Outstanding R&B/Soul Song of the Year by The Alliance of LGBT Recording Artists & Performers. Why? Because this is the first time an African American male has won an OMA.

Read about it in this Billboard Article:

Indie recording artist Nhojj made OUTMusic Awards history when his ballad “Love” was voted 2009 Outstanding R&B/Soul Song of the Year by The Alliance of LGBT Recording Artists & Performers. This marks the first time an African American male has won an OMA. The Logo sponsored event was held December 8, 2009, at the legendary Webster Hall in New York City. It is the biggest night in LGBT entertainment, and the only gala ceremony of its kind in the world.
Nhojj is also the first artist to win the OUTStanding R&B/Soul song of the year. OUTMusic added this and other categories to the ceremony this year to more fully reflect the music of the LGBT community. After his win, the singer/songwriter took the stage performing “Love” before an audience including OMA Lifetime Achievement recipient Kevin Aviance, Village Voice columnist Michael Musto, LOGO personalities DeMarco Majors and Julie Goldman among many other notables in the LGBT community. The ceremony was hosted by Noah’s Arc star Rodney Chester and GLAAD Media Award winner Kate Clinton.

“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 by Robert Honablue, whose Gold and Platinum credits include Santana, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley, and Miles Davis.

Director Kirk Shannon-Butts featured "Love" in his highly acclaimed Indie film "Blueprint,” which screened at 2008 Cannes International Film Festival, and also directed the music video “Love.” Unlike many current R&B music videos, it is the sensitive reflection of two male college students who feel a mutual attraction toward each other. "I believe love is for everyone... homosexual and heterosexual" Nhojj says, "One day soon our world will acknowledge this simple truth."

Read the rest of the Billboard Article HERE!

Congrats to Nhojj on this historical achievement. His music is truly all-embracing and quite soothing to the soul! Here take a look and listen.