Guyanese on the rise

This is Nhojj, who kinda looks like Eddie Grant, could be his long lost son :)

This is from Kaieteur News

Wins US 2009 Outstanding R&B/Soul Song Award

Singer Nhojj

Singer Nhojj, a US-based Guyanese who performed at Guyana Fashion Weekend 2008 had much to celebrate this past Christmas.
His song ‘Love’ has won the 2009 OutMusic Award for Outstanding R&B/Soul Song of the year. Those in the music business have opined that Guyanese should be proud of this recognition as “This marks the first time that a Black male has won any OutMusic Award”.
According to a Billboard Publicity Wire/PRWEB dated December 23, 2009 – “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 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.”
The category along with others was added to the ceremony this year to fully reflect the music of the minority (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 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.
In 2004, Nhojj’s sophomore CD “Someday Peace, Love & Freedom” was nominated for OUTStanding New Male 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 grew up in Guyana and Trinidad, where he performed for the Presidents of both countries. He began singing in church at the age of five, but didn’t embark on a career in music until after graduating from NYU with a BA in Economics.
Earlier this year he returned to his Caribbean roots and performed “Love” at the 2009 Barbados Music Awards.
To date Nhojj has released six CDs and an unplugged live DVD by Emmy nominated director Bill Cote. He has performed at Lincoln Center, and toured the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom.
In addition to his recording and performance schedule, Nhojj regularly donates his gift of music to people living with HIV/AIDS. He performs in hospitals, hospices, residential facilities and treatment centres throughout New York City, as part of the Lifebeat “Hearts and Voices” programme.