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Dec 24, 07:15 AMNhojj Wins R&B/Soul Song of the Year and Makes OUTMusic Award history!
(Billboard Publicity Wire/PRWEB ) 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 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."
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 5, 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 6 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 centers throughout New York City , as part of the Lifebeat “Hearts and Voices” program.
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Dec 01, 02:33 PMNhojj set to perform R&B/Soul Nominated Song “Love” at the 2009 OUTMusic Awards
International Indie recording artist Nhojj is slated to perform "Love" at the 2009 OUTMusic Awards, the biggest night in LGBT entertainment, and the only gala ceremony of its kind in the world. The event takes place at the legendary Webster Hall in New York City Tuesday, December 8, 2009.
Nhojj grew up in Guyana and Trinidad, where he performed for the Presidents of both countries, and began this year by returning to his Caribbean roots performing "Love" at the 2009 Barbados Music Awards. He is proud to be ending the year performing at the 2009 OMA's, where "Love" is nominated in the "OUTStanding R&B/Soul Song" category.
Over the years Nhojj has released 5 CDs, and an unplugged live DVD by Emmy nominated director Bill Cote. He has performed at Lincoln Center, and toured the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. His music has been played on radio stations in over 125 countries.
It is not always easy for an Indie artist, especially if you're black, gay and from the Caribbean, but it's Nhojj's faith and love of music and song writing that has kept him going through the rough times.
"Love" is a song about romantic love. It is a celebration of the joy of sexual intimacy. Indie director Kirk Shannon-Butts used "Love" as the theme song to "Blueprint" - a story of 2 black men who fall in love, which screened at 2008 Cannes International Film Festival. "Love is universal and is for everyone," Nhojj says, "gay, straight, young, old, those of every faith and nationality -everyone! One day soon, our world will acknowledge this undeniable truth."
This is Nhojj's second OMA nomination. His first was in 2004, when his social injustice CD "Someday Peace Love & Freedom" was nominated for "Outstanding New 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 says of his music, "I want it to be uplifting and affirming. I want to inspire... Just as the OMA's are a celebration of LGBT music, I want my music to be a celebration of life."
Tickets for the 2009 OMAs can be pre-purchased for $25.00. Special Group discounts of 10 or more are available. Please visit www.outmusic.com to purchase tickets. Tickets will also be available at the door for $40.00.
About OUTMusic
OUTMusic is a premier 501c3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to honoring, supporting and advocating on behalf of underrepresented openly Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered artists and performers. The organization was founded by life partners Dan Martin and Michael Biello over 18 years ago to provide a safe and supportive environment for LGBT recording artists and performers. Our mission is to ensure that underrepresented OUT artists/entertainers have equal and inclusive presence in the mainstream entertainment industry. We work to put an end to homophobia in the entertainment industry and the world we live in through education, advocating and raising awareness, thus bridging the gaps that exists. We educate, advocate and raise awareness with the goal of bridging the gaps. OUTMusic work with the mindset, Freedom Of Expression IS OUTMusic.
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Media Contact:
Tim Yates
OUTMusic
Timothy.K.Yates@gmail.com or 917-684-7753 -
Nov 21, 09:01 PMBrand New Music Video - Love - Nominated for 2009 Outstanding R&B/Soul Song
Greetings beautiful people,
I'm really excited about sharing this music video with you. Kirk Shannon-Butts did a great job capturing the beauty and essence of "Love" ~ in order to obtain the slow motion effect, I had to learn to sing at double speed... lol - but it was so much fun. "Love" is theme song for Kirk's film "Blueprint" (which premiered at Cannes Film Festival last year:) A big thank you to Adrian Lopez and Houston Street Production. Let me know what you think of it:)
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Nov 16, 06:24 PMOutmusic Award R&B/Soul Song Nomination
Greetings beautiful people,
I hope this message finds you smiling. "Love" has been nominated for an OutMusic Award for Outstanding R&B/Soul Song. The Awards Ceremony will be on December 8, 2009 at Webster Hall. In celebration I've compiled all my Love Songs onto 1 digital download. Listen now...
Love & Light
Nhojj
www.nhojj.com -
Oct 16, 07:32 AMHighly recommended! - Toby Walker
When Di-Lee sent me a copy of the album last week, I got stuck on track two! The repeat button was on big time! This is a track called, simply, 'Music'. Some folks describe these songs as 'toons'. Well I am not going to argue. State of the art. Nhojj has a very appealing vocal styling and is a very competent songwriter, penning the whole show himself.
The album, overall, has a semi-acoustic feel to it's Soulful proceedings, which is very pleasing on the ear and culminates in the glorious anthemic 'Peace and Blessings'. A barnstormer of a song from a very worthwhile effort. A highly recommended offering.
Listen Now!
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/nhojjmusic
