Nhojj

Gay singer-songwriter Nhojj made music history twice in the past year — first as the only black male ever to win an OUTMusic Award for his song “Love,” and then, more remarkably, hitting the coveted number 1 spot on MTV’s music video chart this month. The “Love” video is a narrative that culminates in two young black men embracing in a bed. Nhojj’s sensual vocals drive the imagery, singing, “Our thighs now meet, our souls are singing, harmony sweet.”

But Nhojj’s life’s trajectory was just as unpredictable as the success of his explicitly gay music video. Born in Guyana and raised in Trinidad, Nhojj was brought up in an extremely religious Caribbean family that still struggles to fully understand his homosexuality. Nhojj moved to the United States to attend New York University, where he studied economics. - David Michael Conner - The Advocate

Nhojj has been delivering high-quality jazzy soul for nearly a decade. A soul pioneer, Nhojj is one of a growing number of “out” Black gay performers releasing both universal and same-sex material... Soul Sessions congratulates soul singer Nhojj for being a Black history and a gay history first! - L. Michael Gipson - BET/Centric TV

I have the pleasure of hearing Nhojj deliver his pure and beauteous sound live in concert. I can testify that when this man sings, you can hear a pin drop in the house. Astounding audiences everywhere with both his passion and his message, it is no wonder this man's music is played on radio stations throughout the world. - StoneWall Society GLBT Artists

There was a time when Nhojj didn't think he was talented enough. And now the out neo-soul recording artist and songwriter boasts a number one MTV video for the hit song, 'Love'. MTV picked up his video from LOGO. BET hailed him as a pioneer in music. Now, with his melodic pride anthem "The Gay Warrior Song", indie sensation Nhojj is the artist to watch this year. - About Gay Life

Sometimes an artist comes up and surprises you. The fact that Nhojj is sitting at #1 on the MTV Music Video charts likely surprised the devil out of teen sensation Justin Bieber, who sits below him at #2. For the record, I have no idea why Justin Bieber is famous, I just know his appearance at a mall can cause riots, so I have no idea how he buys pants.

Nhojj's life reads as unlikely as his chart position. Born in Guyana as the son of a minister, he grew up singing in churches, radio programs, and even before his president. He was educated in the United States at New York University. And he's openly gay, as are the images of his video.

His sound evokes memories of Sade. The video is a storybook of young love found, celebrated and consummated. It's easy to see why people like the sound, and the story is at first sweet and touching, then sad and moving. - AfterElton

The aptly titled Someday Peace Love & Freedom by Nhojj, is acoustic soul music with a message. Addressing homelessness (“The Beggar’s Cup”), settling disagreements (“Peace”), ending ignorance and hate (“Fighting For Love,” “Someday”), and loss (“I Miss You”), Nhojj does it all with an island flavor and the resolve of church music. - Gregg Shapiro - Windy City Times

A fusion of soulful moods flecked with a joyous celebration of life and light. The musical journey on 'Soul Comfort' soothingly blends quiet storm, soul, sweetness all wrapped in a cozy blanket of spiritual awareness. It is easy listening spiked with organic layers of pure simple lyrics. - Walter Greene - NY Carib Newspaper

The aptly titled Someday Peace Love & Freedom by Nhojj, is acoustic soul music with a message. Addressing homelessness (“The Beggar’s Cup”), settling disagreements (“Peace”), ending ignorance and hate (“Fighting For Love,” “Someday”), and loss (“I Miss You”), Nhojj does it all with an island flavor and the resolve of church music. - Gregg Shapiro - Windy City Times

Categories are quickly dissolved by the fluidity of his sound. His so-soft-it's so strong and soaring voice reminds one of lullabies, though ones that work in reverse. They help gently wake you to reality rather than send you of to dreamland. - Chael Needle - A&U Magazine

A man with 4 octaves to manipulate and orchestrate, and a fine ear for melody. He sings of his journey to enlightenment, and of the empowerment inherent in embracing the whole you. By the second listening I was convinced that these are great songs, enhanced by fine arrangement and production. I'm sure our listeners will be equally impressed. - John Frame

- Queer Radio Brisbane, Australian

If Wyclef is the new face of social conscience and Arrested Development its history, then Caribbean-born, NY-raised Nhojj is its voice. What a voice. It manifests itself through his throat as a honeyed, subdued and unadorned combination of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye; it manifests itself through his fingers when he writes simple plainsong that sounds like it was birthed in the cotton fields; it manifests itself in an imagination that has created a hybrid of soft southern soul, folk and jazz-reggae. His is a voice that is as familiar as an old friend, as comforting as a happy memory, as stirring as the first flush of love. His is a voice that speaks from every orifice, hear it. - Michael Ornadet - LOGO Magazine - UK's #1 Free New Music Magazine

Nhojj stands out as the real deal, his sweet-soul approach coming across like an understated Maxwell on an album, Soul Comfort, that exudes delicacy and controlled release. The Lucky Fellow-ish Peace & Blessings has already been picked up by many a DJ, a deservedly so - it really ought to be a big early summer tune - while Dream has that under-current pull of sexiness which Urban Hang Suite achieved most of the way through. The opener Doing M’ Thing pulses and bounces in just the right amounts. Yeah, this guy could grow into something. - UK's Echoes Magazine