Her recently released independent EP “Necia,” a high-octane 6-song mini-compilation of material written over the past two years was nominated for Best Rock Solo Vocal Album for the 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards in Houston, Texas. "It's amazing," exclaims Alih, “Necia” was a leap of faith. It was my first project completely on my own, it came from the heart, I just did what I felt. It came naturally, and for it to be recognized this way is such an incredible reward."
With “Necia,” Alih Jey stands on fresh ground in more ways than one; she was the first Dominican artist ever to be nominated in this category, as well as the only independent record in the category for that year.
The short but densely packed album is a delicious sampling of bright pop-rock at its best, and serves as a multifaceted showcase of Alih Jey's colorful persona. At times the music is playful, at times vulnerable, at times reflective, and at times a little sly. This album plays like an open book. It is thoroughly self-expressive yet fully embraceable. "The idea was to be very free and let each song have its own world, its own personality– its own space."
Alih started out at 3 years old performing and traveling with her well-known musician parents and sisters in her native Dominican Republic. "It was like a Dominican version of The Partridge Family.” She began writing songs at an early age and at 14 she co-hosted a popular children's TV show with her older sister. Her local fame generated some ugly vibes at the all-girl catholic school she attended. Her song "Deal with It" was a kind of response to the catty wiles of her schoolmates.
Over the next two years, she wrote hundreds more songs. "It was like breathing, it just flowed out of me," Alih says. One of these songs, "It's Ok", caught the attention of well-known music producer Jorge Taveras, an unexpected chance occurrence when the long-time family friend came over to visit one day. He was so impressed with the talented young musician that he immediately sent a demo to Universal Music Latino in Miami, where she was quickly signed. The family packed their bags for Miami. "It's Ok" went on to climb the Billboard charts. She has since become a widely sought songwriter for countless projects, from translating Robbie Williams' “Angels" for the opening of the 2004 Latin Grammy ceremony, to collaborating on Ines Gaviria's debut album "A Mi Manera," nominated for Latin Grammy for Best New Artist in 2006. Other career highlights include winning the iTunes Jukebox Jury, held at the South by Southwest Music Conference in Austin, Texas for co-writing Bletzung's single "Only End up Lonely," and opening for international Latin pop star Paulina Rubio on her US Tour "Pau-Latina" in May 2005. In addition, Alih has placed songs on albums by recognized artists such as, Janina “Ya No Mas” (Universal Latino) , Ednita Nazario “Real” (Sony BMG), and Rogelio Martinez “Dos en Uno”, whose cover of Alih's song "It's Ok" reached #16 on the Billboard Charts.
Alih recorded two albums for Universal including her self titled debut "Alih Jey," and 2004's "Gotas de Piel" – named Best Album by a singer/songwriter by Boom Magazine – before severing ties and making the bold decision to go out on her own. "I love the people at Universal, but this business is tough and I was signed so young, and as I matured as a person and artist I wanted the creative freedom to explore new paths." "Necia" is completely self-financed, self-written, self-played, self-created, and co-produced by Grammy winner Orlando Vitto (Rabanes, Monterosa). "Vitto brought so much to this album. It's been so great working together, making this baby, it's been…
phantasmagorical." The title for the album came at the end of recording when a friend commented to her that she was stubborn. She thought "Perfect, that's the title," because while she wouldn't agree that she was stubborn back then, she made a conscious decision at that moment to be that way from now on.
The future is very bright for this rising young bi-lingual artist. She recently kicked off her U.S. college tour at Columbia University, has been selected to perform at the 2009 Cassandra Awards in the Dominican Republic and her single “Ingrata” reached #2 on the Dominican Republic’s rock station La X102. All in all, “Necia” brings everything together for Alih Jey; a defining moment in her life, opening up to endless possibilities for the future. "It's all about the music", smiles Alih. The music, which is very much like its sweet-natured creator: bright, innovative, winsome, distinctive yet accessible, forward-minded yet uncorrupted, and most of all, spontaneous.
www.myspace.com/alihjey
Por eso
Alih Jey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
crees que todo siempre es fácil para mí,
pero no lo es porque, no te tengo a tí,
no temo soñar, se apuntarme a la luna y llegar,
caminar vendada sin tropezar, pero tu corazón,
no puedo alzanzar.
Por eso te buscó, si tú no estás,
será que no quieres lo que supe dar,
o qué nunca aprendiste amar, po eso será.
Eres como el sol, porque alumbras todo a tu alrededor,
menos a tu sombra y esa fuí yo, espejo de tu amor,
tu fuerza tu valor.
Por eso te busco,
si tu estas porque se que aún me quieres y te vas,
será que no quieres lo que supe dar,
o que nunca aprendiste amar.
Tú me levantaste, y me dejaste caer,
ya no tienes nada que decir, el toque tan perfecto,
de mis manos en tu piel, ahora te hacen desaparecer.
Por eso te busco, si tu no estas,
porque se que aún me quieres y te vas,
será que no quieres lo que supe dar,
cuando ves amor le huyes, poco a poco nos destruyes
o es que nunca aprendiste amar, por eso será y te vas.
The song "Por Eso" by Alih Jey talks about the difficulties and challenges that come with love and relationships. In the first verse, the singer explains how just because she can "breathe underwater" and handle difficult situations, it doesn't mean that it's easy for her because she doesn't have the person she loves by her side. She may be strong enough to reach the moon and walk blindly without stumbling, but she can't reach his heart.
The chorus reveals that she's looking for the person because she knows he still loves her but is leaving. It highlights the fact that maybe he doesn't want what she's giving or never learned how to love, hence the reason for the split. In the second verse, she compares the person to the sun, stating that he brings light to everything around him except for his shadow, which represents her. She reflects on how he made her feel strong and supported, then left her to fall without any explanation. The last part of the chorus repeats that it could be that he doesn't want what she's giving, or maybe he never learned what love is, causing him to run away slowly destroying their relationship.
"Por Eso" talks about the pain of losing love, the difficulties of relationships, and the unanswered questions that come as a result of a breakup. The song is a poignant reminder of how love can be both beautiful and hurtful.
Line by Line Meaning
Porque se respirar, por debajo del agua en tu mar, crees que todo siempre es fácil para mí, pero no lo es porque, no te tengo a ti, no temo soñar, se apuntarme a la luna y llegar, caminar vendada sin tropezar, pero tu corazón, no puedo alcanzar.
I may seem confident and capable, but everything is not easy for me because I don't have you. I can do remarkable things like breathing underwater and reaching for the moon without seeing, but I can't reach your heart.
Por eso te buscó, si tú no estás, porque se que aún me quieres y te vas, será que no quieres lo que supe dar, o qué nunca aprendiste amar, por eso será.
I search for you even when you're not there because I know you still love me despite leaving. Maybe you don't want what I have to offer, or maybe you never learned how to love, and that's why you're gone.
Eres como el sol, porque alumbras todo a tu alrededor, menos a tu sombra y esa fuí yo, espejo de tu amor, tu fuerza tu valor.
You're like the sun, shining on everything around you, except for your shadow, and that was me, the reflection of your love, your strength, and your value.
Por eso te busco, si tu estas porque se que aún me quieres y te vas, será que no quieres lo que supe dar, o que nunca aprendiste amar.
I look for you because I know you still love me, but you keep leaving. Maybe you don't want what I have to offer, or maybe you never learned how to love.
Tú me levantaste, y me dejaste caer, ya no tienes nada que decir, el toque tan perfecto, de mis manos en tu piel, ahora te hacen desaparecer.
You lifted me up, but you also let me fall, and now you have nothing to say. The once-perfect touch of my hands on your skin now makes you disappear.
Por eso te busco, si tu no estas, porque se que aún me quieres y te vas, será que no quieres lo que supe dar, cuando ves amor le huyes, poco a poco nos destruyes o es que nunca aprendiste amar, por eso será y te vas.
I search for you even when you're not there because I know you still love me despite leaving. Maybe you don't want what I have to offer, or maybe you're afraid of love, and that's why you slowly destroy us by running away, or maybe you never learned how to love, and that's why you're gone.
Contributed by Aaron W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.