With a force that exudes his passion for love and life, a tone that resound… Read Full Bio ↴With a force that exudes his passion for love and life, a tone that resounds in both whisper and wail, and a consciousness that, without being preachy, speaks truth to power, Nhojj has spent more than a decade becoming what some regard as an acoustic soul “genius of joy”. “I want to make the world better…one song at a time!” Nhojj says, a statement that underscores a classic soul tradition of having a “message in the music”.

More distinctive than his trademark flowing locs or striking features is that Nhojj is a songwriter who understands lyricism, a vocalist who projects his voice as an instrument, and an entertainer with a mysterious magnetism that has compelled International audiences for years. With an essence that is as sweet as it is strong, Nhojj is the self-affirming “warrior” noted in his award-winning, chart-topping anthem The Gay Warrior Song. His fight is not for power or prestige. In fact, after 6 CDs, 11 singles and an Unplugged Live DVD (filmed by Emmy-nominated director Bill Cote), Nhojj best fights for love through the courageous magic of his songs.

Nhojj’s beginnings are in Guyana and Trinidad, where he performed for the Presidents of both countries. A preacher’s kid, his humility, deep spirituality, and passion for music can be traced back to a 5-year old singing in his father’s church in Georgetown. A great student whose musical talent was perhaps understated given his natural inclination for it, Nhojj would complete a BA in Economics at New York University before embarking on a musical career.

Since taking that bold step he has shared the stage with such iconic figures as Norah Jones, Regina Belle, Taylor Dayne, Crystal Waters, and Out Poet Activist Staceyann Chin. In the summer of 2010, his music led to an International Pride Tour that culminated in Munich, Germany. At the AIDS memorial in Germany, 500 balloons were released to the sky as Nhojj’s voice soared offering the refrain I Miss U! He is deeply connected to causes that have affected him in a personal way, which drives his passion to create songs echoing universal messages of love and hope.

Nhojj’s most notable accomplishments are that he has been the “first” in several respects. He was the first gay Indie artist to reach #1 on the MTV Music chart with his same gender loving video, Love. In late 2009, Nhojj opened doors when he became the 1st Black male to win an OUTMusic Award, the Alliance of LGBT Recording Artists & Performers voted Love OUTStanding R&B/Soul Song of the Year. In spite of the perceived and actual homophobia in communities of African and Caribbean descent, Nhojj has been uncompromising in his message, leading to high praise by black media groups like BET’s Centric Soul Sessions who congratulated him, “…for delivering high quality Jazzy-Soul for nearly a decade… for being a Black history and a gay history first!”

Remarkably Nhojj’s impression into the hearts and minds of people the world over has been organic in nature. There are no major label marketing ploys or reality TV stunts; little beyond a heart that understands sincerity and gives to causes such as Lifebeat, the Gay by God Campaign, and performances at various September 11th memorial concerts. Most recently he donated the proceeds from his 2010 OUTMusic Award winning, #1 Reggae CDBaby single, The Gay Warrior Song, to The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), an LGBT Rights Organization in Guyana. Nhojj’s belief in the message of God’s unconditional love is relayed through songs like Things Will Get Better, created in response to gay bullying, especially among teens, as well as his Easter 2001 release of groundbreaking marriage equality music video for his classic interpretation of Amazing Grace.

Nhojj’s creative success can be attributed to the fact that he understands and values critical collaborations with other artists and filmmakers: from the feature Love in San Francisco GLFF “Best First Film” nominated Blueprint or Spring Rain and Dream in the TLA hit film Finding Me to the musical collaborations with Def Jam Poet ButtaflySoul and fellow OMA winner baron in My Brother. The world has only seen the tip of the iceberg for a soul rebel whose hot enough to melt adoring fans yet cool enough to win over new ones.

With new projects, such as the forthcoming video for his provocative single Adam & Steve (a song which marries spirituality and sexuality), the desire to “make the world better one song at a time” is evidenced by an unfailing optimism that is as contagious as his melodic falsetto runs. Says Nhojj, “There is a deep spirituality that flows through my work. I like to think that it creates a sanctuary for my listeners.” This sanctuary is here for people from all walks of life to share in the beauty that is a courageous love. Open your heart and you’ll find its drumbeat in his songs.

A New Me
Nhojj Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I open my eyes and look around at the place I am at
I analyze it
I realize it is not the place for me to be

I see more
So I look up
Past the darkness, past the pain, past the hurt, past the rain

Clouds that keep me over cast, threatening down pour upon my poor soul
I pray this storm brewing, stewing within,
Wouldn't catch me unprepared. Its weird I know

But I got this feeling that this ceiling
I am under will protect me then
I think

And in my final deduction I realize this construction of bad habits
My ugly little rabbits that hide under
Will keep me locked in a jail spelt fail forever protected from the
Rain

So I get up from where I'm laying, staying, delaying, always saying
I will but never willing myself to do and

I do the impossible
I stop this emotional war
All my battles are won
Get up off this mental floor
Reach for the door that opens to
Me. Beautiful and alive
Cause whosoever said that I was great... was
Right...
Is right... and will always be right
I am!!!

But wait, don't put your hands together just yet.
Listen...
Listen to the calm
It's the way our universe applauds

A new
Me

Overall Meaning

In "A New Me" by Nhojj, the singer begins by analyzing their surroundings and realizing that it's not where they want to be. They see beyond their current situation, past the pain and hurt, and look towards hope. They acknowledge the storm brewing inside them, but instead of being caught off guard, they trust that the ceiling they are under will provide protection. The singer then reflects on their bad habits that have kept them locked in a jail of failure, but they decide to get up and do the impossible by ending their emotional war and winning all their battles. They open the door to a new and beautiful life and acknowledge that whoever said they were great was right all along. The song ends with the listener being told to listen to the calm and the new "Me" being applauded by the universe.

Line by Line Meaning

I open my eyes and look around at the place I am at
I examine my surroundings and realize that I am not content with where I am.

I see more So I look up Past the darkness, past the pain, past the hurt, past the rain
I search for the light beyond the struggles and hardships in my life.

Clouds that keep me over cast, threatening down pour upon my poor soul I pray this storm brewing, stewing within, Wouldn't catch me unprepared. Its weird I know
I fear the difficulties that lie ahead, but I have faith that I will be able to handle them.

But I got this feeling that this ceiling I am under will protect me then I think
Despite my doubts, I trust that the limitations in my life will ultimately be for my benefit.

And in my final deduction I realize this construction of bad habits My ugly little rabbits that hide under Will keep me locked in a jail spelt fail forever protected from the Rain
I recognize that my negative behaviors have been holding me back, but I am hesitant to change because it feels like a safe place.

So I get up from where I'm laying, staying, delaying, always saying I will but never willing myself to do and I do the impossible
I finally take action and overcome my fear to make positive changes in my life, even if I thought they were impossible before.

I stop this emotional war All my battles are won Get up off this mental floor Reach for the door that opens to Me. Beautiful and alive
By overcoming my negative mindset, I am able to see the beauty in myself and the world around me.

Cause whosoever said that I was great... was Right... Is right... and will always be right I am!!!
I recognize that people have always believed in my greatness, and I feel confident in my abilities and worth.

But wait, don't put your hands together just yet. Listen... Listen to the calm It's the way our universe applauds A new Me
I urge others to wait and listen to the calmness that comes with self-improvement, because it is a beautiful transformation worth celebrating.

Writer(s): Nhojj

Contributed by Caroline T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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