Guyanese-born Nhojj’s song “Love” was voted most outstanding by the Alliance of LGBT Recording Artists & Performers.
The awards said to be the “only gala ceremony of its kind in the world” was held at the Webster Hall in New York on December 8.
According to a press release Nhojj won for his song “Love”, which he performed before a packed audience with the event hosted by ‘Noah’s Arc’ star Rodney Chester and GLAAD Media Award winner Kate Clinton.
The song features keyboardist Carl Evans; David Stark on guitar; Tommy Aros on percussion; and was mastered by Robert Honablue, whose gold and platinum credits include Santana, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley and Miles Davis.
The song, according to the release, is featured in director Kirk Shannon-Butts’ acclaimed Indie film Blueprint which was screened at the 2008 Cannes International Film Festival.
Shannon-Butts also directed the music video for “Love”, which according to the release unlike many current R&B videos, is the sensitive reflection of two male college students who feel mutual attraction
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“I believe love is for everyone… homosexual and heterosexual,” Nhojj is quoted as saying, adding, “One day soon our world will acknowledge this simple truth.”
The release said that in 2004 the artiste’s sophomore CD ‘Someday Peace Love & Freedom’ was nominated for the Outstanding New Male Recording. Songs on the album covered issues ranging from homelessness to homophobia.
The young artiste grew up in Guyana and Trinidad and performed for the presidents of both countries. He began singing in church at age 5, but embarked on a career of music until after graduating from the New York University with a BA in Economics. To date he has released six CDs and an unplugged live DVD by Emmy nominated director Bill Cote. And in addition to his recording and performance schedule, the singer also regularly donates his gift of music to people living with HIV/AIDS and performs at hospices, residential facilities and treatment centres throughout New York City as part of the Lifebeat ‘Hearts and Voices’ programme.
