Visually impaired singer Nigy Boy ‘ready for the next level’

NEWYORK:

Miracle baby Nigy Boy, aka Nigel Hector, whose mom was given the damning diagnosis by doctors in 2001 that her soon-to-be-born son would not survive outside of the womb, has not only survived but has thrived, even going viral on social media as a singer.

The Montego Bay phenom, described by some as the Stevie Wonder of reggae, has earned comparisons to American hitmakers Usher and The Weeknd.

Nigy’s incredible vocal talent has received a thumbs up from singer Karnium and dancehall/pop sensation Shenseea. Girls magnet, Dexta Daps, was so impressed after hearing Nigy’s rendition of his songs on IG that, this past summer, he invited him to perform at concerts in Coney Island, Brooklyn and Connecticut.

“When I look pon him, me sey da youth yah voice is beautiful,” the 7Eleven singer said at his Brooklyn show.

“It looks like the whole of his vision go inna his voice,” Daps shared with the crowd that lapped up every word that Nigy crooned.

When Dexta Daps had initially reached out on IG, he was shocked to learn that Nigy managed his own TikTok and IG pages. The blind singer was more than eager to inform that hi s phone can be controlled to a large extent through voice commands that allow those with visual impairments to read, write and post text and videos with ease on social media.

Musical talent and blindness have often been thought to be linked. Blind musicians such as Ray Charles, Andrea Bocelli and reggae cronner Frankie Paul’s successful careers have confirmed such speculation. Nigy plays the drums and saxophone but singing is his passion.

“I love to sing and I am ready to take my career to the next level” he told The Gleaner. “When I get bored, I sing. I was told to learn to play the piano, which I plan to focus on now,” he noted.

Nigy Boy continues to heat up social media with regular posts in IG and TikTok, with original tracks Superwoman, Living Proof and Single Spoil Bo. He recently dropped a new single titled Lover Not A Fighter that was produced by Drew Da Producer.

Two weeks ago, The Gleaner caught up with Nigy Boy at a rehearsal session for his upcoming performance at Blue & Bougie, slated for November 13 in New York. For the record, Nigy took the one-hour-plus train ride by himself, journeying from his college campus in Long Island where he is a junior studying to be a trial lawyer. Once he got started, the 21-year-old singer proved his pedigree. His versatility and ability to hit high notes and adapt to chord changes on songs he rehearsed was evident. He said it comes from his ability to focus intensely and from listening to R&B and reggae music.

Event promoter Jerry McDonald is confident Nigy Boy will charm fans at the Blue & Bougie shindig at the Greentree.

“Nigy is fully loaded and bursting at the seams with talent. We felt compelled to book him for this gig, given his exceptional talent. Since we announced him as a performer, we have been getting a lot of positive feedback. We see Nigy as a rising star and believe he will become a household name, not just in reggae circles but in mainstream America,” McDonald said.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com