Nigy Boy performs in Belize; donates to special needs school
Published:Thursday | September 26, 2024 | 12:08 AMAnthony Turner/Gleaner Writer
Visually impaired dancehall singer, Nigy Boy, is using his success and celebrity status not just for financial gains, but to also inspire and uplift others. The New York-based singer, who was one of the headline performers at the 10th Annual Soca and Culture Festival at the Civic Center in Belize City, last weekend, alongside deejays Mr Vegas and Byron Lee & The Frontliners with Oscar B, Lima, and Leon Coldero, made a surprise visit to Stella Maris School, much to the delight of its students and teachers. The 66-year-old government run institution is a special needs school and the only one of its kind in Belize. In addition to academics, the institution teaches cosmetology, cake decorating and agricultural science.
Nigy was so inspired by his visit to the school that during his performance at the festival, he made a monetary donation to festival co-founder Omar Arzu for the institution. Three days later, Arzu hand-delivered Nigy’s monetary donation to Stella Maris principal Francella Cantun.
“I want Nigy to know that we truly appreciate his kind gesture and his warm heart that he has for children with special needs,” Cantun told The Gleaner.
“I want him to know that our students are inspired by him being legally blind and becoming so popular and famous!! They now know that they can be like him, and are now motivated to be the best version of themselves,” she added.
Cantun said that the donation will go toward assisting the students.
“We will use the funds to buy supplies and materials for the children to work with in the skills programme. We will also give them a treat by purchasing juice and snacks for them,” she added.
Nigy Boy’s visit to Stella Maris was met with several rounds of cheers and applause as he shared his musical journey with the students. The excitement peaked when he delivered an impromptu performance of his song, Continent.
“Honestly, I was inspired by the vibe at the school and just getting a chance to meet and greet with the students and teachers who are doing a fantastic job,” Nigy Boy shared.
“I had a conversation with a legally blind student that touched me and knowing that I was in a similar position just a few years ago, I felt compelled to pay the goodwill forward” he added.
Nigy Boy delivered an excellent performance for fans in Belize and one of the highlights for him was meeting Miss Universe Belize 2024 Halima Hoy. He posted a picture of both them on Instagram along with the caption: “Looking into the eyes of the universe @halima_hoy sharing is caring.”
Born Nigel Hector in Montego Bay, St James, Nigy Boy has been described by some as “the Stevie Wonder of reggae”. His passion for singing regularly heated up social media with posts on Instagram and TikTok, which his fans embraced. The young entertainer had his breakout moment last year while still a student at university in Long Island, USA, when his single Continent went viral. Doors flung wide open for the singer, and soon it was announced that he would be making an appearance at a major reggae festival in Jamaica. Nigy Boy performed at Reggae Sumfest in his hometown in July, where he was honoured by the St James Municipal Corporation.
The political science graduate and aspiring lawyer has released songs such as Judgement, Superwoman, Living Proof, and Lover Not A Fighter.