Visually impaired singer Nigy Boy joins Stonebwoy, Capleton on Rebel Salute lineup
NY-based artiste makes debut
Published:Tuesday | January 3, 2023 | 1:04 AMAnthony Turner/Gleaner Writer
NY:
Twenty-one-year old visually impaired, New York-based reggae singer Nigy Boy has never performed in Jamaica. All that will change on Saturday, January 21, when he makes his debut performance alongside music giants like Luciano, Ghanian reggae artiste, Stonebwoy, Sanchez, Capleton, Moses Davis, and others at Rebel Salute, slated for Grizzly’s Plantation Cove in St Ann.
“Ladies, I’m coming home and I can’t wait to see you, so make sure to come out in your numbers to enjoy the Nigy Boy experience,” he said.
The aspiring law student at the State University of New York (SUNY) is taking his Rebel Salute assignment seriously, telling The Gleaner that he is hoping to deliver a memorable debut performance.
“Koffee, I am told, delivered an impressive debut performance at Rebel 2018. I have heard about that performance many, many times. I don’t want to seem overly braggadocious, but if all the stars line up for Rebel Salute 2023, I am hoping to deliver a performance that is similar or even better than what Koffee did in 2018 that fans will be talking about for many years to come,” the confident singer shared.
Overcoming obstacles and exceeding expectations is something Nigy Boy has done all his life. At birth, his mother was told by doctors that he would not survive outside of the womb. He has not only survived, but has thrived, and for the past two years, he has been turning heads stateside with his vocal talent. In 2021, he garnered the attention of R&B superstar Chris Brown in an Instagram post that has helped to change the trajectory of his short career and motivated him to keep singing.
“I was actually vacationing on the beach in Portland, Jamaica, when Chris Brown made the Instagram post,” the singer said.
“When I checked out the page I saw the post saying, ‘this brother is super raw’ with tons of fire emojis. It is exhilarating to know that I have managed to reach people on this level. I am even more inspired to keep singing,” he said.
Dancehall pop princess Shenseea, Karnium, and recently, Ikaya, have all raved about his awesome talent. Dexta Daps has also been impressed, and last summer, the 7 Eleven singjay invited him to perform at concerts in Brooklyn and Connecticut.
“I would say the opportunities I got to perform alongside musical geniuses such as Dexta Daps and Ikaya last year have prepared me for the big stage at Rebel Salute. I am excited about performing on Rebel Salute. It is a huge platform to have your talent exposed, with patrons coming in from all over the world. I am trying to fine-tune my performance so fans will get a performance like never before,” he said.
Asked if he is afraid that his performance may not meet the expectation of the tough Jamaican fans, the singer said: “I honestly don’t know how the people are going to react to my performance, but I’m definitely bringing my A-game. I’m confident in my ability to deliver. So come prepared to be blown away,” he said.
His catalogue of songs include You And I, Lover Not A Fighter, and Superwoman, which he dedicated to his mom. Looking ahead, the singer said he has big plans for 2023, which includes new music to be released.
Rebel Salute returns to the entertainment calendar on January 20 and 21. Its last live staging was in 2020, and the event had a virtual producion in 2021. None was held last year.
Promoted by Organic Heart Productions, Rebel Salute was first held in 1994.