Michelle Sylvester, Nehilet Blackman have their say

Both women have years of musical experiences and accolades preceding their 2017 collaboration.

Many of us will remember Michelle as a soca sensation, the genre that birthed her first persona as a performer and songstress. In 2005, she walked away with the International Groovy Soca Monarch title for her hit “Somebody Sleeping In Your Bed” (written by Nadia Batson). Despite her years of initial success and popularity in the soca arena, Michelle says, “My soca past does not define who I am now.” Eight years ago, she gave herself over to her faith and she says within that time, her life has taken a more uplifting and positive journey. She is also a woman who values family as much as her faith, and describes herself firstly as a mother, as well as the eldest of four siblings.

Nehilet says she is a singer, songwriter, and musician who has transformed the face of the local gospel landscape as we have come to know it. “Though jamoo is the style created by my father, over the years I have added my own spice to this long-accepted and well-loved indigenous brand of gospel music,” she says proudly of the ways she has taken the late icon’s musical stylings and shaped them to reflect her own unique flair of singing and performing. Ras Shorty I is credited as the creator of the earliest forms of soca music, and was a beloved calypsonian and role model to masses of TT nationals at home and abroad.

Jamoo is an offspring of both calypso and soca, with Afro-inspired beats that may inspire you to move and dance while giving worship. Even for those who may not be religious or follow the teachings of Jehovah specifically, the genre is uplifting through its messages of faith and goodness interlaced with musical production that is reminiscent of classic local hits, both past and present.

“We Say”, the duet’s early 2017 release, keeps things in the family. Nehilet points out that production of the track was supplied by her brother, another heavy-hitter and experienced artiste on the local music scene, Isaac Blackman. In fact, most of Nehilet’s past radio hits have been produced by Isaac, a familial connection that is translated through the wholesome messages of togetherness, love, and acceptance in her lyrics. Family is never far from Nehilet’s work and she also attributes her origins in the critically acclaimed family band, The Love Circle, to the solid jamoo foundation she now has.

Michelle says the inspiration for “We Say” (which can be heard on YouTube) came simply from her enshrinement in christianity and “understanding and believing what the word of God says and experiencing simple things like peace in the midst of day-to-day trials and life as we know it.” The hook of the song preaches, “We say nobody” in homage to the “Most High”, with nobody else being deserving of “the honour and glory and praise,” Michelle elaborates.

Nehilet describes the collaboration as a powerhouse between the “Queen of gospel soca” and the “Queen of jamoo” and also references the undeniable soca influence in the song. While it is a song of praise, it is also a piece of work that can be enjoyed by anyone with an appreciation for our local genres of music and songwriting. “The blend of jamoo and soca in this collaborative effort is what the country and gospel world need at this time,” she says, referring to the current Carnival climate as well as the spike of hard times our nation has been seeing in recent months. “We Say” is a blend of Trinbagonian culture with a spiritual message of hope and reverence.

In their description for the musical offering, the ladies agree Michelle’s distinctive contralto is the perfect complement to Nehilet’s iconic and trademark soulful jamoo tone, “that at times seamlessly merge the two into one voice.” It’s true: at times, the songstress’ harmonies on the track create the audio illusion of one powerful female voice. They hope the song will have positive impact on both radio and society and remind listeners that virtuous messages of song can be presented through genres and musical influences that many attribute to more “jammin” lyrics.

They say, “The energy and vibrancy of ‘We Say’ serve as the perfect platter for the message in the lyrics: nobody and nothing compares to God!” They also boast that nothing compares to their masterpiece, and urge, “It’s here. Be ready! ‘We Say’!”