Nailah Blackman

Nailah Blackman (born 2 December 1997) is a Trinidadian singer and songwriter most strongly associated with the soca genre. Her grandfather, the late Garfield Blackman, also known as Lord Shorty or Ras Shorty I, invented the style of music known as 'jamoo' and is also credited with inventing soca[1] as a means of reinvigorating calypso music. Her mother, Abbi Blackman, is a calypso star in her own right.[2] Nailah is the niece of Avion Blackman, lead singer of the Los Angeles-based Christian-reggae band Christafari, and Nehilet Blackman.[1]

Nailah Blackman
Born
Nailah Blackman

(1997-12-02) 2 December 1997
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Years active2013–present

Early life

Blackman grew up influenced by the sound and artistry of the musical traditions of soca and calypso sounds. At the age of five, Blackman began singing regularly and entered her first calypso competition two years later. Her professional career then began at the age of 11. She is not only classically trained in voice but also in various instruments including the guitar, keyboard and steelpan.

Career

In 2016, Blackman performed her song "Runaway Train" for Movie Towne's Pixel Play showcase. This performance raised her national profile and helped to garner buzz in advance of her 2017 releases. Blackman collaborated with soca act Kes on the song "Workout", which became a massive hit during the 2017 Trinidad carnival season and continues to enjoy lasting popularity.[3] "Workout" took Blackman to the finals of the 2017 International Soca Monarch competition.

Blackman also released "Baila Mami" in 2017, produced by Anson Pro Soverall.

In 2018, the most popular of Blackman's songs were released, including "O' Lawd Oye", "Sokah" and "Badishh", the latter featuring Jamaican dancehall singer Shenseea.[4]

Blackman earned her candidacy in BET's 2018 "Best New International Act" viewer's choice competition.[5]

In August 2019, she released her debut EP The Reel which features the single "Sweet & Loco".

References
  1. "The Blackman Family pays tribute to parents – Claudette and Ras Shorty I | the Trinidad Guardian Newspaper". Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  2. Taylor, Sharine; Weekes, Jabbari; Witmer, Phil (3 July 2018). "Nailah Blackman Carries the Legacy of Original Sokah Music in Her Blood". Noisey. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  3. "Nailah Blackman talks family ties and SOKAH". 24 November 2017.
  4. JulianspromosTV 2018 Music (18 August 2017). "Nailah Blackman ft Shenseea - Badishh (Official Music Video) "2018 Soca" [HD]" – via YouTube.
  5. "BET Awards 2018 - Viewers' Choice: Best New International Act - Vote". BET.
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