What are the chances of a born and bred Midwestern female from a midwestern family becoming a reggae dancehall deejay? (Jamaican rapper) Pretty slim! But the story of Zerby is nothing short of sensational. With a lot of guts, determination and talent, she defied the odds and has proven that she can “bust a mic” just as well as a Jamaican yardie. She threw herself into a world of the unknown and learned the know-how, survived, and has become the next female deejay sensation. Zerby’s lyrics include a broad range of topics from make-you-move dancehall to cultural lyrics that exercise your brain.
Nicole Williams was born in Ludington, Michigan on August 28, 1978. She spent all of her childhood in a town called Hudsonville. While she growing up there, she learned how to master many musical instruments including the piano, trumpet and bass guitar.
While she was attending Central Michigan University as a music major, she met up with the “Ark” band, who she went out on the road with as their new found member. “I linked up with them one night and played all the trumpet lines with their trombone player.” They then asked me to go on the road with them and I accepted. I didn’t want to sit in school; I wanted to travel around.” So that she did. Nicole moved with the “Ark” band to Columbus, Ohio, and found herself traveling all over the midwest and south as the trumpet player for the band. But because of artistical differences between rival siblings that continuously tormented the band, Nicole decided to leave.
Soon after the split-up, she met the “Ark’s” ex-lead singer (before she was a member), Ras Shaggai, and decided to help him form a new band entitled, “Liviration.” Her membership lasted three years with the group. During that period several things changed in Nicole’s life. First, she relocated to Youngstown, Ohio. Then “Liviration” recorded their debut E.P. “Liviration Posse,” which was released by the “Conscious Vision” label. After a year of touring the midwest as the band’s keyboard player, “Liviration” members Zerby and Ras Shaggai decided to pack up and move to St. Croix. In St. Croix, they played many local clubs including the Moonraker in Christiansted, where they performed for a standing room-only crowd every weekend, as well as toured the U.S. and headlined such shows as the Detroit State Theater. Later, Nicole decided to venture out to Jamaica and seek out her long awaited love-Dancehall Deejaying.
On her own, with her new found identity ZERBY (a coined name give to Nicole by Ras Shaggai) booked her own studio time at the famous Penthouse Studios in Jamaica. She soon linked up with George from the Firehouse Crew and produced her own collaboration tune with DJ Easy Fresh entitled, “Culture Shock.” This was released on the C&G label and was distributed by the Tuff Gong music group. Next to follow was her second single “Mash Up,” which was released on the Firehouse label.
Zerby has worked with many producers such as Sly Dunbar, Steelie and Clevie, and Bobby Digital to name a few. She has performed with several sound systems in Jamaica and received an overwhelming response at Star Wave, Beach Bash, the Mirage nightclub and Godfathers Night Club in Kingston, Jamaica. She has shared the stage with deejay greats like Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Spragga Benz and the great Beres Hammond.
In 2007, Zerby scored a spot on the movie soundtrack Mo starring Eric Per Sullivan (of Malcolm in the Middle fame) with her song “Boast.” She also had her hit single “Damage” featured on ABC’s Ugly Betty Television show episode entitled “A Tree Grows in Guadalajara.” There is no doubt that Zerby’s positive influence and talent is opening many doors for reggae music.
Zerby now has a catalogue of over 400 original songs. Please look out for Zerby's latest album Ready Now later this year!
Odds defier, talented writer, island lover...Zerby you are officially Lime certified!!!
Q&A
1. Can you tell us about your introduction to Reggae music and its influence on your life?
I was first exposed to reggae in college while attending Central Michigan University. I fell in love with the drum and bass and the expectation that reggae commands conscious lyrics. Before hearing my first reggae band, the ARK band, which I joined and toured with as their trumpet player, I listened to the Police, especially Reggatta de Blanc.
2. Have you ever had an embarrassing moment on stage?
I have had unrehearsed moments happen, but smoothed them over. Nobody noticed.
3. What has been your greatest accomplishment so far?
I really loved playing "Star Wave" and "Beach Bash" live in Jamaica. I had so many odds against me. "Star Wave" is on my first album (2006 Zerby) and "Beach Bash" is on the new album, "Ready Now," out at the end of this year.
4. If you were a car what make would you be?
A Honda hybrid!
5. If your life had a theme song what would it be?
"Down so Long," the Sting remake!
6. If you could have dinner with any three persons who would you pick and why?
1.The Prime Minsiter of Jamaica to negotiate ways to alleviate the massive amount of poverty and crime in Jamaica - Think Vybes Kartel's "Emergency" on the Siren Riddim (If everyone lives better, the country will have more strength and the leaders would enjoy the increased prosperity as well.)
2. President Obama. My vote was finally a winner! Because President Obama despises corruption and has blacklisted several corrupter/politicians in Kenya from ever entering the United States. Pressure dem!
3. Sting, because he is an awesome entertainer, songwriter, actor and scholar.
7. What are your favorite:
Fast-food joint: Checkers (Deep Sea Combo)
Person to hang out with: my best friends
Sport: riding my friend's draft horse (He is fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan)
Season: I like every season
Place to go on weekends: the movies
8. Apart from yourself who are your top three artists right now?
I respect all the female DJs in the business - there are not enough of us!
9. Describe your ideal man and have you met him?
My ideal man is mature, honest, disciplined, sexy, educated, single, monogamous and able to make love for 4 hours. I might have met him!
10. Are you the oldest, middle, youngest or only child? Do you think that has had an impact on your life in general?
I have two older brothers, which helped to toughen me up for life in the music business!
Go With Your Gut
11. Diamond or pearl?
Diamond - More years to create, just like the dues you pay in the music business.
12. Broken toe or broken finger?
I currently have a broken toe. Still able to get things done since you use your hands mostly for tasks.
13. Wisdom or knowledge?
You can never have enough of both! Read, read, read; learn from elders.
14. Papaya or pineapple?
Pineapple -has healing powers.
15. Boardgames or movies?
Boardgames - time with friends.
Finish It…
16. Men can be deceiving
17. Condoms are mandatory! Some conditions are carried by men who are unaffected by it, but give women cancer.
18. Home is Georgia but I wish I could spend more time in Jamaica. Like my second family.
19. My most missed memory is hanging out in Kingston, Jamaica.
20. Zerby is a versatile roots and dancehall reggae artist. I like to entertain with cerebral lyrics. I also like to big up strong, educated, wise, independant women!
zerbymusic.com
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