Nicky B Interview (Stars on the Rise Feature)

Nicholas Bennett is a studio baby. The studio? Grafton Studios in Vineyard Town. The famous parent? His father, internationally-renowned songwriter and music producer, Mikey Bennett. It’s no surprise then that from an early age Nicholas encountered Jamaican Reggae stalwarts like Shabba Ranks, Maxi Priest and Beenie Man on the regular. Internationally renowned artists, such as Roberta Flack and Cyndi Lauper, have worked in the studio and of course he was there absorbing a wealth of information from these incredibly talented entertainers. Under the tutelage of his father, Nicky was encouraged to become a studio engineer; and over the years he developed a sound he calls R&D (Rhythm & Dancehall). It was a marriage between the Jamaican sounds of Reggae and Dancehall and American Pop and R&B. Artists such as R. Kelly, Marvin Gaye and Craig David stand out in his list of musical influences.

A year after leaving high school, his family’s home was destroyed by fire. Nicky B reflects, “ I didn’t want to do anything or see anyone.” The ordeal prompted him to reassess his life, and it was at that pivotal moment he decided to put aside his dream of becoming a chef and devote his time to working in the studio as an engineer. At a recording session with Beenie Man, 17 year-old Nicky hummed what was to become the hook on the track “This is What it Feels Like.” At the insistence of the King of Dancehall, the shy engineer acquiesced and recorded the hook. As they say, the rest is history. Nicky B was officially on the music scene and hasn’t looked back since.

After scoring a handful of hits in Jamaica the ‘Young Prince of Dancehall’ embarked on a five-city tour of Japan in 2004. “The audiences in Japan responded positively to my music. I felt good,” he relates. “I knew that I was on to something and this made me feel I was heading in the right direction.” No doubt, even Japanese Kickboxer Yassuhiro Kido is a fan. In his K-1 World Max match on April 21st 2009 versus South Korea’s Soo Hwan Lee, he entered the arena to Beenie Man’s “King of the Dancehall and Nicky B’s “Wanna Be Your Man (All I Want)”. How serendipitous, the King and Young Prince of Dancehall together again! (See it HERE, Nicky B comes on at 2:26)

Nicky B has shared the stage with Lil Zane, and Kanye West –thanks to his sister, music video director Kimala Bennett. Back in 2007 he entertained 50,000 screaming fans at Germany’s Summerjam, and to date has performed at a number of events in Jamaica. I was on hand to see him at Tarrus Riley and Friends in Dec 2009 where he shared the stage with Reggae music’s current stars like Chino McGregor, I-Octane, Queen Ifrica and Duane Stephenson and legends like Freddie McGregor and Jimmy Riley.

Over the years, Nicky B has been featured on some of Dancehall’s most catchy and popular riddims including DreamWeaver Riddm ("The Way We Roll") Mad Guitar Riddm (“She Nuh Ready Yet”), Chiney K Riddim (“High”), Chandelier Riddm ("Rain or Fall”), Bubble Up Riddim (“Wanna Be Your Man”), Golden Gate Riddim (“Anybody Out There”), Guardian Angel Riddim (Best Friends) , Pelaean Riddm (“Ready for Love”), European Swing Riddim (“Single Ladies”), Fitz Riddim (“Ms. Nuclear”) Thrilla Riddim (“Stop My Flo”), and Higher Octane Riddim (“Give It Away” with Shane-O). I couldn’t help but list so many…as one person commented on his you tube video’s respect for nicky, always choosing the best riddims and makin amazing musique.

Oh la, la; and speaking of la musique, you should know that being from l’ile de la Dominique, land of cadance and World Creole Music Festival, I just fell in love with his sound when I heard Nicky singing on a zouk love riddim. Listen the song “Let The Music” (see video below) and you just might. He has collaborated on other zouk love songs like “For Real” with Samantha Nourry, and “Rude Bwoy Love” with Naelle. He even hasFrench Pop ("Hypnotise" with Parisa), Kompa (“Give You Love”) and French Lovers Rock (“Never Leave” with Goldee) songs in his repertoire. Nicky B has added his unique R&D flavour to songs by notable French Dancehall artists like Fefe Typical, (“Baby Girl”), Lord Kossity (Stand Up”, “Hotel Room”, Gangsta Girl) Fenomen 10 Gla (“Dirty Wine”) and Zorro Chang (“If You Came”) ensuring a wide fan base in the French speaking world and that of non-French speakers who just like the music. Someone commented on You Tube: his voice is soooo freaking sexxyyy lol...is he haitian???? I guess he could take that as a compliment huh.

Though the songs on his current R&D project were recorded in various cities around the world (Paris, Belgium, Los Angeles, Kingston) one theme remains the same, “I’m a hopeless romantic so a lot of the songs are about love and the enjoyment of life. Women relate to my lyrics. I write what they want to hear from men.” Number one song on my list is “Sweet Little Addiction” produced by Konvict (as in Akon’s Konvict??? Yes the very)--Peep the video below.

“Computer Love”, “ “Forever” (Forever Riddim), “I Only Want to Love You”, and “Care About You” are songs clearly written for the ladies. And they show him mad love online: nicky b's voice is sooo melodic... u have to love anything he sings... wow!, hee'sss soooo sexiiii..i wanna meet him..and his voice is amazing; Man dis dude is wicked n wicked sexy LOL!!!!!!; sikkkkkkkkkkkkk i juss found this man out rite now and im lovein hez tunez

He doesn’t even have to be at a concert to hear the frenzied yelling of hundreds of admiring fans. I witnessed that when he came to UWI for this interview and I heard students screaming his name. “OMG is that Niky B???” (loud screams, loud screams, pause to go tell their friends, more screaming.) That was a trip. LOL. I guess he’s used to that. He was kind, gracious, open, funny, and overall just really pleasant. If this is how he is in the studio, no doubt he’s a producer’s dream: creative and easy to work with.

2010 looks great so far. Nicky B has collaborated with Chino, Laden, Chedda and Konshens on the Genius-produced “Fresh To Death”. His songs “Dance Like We’re Making Love/Suga Dumplin” , “Every Gal” (on the Russian’s G-Go Club Riddim), and “Try My Love” with Assassin AKA Agent Sasco are on frequent rotation on Jamaican radio.

Through not a culinary school graduate, Nicky B’s a chef of a different sort -cooking up mega hits in the studio. Pick a Nicky B song at random and most people have this to say: “da song ya bod!” Skibbi-di-boom-bang-beng. Nicky, take it to the world!

Hit maker, R&D Master, Girls dem like ya…Nicky B you are officially The Lime certified!





Q&A

1. Who is your dream collaboration with?
R. Kelly- because I think he’s the best songwriter and R&B man in the world.



2. If you could describe yourself as a tree which would you be and why?
Probably a coconut tree cause they’re very tall so I could see what's going on around me. Plus, if I doh like somebody and they were directly underneath me I could just make my coconut drop on their head (ah joke…)



3. If you could take up any extreme sport, what would you choose and why?
Boxing….always wanted to do it.



4. Describe an ideal date with Nicky B?
Very, very quiet. I love candles and tranquility, so the area would be a real quiet and cozy place like Strawberry Hill --with candlelight, some nice jazz, massage, cook a nice meal cause I am de big chef…



5. What song describes your life right now?
“Hustle Hard” is a new song of mine. Produced by my little brother, it speaks about my entire life- coming up and dealing with misconceptions of the world. A lot of people believe that there is this road nice and paved because of my father. In the song I sing about how people think I’m born with a golden spoon in my mouth but never talk about how I lost my house and was left with one boxer, and rose from all of that to entertain people today. It talks about how I lost my adopted brother. It’s a very, very deep song. I actually shed a lot of tears writing it. It was the first time I was ever happy and sad all at once.



6. Is there any place you haven’t been that you'd like to visit for the first time?
Puerto Rico.



7. What are your goals for the next five years?
Running a very successful record label and have a couple Grammy's under my belt.



8. What do you find most appealing about the opposite sex?
How different but similar we are.



9. Do you have a morning routine?
Well, when I do wake up...(laugh) Um, getup, wash mi face, brush mi teeth, you know the typical stuff, I don’t go outside and greet the sunshine and feed the birds and all that. Simple. Wash face, brush teeth, eat, tv. That’s it.



10. What is your favorite:
Cologne-Angel for men
Snack food-Coconut cookies
Book-DaVinci Code
Alcoholic beverage-Hennessy on the rocks.
Beauty product-Bed Bath &Beyond shower gels.




Go With Your Gut

11. Blackberry or iPhone?
Blackberry

12. Red or purple?
Purple

13. Knowledge or wisdom?
Wisdom

14. Denyque or Makeida?
DEFINITELY Denyque

15. Kingston or MoBay?
Kingston





Finish It

16. When I see a girl I like I get goofy.

17. Sometimes its good to just stay home and do nothing.

18. Condoms.Durex.Tropical.

19. If I had superhuman powers it would be to walk through walls.

20. Nicky B


Click HERE to read about Nicky B's journey to success as a "Star on the Rise!"

myspace.com/nickybja
Nicky B on Facebook


Listen to Nicky B's latest three singles: "Dance Like We're Making Love/Suga Dumplin", Try My Love" feat Assassin AKA Agent Sasco and "Every Gal"


Watch Nicky B on his journey to the top!




A MUST FOR THE LADIES!!!!! All night long all night/till the early morning is it all right/ all night long all night/ I give you just what you like/




Let The Music -a likkle zouk love.....he's so versitile!



Desolee, mais je ne pouvais pas resiste (Sorry, I couldn't help it) I love Konpa!!!