Virgin Islands-born rapper NJAR (Not Just Another Rapper) is banking on the success of a remix of his latest single, ‘See Flowers’ featuring Demarco to be his first breakout hit.
“The early response has been great, the love ‘See Flowers’ has received from my core target demographic has been really amazing. I felt like they embraced the song from day one, automatically connecting to the lyrics. With the addition of Ishika Charles and Demarco on the remix I’m looking forward for an even bigger response from my supporters and all the new ones I hope to gain,” he said in a release.
NJAR singled out the help and support that he has received from Jamaicans living in the Virgin Islands as a major factor in the evolution of his craft.
“The Jamaican Community in the Virgin Islands has been a tremendous blessing for myself as an up and coming artist/songwriter. The encouragement has helped overcome many challenges thus far in music and at this stage I feel comfortable trying to make a splash in Jamaica with my music,” the Virgin Islands artiste said
NJAR has never visited Jamaica but is a huge fan of dancehall.
“I respect and enjoy the work of Demarco obviously, Vybz Kartel, Popcaan, Dexta Daps, Damian & Stephen Marley, Beenie Man, Peter Tosh, Freddie McGregor, Beress Hammond etc. Their consistency over the years has always inspired me to make the best music I possibly can, to be honest I tend to lean on reggae and dance hall the most to give my music that extra flavor, ” he said.
With the help of well known radio personality, Paul Gadiethx Peart of Fresh Radio Vybes, he was able to secure the Demarco feature which he hopes will do well in Jamaica and ultimately international markets. He believes that dancehall is a very influential art form. In the past two years, there have been several Billboard Hot 100 chart toppers heavily influenced by dancehall: Omi’s “Cheerleader,” Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” and Billboard’s 2017 Artist of the Year Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” also the Hot 100 Song of the Year.
But NJAR is not just after international fame, he sees his craft as a platform to initiate and inspire change
“My music speaks to every and anything affecting myself and the people whether good or bad. There’s a vibrant music scene bubbling in the Virgin Islands, lots of artists are stepping out to make their voices heard which is something I applaud. I believe being an artist is so much bigger than music so the goal is to use my voice in my community to uplift and inspire people,” he said.
NJAR is presently an independent artiste, as he is not signed to a major label.
“At this stage, I believe being an independent artist/songwriter provides more options to take my career further than going the traditional route of signing to a label. Creative Control is major for me and I want to be able to dictate the direction of my music,” NJAR said.
He has opened shows for regional and international artists such as Peter Morgan, Melanie Fiona, Rock City, Pressure , Dexta Dapps, Popcaan and others. He has performed at high profile events including the world famous BVI Music Fest and Spring Fest. Next stop: Jamaica.
“I am looking forward to coming to Jamaica sometime in 2018 to promote my music, I am very excited,” he said.
NJAR thanked the persons who contributed to the record, namely D.Fahie (Executive Producer) Roshan Meade ( Executive Producer), Eon Jarvs (Musician), Eighty8 (Artist/Song Writer), Ishika Charles (Artist/Song Writer) Diction (Song Writer), Raul “Jugo” Sprauve and Brent Hoyte of Homegrown Studios (Mixed & Mastered).
Visit www.njarmusic.com where you can purchase NJAR’S latest single See Flowers Remix.
