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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 18 June 2007 |
 Anyone who claims to have their ear firmly to the ground as far those hot
prospects on the UK urban unsigned scene go should no doubt then have already
heard of Nyomi Gray. Already at the tender age of 20 Nyomi who goes by
the performer name NY and who was born and raised in Kentish Town North
London, has made quite a profound impression and by all accounts is close to
translating this success into the mainstream.
However it's only when speaking to this young lady do you fully gauge the
reasons why she has developed such a strong following. For one so young she has
genuine talent, ambition, intelligence, humility and strength of character in
equal measure.
 Regarded as a promising vocalist, she has a soulfully unique voice and highly
respected songwriting skills which she first refined through writing poetry. But
perhaps her greatest strength is her ability to completely engage and captivate
live audiences. "For me, a Vocalist or a Singer should be exactly that;
someone who can perform their material live and who has the ability to touch the
audience". This ability to reach out and touch those that are listening is a
major reason why she has already built a relatively sound! reputation and made
such an impact.
When asked about who has influenced her she mentions from a dynamic list of both
artists family and friends, "As far as role models and people who have
supported me and my music I will have to say firstly my mum who raised me
through enough troubled times and drama I owe her and love her so much. Then my
close friends and family particularly my four sisters and friends Fusnara and
Grace. In life you need good friends and I am lucky they help keep me grounded
and on point".
Her mum's influence is not only paternal; she like Nyomi is passionate about her
music and has assumed the role as her co-manager. It is also no coincidence that
a lot of Nyomi's musical influences derive from her mum's affinity for roots and
reggae music. "As far as artists go I grew up listening to people Like
Burning Spear, Peter Tosh, and Beres Hammond... From young I have really like
their stuff... Like others my age I also have artist from the more modern era
who have really influenced me of course Aretha Franklin, who hasn't been
inspired by her. I am also a massive fan of Roberta Flacks her stuff is really
special and finally Lauryn Hill and Mariah Carey they both have great songs and
are fantastic live".
Another life influence was a local youth worker called Franklin also known as
DJ XL Bass on Freak FM, he sadly past away in 2001. "He was like a father
figure to me as well as one of the first people who sincerely believed in my
ability. His passing represented a sad period in my life, but through music,
friends and family I was able to come through and have even written tunes about
the whole situation".
 Most of NY's material can be categorized as either possible club anthems and
party tunes based on positive vibes or more real, stark but always positive
portrayals of the harsh realities of life, that she has gained through many life
experiences while living in the unforgiving streets of London. It is clear that
though Nyomi's material is real and confronts serious issues other Urban artists
she is not one to glorify the negative aspects of her life Instead she says,
"I would like to use my music as a positive medium to both old and young,
helping to lift and to elevate people in all types of negative situations and to
provide hope".
Split Endz Volume 2 July 2007
July 2007 will see the release of Ny's widely anticipated sequel to her massive
Split Endz Volume 1 Mixtape. Split Endz Volume 2 which is set to a
blockbuster includes many guest appearances and cutting edge production from the
likes of JME, Purple, Wiley, Ghetto, Professor
Green, Scandalous Unltd, Duncan Powell, Terror Danjah
and Misty Dubs to name but a few. This mixtape will be released on the
award winning True Tiger label. With many strong tracks including the
already popular Fire, Willow, No One Ever Cared,
Something Real, and Who Is She?, this mixtape is bound to be for ever
playing on radio stations through out the summer and the rest of 2007.
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