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Niyorah - Virgin Islands Roots Reggae Artist
March 24, 2007

NIYORAH
YOUNG MYSTC

By: ms.cyntje
From Our Mar -Apr 2007 Issue

Bless with a naturally melodic voice, Niyorah, born Nigel Olivacce, is a crucial reggae artist hailing from the island of St. Thomas.  After the release of his sophomore solo album Purification Session Niyorah remains focus as a maturing roots reggae artist.   

Purification Session guides the listener through Niyorah’s view of the world and offers a clear cut answer to the woes of mankind.  The album also celebrates the healing power of love between a king and his empress by laying out Niyorah’s own personal list of qualities he seeks in a righteous woman.   Songs like “Nothing to Prove”, “African Chant”, “I Love the Way”, “Always”, “Inner Light” and “Globe All Warming” categorize the album. 

I met up with Niyorah in his childhood neighborhood, to discuss his second album.  As we toured his parent’s home in Savan, Niyo was humbled by the success he had received throughout his career.  The view overlooking the historic district was iconic of how so many things had remained the same despite the changes over the years.   We sat in a small garden where several local banana “fig” trees provided shade.  Throughout the interview Niyorah had somewhat of a mystic aura surrounding him.

As a 9 year veteran in the music industry looking back what made you decide to do music?

Music is something that I always loved doing.  The love I have inside of me for singing is what motivated me to start a professional career in music. 

Who or what gives you strength as an artist?

My strength and inspiration comes from the people in my community.  When I tour the response from the fans is so strong, they love the music with all their heart.  Also as an artist, there is always a feeling of inner joy/bliss when you hear your music.

What helped prepare you for a solo career in music?

The Star Lion Family use to practice/chant everyday, which boasted my talents and stamina as an artist.

How has being with I-Grade contributed to your growth as an artist?

I feel very bless to be apart of the I-Grade family because their vibe as a label is very focus and discipline.  They strive for quality.

What separates Purification Session from A Different Age?

Unlike A Different Age which was strictly an I-Grade Records production, Purification Session is acollaboration between I-Grade Records, Lustre Kings Production and Zion High Productions.  Besides the production aspects, I express my more militant side in Purification Session because I wanted to remind the people that event though you have love in your heart you can’t let any set of people take advantage of you.  Have love but at the same time protect yourself.

Is there a deeper meaning behind your album covers?

A lot of spiritual concepts go into my album covers.  For example, A Different Age album cover depicts a barren world freeing itself of old habits, making room for a fertile land of new and more productive ways of life.  Whereas the idea for the cover of Purification Session came from an observation of mines, it portrays the cleansing that we all are experiencing as result of the changes happening with the earth.

What was the most memorable collaboration on the album?

I consider Vaughn Benjamin as the founder of the VI reggae movement so the collaboration with him was very special.

Your lyrics pull from a range of topics, what kind of books do you like to read?

I love to read books about health and healing; Rastafari and other spiritual topics; love, peace and meekness; African history and ancient knowledge.

What message do you want listeners to take away from Purification Session?

Let us live in unconditional love but let us not be passive to evil.

I consider myself an instrument for the Most High JAH
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