- File
Nicky OJ gets intense on last July's Heineken Startime at the Mas Camp in New Kingston, St. Andrew.
Nathelie Taylor, Gleaner Writer
TO MANY, a cabaret performer is one who primarily impersonates and 'covers' the works of other artistes. Some would say that not much talent, thought or skill is involved in this 'song and dance' routine, and place this art form on the lowest rung of the entertainment ladder. Others yet would simply label it boring and leave it at that.
But Nicky OJ, one of Jamaica's most well-known cabaret performers, scoffs at these negative views.
"That would be how them see it and you can't fight a man how him look at things. But, for me, it is helping me to explore different types of music, to explore myself, what I can and cannot do. It allows me to enter every form of music."
There is yet another element to these criticisms. When placed against more popular acts from the reggae and dancehall genres, some would say that Nicky, and other cabaret acts like himself, pale terribly.
It, therefore, raises the question of the importance and function of a cabaret performer in a musical culture such as ours.
FULFILLING HIS ROLE
Nicky explains what he sees as his role and how he has been fulfilling it over the years.
"I see myself as a Fred Astaire or a Sammy Davis Jr., who explores a wide range of music. At times, even the DJs will change their rhythms rather than the everyday sounds. It is my interest to try and explore those kinds of rhythms myself and carry it across to the visitors.
"I even have an act where I explain to them that reggae music has a way of worming itself into other forms of rhythms whether by music or vocally. I just show them that any kind of music we can change and turn it into reggae. That's why I've been on the North Coast, bubbling it up as usual. Cause you know, somebody have to take the message to the foreigners."
Ironically, Nicky believes that Jamaicans on the whole do appreciate good cabaret, despite some negative thoughts.
"They do. It's only a pity, though, that groups like Ebony or singers like Karen Smith, AJ Brown and myself, can't get together more often and perform so that people won't look at us like a different aspect of Jamaican music."
STAYING ALIVE
With all the arguments stacked against him as a cabaret entertainer, Nicky OJ has to ensure that his name and his craft stay alive. After all, he's not just competing against other cabaret acts like Karen Smith and AJ Brown, but also the more popular dancehall acts, which many seem to favour. Nicky, who has opened for such greats as Jeffrey Osbourne, Skeeter Davis, Gwen Guthrie and The Manhattans, realises that he needs to explore the music further in order to up his game.
So, with one album, Take Life Easy, already under his belt he is now concentrating on producing more original material, a step that will hopefully make the disbelievers and critics see another side of his extensive talent.
His second album should be released early next year.
"The public hasn't heard much of my work as yet," he explains, "but I'm writing more and creating my music. I'll be creating more so that the Jamaican people can hear more of my recording side. I have not given enough to the Jamaican audience."
He has also seen the need to become more visible to his fans. "Y'see, a lot of people know that I am out there, but they keep wondering 'where are you?' 'are you still performing?'. So I'd like to create a balance. And that's why in the coming year I will be exploring the recording scene a little more."
TELLING PERFORMANCES
In the meantime though, he continues to prove his worth through his performances.
He puts his heart and soul into each act, jazzing up his sets with not just groovy interpretations of popular songs, but also 'hyped' dance routines. His dance moves have so dazzled that many have described him as dynamic and energetic.
"I don't depend on the songs. I depend on me for making it happen. If I go out there and don't perform, the show won't be so hot. I instill in myself that listen, this is what I'm going to make as my trademark - my performance. It's about live action. If you give people something to look at, you'll leave them satisfied. I mean, I can just stand up still and sing the song and it don't come across. I have to perform."
Nicky OJ has no problems sharing his own shortcomings and his plans to fix them. In the same vein, he is quick to offer what he views are problems affecting the music industry in Jamaica.
"What we actually need right now is to have our own producing companies, to be able to promote reggae music on our own. We need to have our own empire. We know how mega our music can get and if we turn to building it and making who never go school go back to school and learn the business the right way, we can conquer the world."
EVOLUTION
After more than 20 years in the business, Nicky OJ has garnered great respect and success. He has been acknowledged and awarded for his contribution to the music, including receiving the 'Best Cabaret Performer' award from the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM) and a Jamaica Tourist Board Award for excellence in music.
But how did this 'likkle country boy', born O'Brien Johnson, from St. Elizabeth become one of Jamaica's most respected cabaret acts?
"All I know is that from I was going to school I wanted to cut a record. I just wanted to hear my voice on a record. When I went to Montego Bay, I joined up with the Montego Bay Boys' Club and there I got the chance to perform before my first public audience. And the rest, they say, is history."
DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE
Nicky OJ's next chance to appear in front of a large audience is Heineken Startime, coming December 4 and 11 in Kingston and Mandeville respectively.
But, what is a cabaret performer doing on a show that is largely known for its strong vintage pull?
Acts like Bob Andy and Marcia Griffiths are a regular presence at the show; people actually expect artistes like them to perform.
But last year, when Nicky made his debut on Startime, he proved why he belongs. He fit right in with the reggae legends and had the audience eating eagerly from his bag of musical treats.
He describes that experience as good, even though it was different from his regular North Coast act.
It also reminded him of something else.
"It made me realise how much I missed the big, hot lights and the loud screams of the massive audience. It just made me realise what I was missing."
