Hefla Nyah takes his music back to the soil

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Eager to make a name on the Jamaican music scene, Philadelphia-reared roots singer Hefla Nyah makes his first big step to that goal by appearing on the popular Plug 'N' Play live series Friday at the Hilton Kingston hotel.

Nyah has been in Jamaica promoting his latest song, Take You There, which was released in August by the 619 Entertainment Group, a Jamaican-run company based in Philadelphia.

"It's not easy to get stuff played in 'Philly' 'cause the market for reggae there is not that big," said the 25-year-old Nyah, who has lived in the City of Brotherly Love since he was 13 years old.

Take You There, his first release in Jamaica, is accompanied by a music video. The song was co-produced by Roger Grant, Patrick Dunn and Lance Gamble, the principals behind 619 Entertainment Group.

Early days

Nyah was born Tristan Duncan in the district of Content, St Mary. While roots-reggae legends Bob Marley and Peter Tosh caught his ears early, he lists other St Mary artistes like Beres Hammond and Capleton as his biggest influences.

His first song, Ethiopian Child, was released by Ondubground, a small Philadelphia label, but saw little action. The lack of airplay in a city famous for soul music influenced Nyah's return to Jamaica.

"Jamaica is the grass roots fi everything reggae so wi mek the move fi set things straight," he said.

Lose Control, a combination with Nyah and Guyanese roots singer Natural Black, is scheduled to be released in December.