Rising Stars –
Continues to shine
Now in its fifth year, the Digicel Rising Stars phenomenon continues on its quest to unearth local talent. The first live televised talent search in Jamaica keeps getting bigger and better, as Jamaican families and friends enthusiastically keep it locked on Television Jamaica (TVJ) and vote to determine the newest crop of Rising Stars.
Buzzz had the opportunity to sit and talk to a few alums of Jamaica’s most successful television show about the experience and the possibilities that loom in the future for their musical careers.
Christopher Martin
As an earnest 18-year-old crooner, Christopher Martin won the heart of the voting audience in 2005 with his boyish charm and smooth voice.
He has since scored a few hits under his belt and is now a part of the Big Yard Music camp.
This is true testament to the power of the competition to propel artistes to stardom.
Noddy Virtue
While Martin has plans to release an album this summer, Noddy Virtue - the man he beat out for the title in 2005 – has already completed
and released his debut album, titled “Just Believe”. According to Noddy, his freshman album is a means of establishing
himself as an artiste beyond the “rising star” label.
One Third
In 2006, the stylish, fresh, and energetic trio One Third entered the competition and copped the top prize. Snazzy choreography,
fashionable threads and impressive vocal harmony earned Miguel, Al and Adrian a deal with the Shocking Vibes label,
but have since moved to their own production company, Fraction Entertainment. While they initially thought that Rising Stars
was not for them, they certainly haven’t regretted entering the competition one bit.
Nickeisha Barnes
The 2006 runner-up, Nickeisha Barnes, is taking an entirely different route in the industry, telling Buzzz of her plans
to not only become a successful artiste, but a producer as well.
Romain Virgo
At 17 years of age, the “rum-ram” king, Romain Virgo, took the title of the 2007 Digicel Rising Stars crown. He earned his nickname
after executing the dance of the same name during a performance, and now the young singers name is on the lips of most
young girls and many producers.
Jodi-Ann Pantry
The 2007 season was for the young guns, as Jodi-Ann Pantry (who was 18 years at the time) finished behind Romain in the competition.
She will most certainly be remembered for her collaboration with Noddy Virtue on Bon Jovi’s “Bed Of Roses”.
The performance blew away the judges, even lulling the intimidating Anthony Miller to a simple response of “fantastic”.
Inga Stewart
No reference to the 2007 Digicel Rising Stars competition could be made without mentioning the fun-loving songstress from Montego Bay,
Inga Stewart. Now residing in Negril, her career is cooking to a boiling point, as she is currently in studio with veteran musician,
Dean Fraser. She recently completed a video for her single, “I Can't Get Over You”.
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