Misha Lobban, Contributor
Nickeishia Barnes the second-place winner in the 2006 Rising Stars competition, pleasing her audience at a Nyammins and Jammins Festival, Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex, October 2006. - File photos
The better part of one's life consists of his friendships.
- Abraham Lincoln
Nickeishia Barnes first revealed her superb vocal range to Jamaicans in 2006 as a contestant in the Digicel Rising Stars competition. She emerged the second-place winner of the competition and has been rising to great heights in the music industry since the release of her first original single, called In Love, last year.
Nickeishia's journey began after judge Anthony Miller selected her as his wild card to enter the 2006 Rising Stars competition. She proved that Miller had made the right choice when she became one of the clear favourites in the competition.
Nickeishia Barnes (left) and best friend Tawjna Williams. - Contributed
While she did not realise her hope of becoming the first female to win the competition, she has set her sights on accomplishing her dream of becoming the first Jamaican female to win a Grammy award for producing, composing and songwriting.
Her best friend Tawjna Williams is also forging a career in the music industry as a song writer/music producer. Interestingly, the first song performed by Nickeishia in 1996, titled Let Go, was penned by Tawjna, who currently works as an executive assistant to music producer Jon Williams.
Through the eyes of Tawjna, we learn of Nickeishia's gifting as a songwriter and her passion for helping people, especially those who are disadvantaged, such as persons living with HIV/AIDS, in this week's feature.
How did you meet Nickeishia Barnes, and how long have you been friends?
I have known Nickeishia for the last 15 years. We met in fourth form at Holy Childhood High. Our meeting was coincidental as we ended up in the same class because of the subjects we chose to do for CXC, which were primarily a mix of the arts, business, and science subjects. One day I spoke to her about a negative tendency she had because I saw that she had potential and I wanted to help her to succeed. That encounter kick-started our friendship.
Tell us what you admire most about her, and why do you think you have remained friends all these years?
What I admire most about Nicky is her ability to constantly reinvent herself regardless of the negative experiences she's had. She has gone through some heart-rending situations that could have broken some persons ... like the fact that she lost her brother, Dean, with whom she shared a special bond, to gun violence in 2000. A few years later, another of her brothers, Escobar, who was a DJ, also died tragically. In spite of all this and other negative experiences she has done very well and has made it thus far because of her persistence. If she has a goal she pursues it no matter the obstacles. Her persistence and humility inspire me.
I think we have remained friends because we are open and frank with each other. Honesty is the foundation of trust, and the level of trust between us has never been broken since we became friends in high school.
Tell us something interesting about Nickeishia.
She is an excellent writer and she pens her own songs.
Singer Nickeishia Barnes is her sultry best at Colour Him Father at the Hilton Kingston hotel, June last year.
I also think that if she wasn't in the music business she would do well in the area of charity, as she loves people and loves to help people. The truth is, she has already found her niche working with the Ministry of Health as a behaviour change specialist for the HIV/AIDS programme.
Another thing many persons may not know is that Nickeishia is a trained dancer. During high school she trained with Charlie Smith Dancers.
What are some of the things you talk about when you get together?
Her music career, her work with the Ministry of Health, relationships and the things she desire to accomplish in life.
Share with us one of the happiest moments you have experienced with her.
One the happiest moments was when she completed her first degree in 2004 because it was as if she broke a mould, in that it was a great accomplishment for her, having lived in Arnett Gardens and faced many struggles growing up.
Her experience in the Rising Stars competition was another significant moment, as well as the release of her first original single, In Love, last year.
Tell us the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of her, and why.
A go-getter. If Nickeishia tells you she's going to do something, look it for it.
What are her favourite food, favourite music and favourite sport?
She loves seafood, especially shrimp.
She's not into sports but she watches car racing.
She listens to all genre of music excluding heavy metal. Her favourite music, though, is Reggae, R&B and what is known as Alternative music.
Tell us the colour that you associate with her:
Yellow: Signifying someone you'll never forget.
Orange: Signifying someone you consider your true friend.
Red: Signifying someone you really love
Green: Signifying someone you has had a significant impact on your life
Orange: We have known each other since we were teenagers and we have shared every aspect of our lives with each other. She has been a positive influence on me.
9. Define for us what you consider to be a true friend:
A true friend is somebody who values you for who you are and not for who you are or what you have to give. It's someone with whom you can be honest and you can share your disappointments and accomplishments. That's how it has been between me and Nickeishia. We value each other and we inspire each other to become the best that we can be.
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