Nickiesha Barnes performs during the Digicel Rising Stars elimination live show, held at TVJ's studio, Lyndhurst Road last year. - Winston Sill

by Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

With a voice that rocked last year's competition, Digicel's Rising Stars runner up for 2006, Nickeisha Barnes is looking forward to a bright future in the business.

Nickeisha has used the time since being in the competition to discover her own style and make the right links in the business. The STAR caught up with the dynamo to see how life has been going. "So far I'm recording and waiting on the decision of my first official song to be released. I'm also doing shows, but the key thing is recording music," she said.

Time in the studio is time discovering what suits her personality and vocal skills best. Known for her rendition of various Mary J Blidge songs, Nickeisha is geared to show the world she can do so much more. According to Nickeisha, her song In Love, which is a reggae styled love song, has been getting a good reception from the public. One of the reasons she is fond of the song is that it varies from the 'Mary J' format that everyone is used to seeing her in.

Mixture

She says "I'm a mixture, I think music reflects a lot of different influences. I can do dancehall, reggae and when people hear my sound its a fusion of what I listen to." She is presently getting prepared to shoot a video for the song In Love. Nickeisha has been on shows such as the Boston Jerk Festival, Orange Fiesta and soon to be on the Ewarton Jerk Festival.

Crediting a lot of her success to Rising Stars, Nickeisha explains that she has never felt like second best. "Because of the show there are producers I wouldn't get the chance to meet, so people watched the show," she elaborated. Having worked with Donovan Germaine of Penthouse Records as well as producers from Shocking Vibes Records she is well on her way. While she would not reveal whom she has collaborated with, she says she would want to work with Buju Banton, Junior Gong and gives thanks to Alaine and Cherine Anderson who has given her a lot of support.

Nickeisha is giving her support to this year's show, saying that she will be making guest appearances. She has been watching the show and can point out numerous persons she would love to work with. Her advice to this year's crop is "don't let negativity stop you, you won't please everyone. Just make sure you're there to enjoy yourself."