Brooklyn Assembly Members Jaime Williams and Monique Chandler-Waterman, co-chairs of the New York State Caribbean-American Delegation, say they were “excited” on Saturday, June 21, to collaborate with the New York State Black Legislative Taskforce in honoring Trinidadian Soca artiste Nailah Blackman as part of their Caribbean-American Month and Black Music Month celebrations.
The honor ceremony occurred at Nick’s Lobster House on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn.
Assembly Member Chantel Jackson, Senators Siela Bynoe and Roxanne Persaud, and Assembly Member Latrice Walker chair the New York State Black Legislative Task Force.
“Caribbean American Heritage Month is a reminder of the powerful legacy that has helped shape our communities through vibrant cultures and traditions,” Williams, the Trinidadian-born representative for the 59th Assembly District in Brooklyn, told Caribbean Life afterwards.
“I am excited to stand with my colleagues as we celebrate both Caribbean-American Heritage Month, as well as Black Music Month, by honoring Trinidadian Soca artiste Nailah Blackman, who is from my home country,” she added.
“Today, we highlighted stories of strength through Soca music, but throughout this month, communities across this state and country have had the opportunity to reflect on the rich history, enduring resilience, and invaluable impact of Caribbean people on American society,” she continued.
Williams also expressed “special thanks” to Senators Bynoe and Persaud for spearheading “such a beautiful afternoon, celebrating the rich tapestry of Caribbean culture.”
Chandler-Waterman, the daughter of Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants and representative of the 58th Assembly District in Brooklyn, said, “The Caribbean American community has played a critical role in advancing civil rights, strengthening small businesses, and enriching the cultural landscape through music, literature, cuisine, and more.
“It was an honor to stand with my colleagues, as we celebrate not only Caribbean-American Heritage Month but also Black Music Month, highlighting Trinidadian Soca artiste, Nailah Blackman,” she added.
“As we take time to celebrate this moment alongside our cohorts in the New York State Legislature, it truly fosters deeper understanding, promotes inclusion, and empowers the next generation to embrace their identity and heritage with pride,” Chandler-Waterman continued.
Bynoe, representative for the 6th Senate District in Nassau County, Long Island, traces her roots to St. Kitts and Nevis.
In 2024, she made history by becoming the first Black person to represent Long Island in the New York State Senate. She is a former Nassau County legislator.
District Six includes the communities of Baldwin, Baldwin Harbor, Carle Place, Freeport, Garden City, Hempstead, Lakeview, Mineola, New Cassel, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, Roosevelt, South Hempstead, Uniondale, Westbury, and West Hempstead.
“It’s my pleasure to be part of this task force,” Bynoe told the ceremony on Saturday. “We just want to carry out our wish (to honor Blackman). So, we thought to bring everybody together.”
Jackson, representative for the 79th Assembly District in the Bronx, whose mother hails from Belize, said: “It’s an honor to be here and to thank you for your contribution to the community.”
Persaud, the Guyanese-born representative for the 19th Senate District in Brooklyn, told Caribbean Life that she was “pleased that my colleagues and I honored Nailah Blackman as one of our honorees for the Black History Month Celebration, which included all genres of music that took place in Albany on June 9.
“Because she was unable to be in Albany, we hosted her in Brooklyn,” Persaud added. “Ms. Blackman truly deserves her accolades because of her contribution to Soca. I wish her continued success.”
The legislators were joined by former Brooklyn U.S. Rep. Adolphus “Ed” Town and ex-Grenada Ambassador to the United Nations Eugene Pursoo.
Blackman, 27, who was expected to perform Saturday night at an event in Brooklyn, told the audience she was very grateful for the honor.
“This one means so much to me,” said Blackman, who was honored in 2018 by former State Senator Jesse Hamilton, the then representative for the 20th Senate District in Brooklyn. “This is so powerful. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I truly appreciate it.”
Afterwards, she told Caribbean Life that she was “beyond grateful.
“This is large for me coming from Trinidad and Tobago,” Blackman said. “It shows my hard work is being recognized, and I’m now more motivated to take my culture further up.”
Blackman, one of the Caribbean’s more exhilarating young artistes, has become a powerhouse performer and trailblazer, as she rises to stardom.
Born on Dec. 2, 1997, into a legacy of entertainment pioneers, Blackman’s lineage is steeped in musical prowess.
From her grandfather, Garfield Blackman, also known as “Lord Shorty” or “Ras Shorty I”, the creator of the Soca genre, to her mother, Abbi Blackman, a celebrated Trinidadian national icon and Calypso Queen, Blackman said her affinity for music was apparent from the tender age of 4.
With her first performance at 11, when she started to write, compose, and play multiple instruments, Blackman’s rise began with a rich musical heritage rooted in the heart of Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca scene.
In 2017, Blackman released the hit song “Work Out,” which featured Kes the Band. To date, it has accumulated almost 100 million streams across all streaming platforms.
Her debut EP, “Sokah”, and the formation of her live band were milestones that underscored her growing influence and popularity.
“Teknique”, Blackman’s first album, featured one of the biggest Soca songs for 2023, “Come Home”, alongside Skinny Fabulous, which had the longest run on the Soca charts, staying at #1 for the entire year of 2023.
Since then, Blackman has consistently contributed to the International Carnival scene with her latest contributions being three major hits for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2024 – “Best Self,” “Round and Rosie” and “Jam of The Year,” all of which have collectively generated millions of streams.
Blackman said she has poured her passion and creativity into producing the 5th edition of her sold-out concert series, “Sokah Origins,” which saw an attendance of over 5,000 patrons at Trinidad Carnival 2024.
Blackman said she also remains committed to the upliftment of her community and the next generation with her first children’s event, “LahLahLand”, and children’s
book, “Love Lah Lah,” which landed a distribution deal with Random Penguin House.
Among her awards and accomplishments are: Best New Soca Artist nominee at the Your View Awards 2018 in Jamaica; coveted showcase at SXSW in March 2018; BET International 2018 – Viewer’s Choice Best New International Artist Award nominee; Groovy Soca of the Year Female Winner for “Baila Mami” at the 2018 International Soca Awards in St. Lucia; featured on Al Jazeera’s live stream show, “The Stream” in 2018, bringing her artistry into the living rooms of over 300 million households worldwide; Top 20 Stars of Gold, Calypso Award 2018 in Trinidad & Tobago; and Top 20 Stars of Gold, 2019 in Trinidad & Tobago for the song “Iron Love”.
Others are: Best Female Artist of the year at the Boom Champions Award 2019 in Trinidad & Tobago; Winner of the Miami Road March competition 2023 and 2nd place winner of the Trinidad Road March competition 2023, with the popular collaboration, “Come Home”; Intellectual Chutney Monarch 2024 in Trinidad & Tobago; “Entertainer of the Year” by the Harvard University, Caribbean Club, in Boston, March 2024; 2024 Headline Act for BRT Weekend Jamaica, Karukera Festival Guadeloupe, St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival and Caribana Toronto; 2024 Caribbean Music Awards Winner “Come Home” – Best Soca Song — Best Collaboration Soca – Best Music Video Soca; and just signed to Monster Energy Global (2025).
Additionally, Blackman said she recently signed a deal with Philadelphia-based record label Big Money Records, which is under Republic Records. This major record label houses some of the biggest names in music, such as Drake, Ariana Grande, and Post Malone.
With notable collaborations with Adfollowersekunle Gold, Shenseea, and Major Lazer’s Walshy Fire, Blackman stands among the most viewed artistes in Trinidad & Tobago, and over 100 million views across all streaming platforms.
