Artists Breaking Down Boundaries: Nohjj’s “Love” Wins OUTMusic Award

by Latoya Peterson

Artist Nohjj just made history with his music video for “Love” – for various reasons.

Reader Ron sent us the news that Nohjj was the first black male winner of one of the OUT Award.  Nohjj explains the concept behind the video:

Saying “I believe love is for everyone… homosexual and heterosexual….One day soon our world will acknowledge this simple truth.” Nhojj is not one to shy away from political issues with his sophomore CD “Someday Peace Love & Freedom” released in 2004 covering issues ranging from homelessness to homophobia.

But the awards happened in 2009 – why are we just now hearing about this?  Soul Sessions explains:

Even fifty-five years after Brown vs. The Board of Education, being named the first Black anything in this country is still a big deal. And so it is interesting to note how few publications other than Billboard covered the fact that Nhojj did the improbable by becoming the first Black male artist ever to win an OUTMusic Award from the Alliance of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Recording Artists and Performers. His song “Love” was named OUTstanding R&B/Soul Song of the Year. Never mind how weird it is that he was reportedly the first Black male winner in the awards’ eight-year history (host OUTMusic has been around for 18-years).

Belated congratulations Nohjj!

(Thanks to reader Ron for the tip!)