SUCCESS STORY
FROM GROUND TO GREATNEZ
Internationally acclaimed reggae artiste, Greg F. Nesbeth, known more popularly as “Nesbeth” is a beacon of hope and inspiration, who uses his musical talents to spread a message of empowerment wherever music and people exists. His music and his life reflects the indomitable fighting spirit of the Jamaican people.
Born in Trench Town to working class parents who not only battled poverty but faced incarceration, Nesbeth has from the very start of his career has used music to wage a campaign of hope for the disenfranchised. Despite his “dark days” growing up without his parents - moving from one inner city community to the next - Trench Town, Maxfield Avenue and Waterhouse – the young Nesbeth had a made up mind to make a positive contribution to humanity. Music was his opium.
“From the day mi born mi dreaming of a great life. Been through the worst of my worst days now I can taste victory”
Taste Victory
He recorded his first single, “Reflection of Love” in 1993 with singer Camera. Since then Nesbeth has gathered an impressive list of accomplishments, both on his own and in collaboration with other talented artists.
His music has been released by labels such as Jack Scorpio, No Doubt Records, Down Sound Records and Shocking Vibes Production, a company that produced Nesbeth’s beloved single “So Let It Be” (2002).
In early 2007, he was introduced to renowned music producer Flava McGregor, with whom he has recorded well received songs which offered hope to people susceptible to a culture of violence and uncertainty. Songs such as “Board House” and “Guns Out” betray the volatile socio-economic circumstances of nesbeth’s environment at the time. Each of his songs illuminates the animated emotional layers of his resonant voice, along with his ability to create striking melodies and improvise on unusual international rhythms.
“When one door close, Jah open another one. When song nuh hit, me go voice another song. No man can wipe out wah Jah Jah plan…”
Ole’ Gangalee
So powerful is Nesbeth’s impact that his song “My Dream” was recently (2022) highlighted in Rolling Stone’s Magazine as one of 60 songs that ‘tell the story of the island’s musical evolution’ having a bridging impact on the political landscape during the 2016 elections.
In 2016 Nesbeth was named by IGTV IGGY as one of “11 Jamaican Reggae Artiste that is keeping Roots Reggae Alive. Nesbeth strives to deliver his soul to Melodies paired with poignant truthful lyrics depicting life, love and social commentary.
My Dream won song of the year at the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association Award (JARIA), enjoyed premium rotation on BBC 1Xtra and enjoyed A-List status alongside top tier acts such as Rihanna and Kendrick Lamar. The song enjoyed number one spot for five consecutive weeks in Jamaica and bullied its way to the top of the Barbados and St Kitts and Nevis Charts in the Caribbean.
“I …thank Nesbeth for being an inspiration to me and thousands of Jamaicans through his music”
The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, PrimeMinister of Jamaica, September 1, 2016
Dream to Success Story
Following his return from an almost two month stint in Europe and the United Kingdom Nesbeth released his latest effort “My Dream” in the latter part of 2015, the infectious ballad quickly catapulted him into the upper echelons of Jamaican entertainment. This new found level of stardom saw him easily becoming one of the most sought after acts on the global reggae circuit headlining various top tier events amid the song becoming his first official hit for 2016.
Nesbeth’s music transcends political boundaries. During the high point of the 2016 election campaign, the hit track “My Dream” was used by both the Jamaica Labour Party and the People’s National Party as a motivational chant for political aspirants.
At the end of the elections, Nesbeth was invited to perform at the inauguration ceremony, an event which has gone down in the annals of Jamaican politics as a historical moment. During the performance, The Most Honourable Prime Minister Andrew Holness joined the artiste on stage effortlessly repeating the lyrics of the monster hit “My Dream”.
In 2016, The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) in an attempt to drum up support for the upcoming Jamaica v Costa Rica World Cup qualifier match selected the revered “My Dream” as the theme song for the event.
“…This a fi those who persevere and who see through the tears …and in the grand scheme a everything dem still deh here”
Success Story
Four years after the release of his EP, in 2018 Nesbeth compiled his first Album AMEN, named in honour of his late wife, Ann Marie Elliot Nesbeth, and produced by Nesbeth himself. The Album speaks to love, faith, struggle, discipline, truth, justice and victory over trials.
Among the more notable songs on the album are Success Story, Remove My Enemies, Trial (a collaboration with Dance Hall artiste Popcaan), Diamond Boy and Who Can Stop Me Now.
Today, Nesbeth has demonstrated consistency and credibility, holding true to his commitment to produce socially conscious and uplifting music that can be played in any forum. His most recent body of work includes Stay How Me Stay, A-Game, Life Over Everything – all of which send a resounding message of tenacity, hope, faith and overcoming. The artiste has recently collaborated with Bounty Killer (Who’s Responsible?) and Professor (Why?) on songs which question the basis of responsibility for social ills, including crime.
At the start of 2023, the artiste’s “My Dream Tour, Part II” saw him spreading his melodious message of inspiration to Africa – Nairobi Kenya – after reconnecting and connecting with audiences in Germany and Italy.
“I will not take anything from anyone if I cannot give something to that person in return.”
Nesbeth
Nesbeth D’ Man:
His Ideology & Beliefs
Nesbeth lives by the principle of the 4D’s – Discipline, Determination, Dedication and Desire - which he adopted as his personal formula for success. His musical journey and on-going philanthropy illustrate his own perseverance, and express his passionate social and political ideologies.
The Artiste is a firm believer in hard work and believes that, once it is ordained by God, he will get to his goals “with or without the assistance of anyone”. Nesbeth is, however a believer in the connectivity and dependence of humanity and holds reciprocity as his guiding principle in dealing with other persons. “I will not take anything from anyone if I cannot give something to that person in return” is his abiding motto.
Nesbeth connects to his audiences through joyful, socially conscious music that tells authentic tales about his life’s most inspiring moments and his communities; past, present and future. His energetic live shows brighten stages worldwide, and he turns each performance into an intimate platform on which to share his viewpoints and experiences and to spread his free-spirited optimism.
So uplifting and far reaching is Nesbeth’s music that international mega super star Cardi B (Belcalis Almanzar) was recently seen on social media singing and “vybing” to the song “My Dream” whilst driving and in what appeared to be her rehearsal dance studio. Among his peers and others in the industry Nesbeth is seen as an inspiration so much so that in 2018 the veteran Disc Jockey Barrington “Barry G” Gordon acknowledged Nesbeth and his music as having a “major influence” on his life. The artiste has been described by one school principal, Gary Powell of the Montego Bay High School, as “a beacon of inspiration for the youths…” In 2018 when he released Success Story, both the United States Embassy and the Police High Commission praised Nesbeth for his “selfless effort to nation building”.
It is no surprise that whenever Nesbeth is featured in the media or on interviews it is always his tenacity, relentlessness and optimism that becomes the focal point of the discussion.
Several incarcerated persons have also reached out to Nesbeth via his social media page to express their gratitude for his music which have kept them hopeful during their darkest moments in prison.