While in his mother’s womb, Nigel Hector (better known as Nigy Boy) was written off by doctors. They told his mother that he wouldn’t make it. However, fate would have it another way.

Nigy Boy, who became permanently visually impaired at six months old, is today creating waves in music with his viral and trending hit song Continent, which is featured on producer Tarik “Rvssian” Johnston’s revamped Dutty Money rhythm.

Continent, which is being hailed by social media users as one of the best songs on the beat formerly known as Go Go Club rhythm, pays homage to females around the world.

The song shot to the #2 spot on the iTunes reggae chart and has maintained a presence on several iTunes listings over the past week.

The official video, which was released on January 4, ranked at #3 on YouTube’s Trending for Music chart and has so far racked up more than 457,000 views.

Nigy Boy, who is originally from Montego Bay, presently resides in New York. The 23-year-old is a political science student at Stonybrook University in Long Island.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Friday, Nigy Boy explained how he got on Rvssian’s popular Dutty Money rhythm.

“Well, I came up with an intro for the song that’s released now, posted that intro on Instagram, the people love it, and they began reposting and tagging Rvssian. In the hours following my post going viral, he reached out to me and requested that I send a demo. He sent me the beat; I took it to the studio and got to work,” Nigy Boy disclosed.

He shared the inspiration behind Continent.

“Well, there were a lot of things that inspired the song. Based on the songs that I heard on the rhythm; I wanted to try and create something that was authentic and different. Plus, I wanted to see how well I would measure up to the other artistes on the track. And it’s no secret that I’m an attraction to the ladies, so I had to write something that would express just how affectionate they are towards me,” said Nigy Boy.

“The response to this song has been nothing but phenomenal,” he told the Observer. “I can’t begin to describe the outpouring of love and support that I have been receiving because of it. But it really goes to show that we, as a people, are more than capable of uniting together and supporting each other and representing our country and culture.”

Nigy Boy’s interest in music developed while he was a student at The Salvation Army School for the Blind in Kingston.

“I’m from a family of musicians, but they are underground. My grandfather sang. While I was attending the Salvation Army School for the Blind, one of the tutors, Mrs Lee, she asked me one day to audition for the choir and I did. I became a soloist with the choir and later on we participated in the All Together Sing competition on TVJ. We also participated in several JCDC [Jamaica Cultural Development Commission] competitions. That was when music began to grow on me and I developed a passion for it,” Nigy Boy recalled.

He later attended Meadowbrook High School before migrating to the United States in 2016.

Still, it wasn’t until 2021 that he released his first professionally produced song, You and I.

“I would say the foundation for my interest in music has been my family. I grew up in a pretty musical family, and they recognised my talent and passion for singing at a very young age. My grandfather, for example, would always tell me that one day I would be one of the greats, like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, and messages like that were my motivation for pursuing music,” said Nigy Boy.

He continued: “I’ve been professionally involved in music for almost three years now. The first producer I’ve ever worked with is also a totally blind individual. He’s not known to the world yet, but in time he will no doubt become one of music’s biggest pillars. He goes by the name Sage, professionally known as Sanjay Reid. He is responsible for producing the track for my song called Superwoman, as well as the track for my collaboration with Mr Vegas called Waterfall.”

Asked whether it was challenging for him to juggle attending university while balancing a music career, Nigy Boy said: “Well, it hasn’t been too challenging for me to create my own lane musically because I’ve had the right people around me supporting me since day one. However, I won’t deny that having a disability has made it more difficult for me to break into the industry. I’m still keeping up the fight, though, because the only thing that can really stop me from achieving my goal is myself.”

“Well, at present, I am in my final semester of undergrad pursuing a bachelor’s in history and political science with the intent of pursuing law in the future… [W]hat interests me about law is the impact policy has on society and people’s lives. I believe that pursuing law will allow me to have a positive impact on the lives of many, whether it be through advocating for people with disabilities and protecting disability rights, or protecting the rights of immigrants, etc,” said the artiste.

Nigy Boy, who is managed by “Dr Love”, describes his musical journey as a slow but steady rise.

“I would describe my musical journey as a slow and steady rise. But one thing I’ve learned over the course of my career is not to rush the process. I just reap and give thanks for the blessings as they come, and take my setbacks in stride, because I know that there is more in store for me.”