Glawdys N’Dee Enlightens Community and the World With Afro-Caribbean Sound

Music critics have compared Glawdys N’Dee’s voice to Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. Known as “The New Voice of the Caribbean,” N’Dee combines sacred and secular with total ease. This writer had an opportunity to talk with the Chicago-based Afro-Caribbean artist about her highly acclaimed debut album, LYANNAJ and her musical journey. –tony binns

Tell us about your freshman project.

Well, the Lyannaj album journey started a few years ago. I had an artistic vision. I wanted to write a music that would be appealing to different audiences while keeping grounded in Caribbean roots.

What is the meaning of the title, LYANNAJ?

“Lyannaj” means to win over, to connect, to unite in solidarity. It is a word that is deeply rooted in Caribbean culture. The music of the album is a very honest reflection of its title. Basically what I’ve done is take a particular concept, when I was writing the songs and instead of focusing on our differences, I focused on our similarities.

Who are some of your musical influences?

It’s very broad choice. I can go from Miriam Makeba, Nina Simone, Mahalia Jackson and also a few vocalists from my native land of Guadeloupe, such as Jocelyne Beroard. I think she has something very profound in her voice and personality. There are so many of them it is hard to give you a list. It would take until tomorrow.

If you did not sing, what would you do?

Anything artistic … Probably a writer or a painter …

Describe life in Guadeloupe and connect the dots to the African diaspora.

The Guadeloupean culture is very live, very generous and very rich. The black diaspora is a big family coming from one continent — the Motherland — and we have a lot of similarities, but also individuality and cultural identities within each culture.

You may visit Glawdys N’Dee’s official website at www.glawdys.net or join the Fan community at www.glawdysnetwork.com.