Guyanese ‘Hot Gal’ Nesta heads to NYC to promote latest single

Guyanese soca, dancehall and R&B ‘Hot Gal’ Nesta is heading to New York City in July to promote her newly-minted single “Hot Gal” that is already heating up social media.

Asked about the concept for what is described as the “steamy and sensual” single, Nesta, whose real name is Ernesta Nelson, told Caribbean Life on Monday: “I am a hot girl, and the song demonstrates that women can determine who and what they want in their lives sensually.

“Hot Gal allows me to feel strong and beautiful, which is something I never felt growing up,” she said. “A lot of my music is my alter ego. I’m really using this alter ego as my healer to build my confidence and feeling.”

‘Hot Gal’ Nesta with visually-impaired Jamaican-born artist Nigy Boy. Photo by Anthony “ER Guru” Turner/Images LLC

During her upcoming visit, Nesta said she plans to shoot a new music video for a song titled “Chocolate” that was recorded with the Jamaican-born, visually-impaired reggae artist, Nigy Boy, who rose to fame with hits singles “Continent” and “Judgement.”

Nesta said will also be doing a few live performances to connect with her fanbase in New York.

“The city’s vibrant music scene in New York provides the perfect backdrop for my video shoot, performances and promotional activities, as I continue to build momentum in my career,” she said.

“I have performed at Amazura in Queens and numerous Guyana day events,” she added. “I’ve also performed for the Mayor of White Plains, NY at the annual White Plains Festival.”

New York-based, Jamaican-born entertainment publicist Anthony Turner told Caribbean Life also on Monday that “Hot Gal” Nesta “sleeps and breathes music, and not surprising, given that she is the daughter of Bridget Nelson, a former music teacher, vocal coach, composer and arranger in Georgetown (the Guyanese capital).”

Nesta said her musical journey began at 3, when she serenaded the late President of Guyana Dr. Cheddi Bharat Jagan in 1994.

The following year, she said she entered the Children’s Mashramani Calypso competition and secured first runner-up.

Nesto said she was eventually crowned Calypso Queen 14 times before she won the Junior Calypso Monarch competition in 2007 and 2008.

She has released several singles including “Essence”, which was used on the soundtrack of the movie, “Diary of a Badman.”

In 2016, her career soared, as she rebranded her image and her sound, fusing R&B and dancehall music.

Nesta said this new phase of her career led to a collaboration with Jamaican singer Tarrus Riley on “Body Callin.”