Economic crisis in Venezuelan propels artist to fulfill childhood dreams in Guyana

Jul 16, 2023 News

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Richie Rich Jaggy Records…

By Shervin Belgrave

Kaieteur News – As a child, Venezuelan artist, IssiBaby loved singing, dancing and modeling and always had dreams of one day becoming a star. But the opportunity never presented itself in the land of her birth, Venezuela.

An economic crisis, however, hit the country in 2013 and forced the 26-year-old to flee. IssiBaby whose real name is Nosliannys Isabel Menendez left her hometown, San Felix, Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela and travelled to neighbouring Guyana in 2020. Moving was not a difficult decision for IssiBaby, because she was in search of a better life, but she did not know that an economic crisis was the breakthrough she needed to fulfill her childhood dreams of becoming a singer.

Not only has she become a dancehall and reggaeton artist in a foreign country that is thousands of miles from her home, but is also one of the main actors in a local television series that is set to hit the screens in December.

Last week, The Waterfalls sat down with IssiBaby to learn about her amazing journey in Guyana.

IssiBaby told The Waterfalls that she began pursuing her dreams at the age of 18 by writing songs and recording them, but migrating to Guyana was the launching pad for her career.

She related that she was 23-years-old when she arrived in the country and within a matter of months, local artists in Guyana became aware of her talent and she became the Spanish singing sensation in the country.

IssiBaby made a grand entrance into the Guyanese music industry through a collaboration with popular local artiste Ezan Benzy in the remix of his song Boujee Hardball. The song received over 40 thousand views on YouTube following its release.

Since then, IssiBaby has made songs of her own including one in English called Paparazzi that is currently  trending among the locals and also collaborated with six-time Soca Monarch Champion, Jumo “rubber waist” Primo to produce a song called “Oh la la la”.

She also released her version of the “Gyal dem Suga” in 2022 paying tribute to Jamaican artiste, Beenie Man who visited Guyana that year.  These songs made her a regular face performing and setting the vibe at various party events held at the Cultural Centre, Baroom Bar, Tower Poolside, XS Bar and other popular locations across the country.

Speaking about living the dream in Guyana, IssiBaby said, “Mi experiencia que he tenido en Guyana hasta ahora ha sido bueno, positiva. Siento el apoyo del publico, muchas personas apoyen mi musica aunque no entienden lo que estoy cantando (My experience that I have had so far in Guyana has been good, positive. I feel the support from the public; a lot of persons support my music although they do not understand what I am singing”.

Asked if it was difficult to adopt to the Guyanese culture and their taste of music, IssiBaby said, “Para mi no fue dificil adaptar a la cultura Guyanesa…tengo mucho amistades guyaneses incluso tengo una amiga con quien vivi por dos tres años, y la cultura ahorita nunca se me hizo dificil porque ya encajaba entre la cultura guyanesa por lo menos su comida ya lo sabia, su tipo de musica ya lo sabia (It was never difficult for me to adapt to the Guyanese culture… I have a lot of Guyanese friends including a female friend I lived with for two, three years, so adapting to the culture was never difficult for me because I had already (in Venezuela ) fit in the Guyanese Culture, I already knew about their food  and their type of music).

The Venezuelan artiste also related that since arriving in Guyana, she has never had any big challenges in pursuing her career as an artiste.

According to her, the only challenge she has is mastering the English language.

“…Si yo hablar Ingles fuera diferente mas oportunidades…(If I spoke English, it would have been different, it would be opportunities)”, Issibaby said.

She has dreams of producing English music and has been practising the language. Her pronunciation has reportedly been improving.

For IssiBaby, the sky is limit; she wants to follow in the footsteps of her role models and favourite singers, Rihanna and the late Selena.

“Yo quiero llegar as esa nivel como ellas (I want to reach their level of success), Issibaby told The Waterfalls.

IssiBaby said that she can sing any type of music, just give her a beat and she will create the lyrics.

In meantime, she is currently working with the Richie Rich Jaggy Records Studio to produce the first Spanish/Guyanese television series. It’s a “Bad Family Productions” called “Zeppe el Gigante”.

IssiBaby is one of the main characters in the film and is also the main artiste in the series’ theme song, Pablo.

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• Guyana, IssiBaby, Music Industry, Richie Rich Jaggy Records, Venezuelan Aritist

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