Nesta Nelson, aka “Hot Gyal” Nesta, the talented singer from Guyana, kicked off 2026 with a new chapter in her musical journey, releasing her first official dancehall single, ‘Ride’, on New Year’s Day, January 1.
“The track was produced by the talented Jamaican producer Damion Hewitt, aka Jkeez of Jkeez Recording Studio,” Nesta told Caribbean National Weekly.
The single marks a stylistic shift for the rising Guyanese artist, who has previously made her mark as a soca performer. Nesta says the move to dancehall feels like a natural progression given her musical background.
“Dancehall has always been part of my musical upbringing,” Nesta shared confidently. “Growing up in Guyana, we are heavily influenced by Caribbean sounds, especially Jamaican music. I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and pay homage to a genre that is bold, confident, and expressive.”
She credits her close creative circle for helping bring that vision to life, noting that the lyrics were penned by fellow artist Kapa Shanti.
“My talented friend Kapa Shanti wrote the lyrics so I could exude that confidence,” she explained.
Early reactions to the track have been overwhelmingly positive. A sneak preview racked up more than 100,000 views on Instagram, while the official music video on YouTube garnered over 6,000 views in less than 24 hours.
“People love the energy, the confidence, and the vibe of the song. Many listeners weren’t expecting this side of me, but they’re loving the growth and versatility,” Nesta said.
The accompanying video, shot in Guyana by producer Esan Benn, adds a strong local visual element to the project.
“The support has been amazing,” she said proudly. “Guyanese people are proud to see one of their own exploring dancehall and representing internationally. They see it as Caribbean unity rather than competition.”
Asked about riding the uptempo dancehall riddim, the Georgetown-born singer said, “Yes. I feel comfortable since I’m a versatile singer. Dancehall allows me to be fearless, and I embraced that fully. Honestly, once I let go of overthinking, it became about confidence, self-expression, and owning my femininity without apology. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s all about discipline and support.”
Speaking on juggling school, music, and family life, she added, “My family understands my passion, and I’ve learned to manage my time better so nothing feels neglected.”
Nesta plans to enter her new single in the upcoming Dancehall Monarch Guyana, established two years ago.
“The contest is a big opportunity to showcase the song on a competitive platform. I am confident in the track and my performance. Winning would be amazing, but for me, just making an impact and standing out is already a win,” she said.
Looking ahead, she has a trip to Jamaica on her 2026 bucket list.
“Yes, Jamaica is definitely on my radar. I’m hoping to visit soon to network, collaborate with more artists and producers, and really soak in the culture that inspired the track,” she explained.
Earlier this year, Nesta earned two nominations at the Demerara Music and Entertainment Awards (DEMROC) for Best Female Soca Artist and Best Collaboration for the song “Chocolate Boy,” recorded with Nigy Boy. Though she didn’t win, the nominations marked an important milestone.
Beyond dancehall, she is working on a new EP promising a more personal, genre-blending sound. “I see myself growing internationally, performing more, and releasing music that speaks to even more people,” she said.
Closing out the interview, Nesta had a message for her fans:
“Thank you for the love and support. It doesn’t go unnoticed. Keep streaming, sharing, and believing in me. This is just the beginning, and I’m bringing you much more fire soon.”
