Georgetown-born songstress Nesta Nelson, better known as “Hot Gyal” Nesta, is making waves once again—this time with two coveted nominations at the upcoming Demerara Music and Entertainment Awards (DEMROC). The rising star has been shortlisted for Best Female Soca Artist and Best Collaboration of the Year for her sizzling track Chocolate Boy, featuring music prodigy Nigy Boy.
The annual DEMROC Awards, which spotlight Guyanese talent across genres, will be staged on November 14 at the National Cultural Centre in Guyana. For Nesta, it’s more than just recognition—it’s a milestone.
“It feels amazing! Just being nominated is such a blessing and a sign that the work I’ve been putting in is being recognized,” she told Caribbean National Weekly newspaper. “Of course, winning would be incredible—but either way, I’m proud to be here.”
Though Chocolate Boy is still fresh, the collaboration has already created a buzz. Nigy Boy, who is visually impaired but continues to shine as one of the Caribbean’s most dynamic young voices, brought undeniable chemistry to the project.
“Recording with Nigy was a whole vibe!” Nesta recalled. “He’s so talented and down to earth. We had great energy in the studio and everything just flowed naturally. People connected with that vibe—the rhythm was catchy, the visuals were clean, and the chemistry was real.”
This is Nesta’s first time being nominated at DEMROC, which makes the recognition even sweeter. She has been steadily carving out her lane since bursting onto the scene in 2015, when she placed third in the Soca Monarch competition. Her career quickly evolved, moving into a fusion of R&B and dancehall that caught international attention, particularly after her breakout single Body Callin with reggae luminary Tarrus Riley. Tracks like Essence—featured in the film Diary of a Badman—and her sultry 2025 release Hot Gyal have only cemented her reputation as one of Guyana’s brightest exports.
“Hot Gyal allows me to feel strong and beautiful, which is something I never felt growing up,” Nesta explained. “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 Gyal from Guyana,” is a title she embraces with pride.
“[Laughs] I love it! It’s fun, it’s bold, and it makes me proud to represent where I’m from. I carry that title with pride and a little bit of sass too,” she shared.
Beyond the awards, Nesta is already looking ahead to the future. She is currently working on a new EP that promises to showcase a more personal side, with a mix of sounds and collaborations. And yes, another project with Nigy Boy is something she would welcome.
“We’ve talked about it and we both feel there’s more magic to make. So yeah—stay tuned!” she teased.
As she prepares to step onto the DEMROC stage on November 14, Nesta has her eyes firmly fixed on the future.
“I see myself growing internationally, doing more performances, and releasing music that speaks to even more people,” she said. “I want to keep leveling up—representing Guyana on bigger stages and just staying true to who I am.”
