Lady in red
The Hindu : Janet Gabriel looks like she is on fire with her red lipstick, red nail polish and red outfit. But her scarlet red demeanour seems to sing this singer’s song of fiery, hot passion for rhythm and blues. And her album “The Fire Within” burns with her fast, racy lyrics talking of “life, love, empowerment and day-to-day living”.
This Nigerian singer with a smoky voice was born in Hackney, London and returned to Nigeria when she was ten years old where she completed her education. The voluptuous pharmacist started singing when since she was eight at the Methodist Church. She came back to England in 1997, after winning the Miss Nigeria title in 1993.
It has been a decade since Janet has been doing back-up vocals and session work with the Ministry of Sound and a West End play among others. Two years ago she wrote self-compositions for her album “The Fire Within”, with her six-member band Neophonics, which she says she largely promoted online. In May this year, they did a tour of her home country, Nigeria, where the heart-warming response has prompted plans of another tour.
“It was my Indian friends who persuaded me to come to India”, says Janet who “came on a bit of a holiday, tried her hands in networking and then see what the music scene is all about.” The 34-year-old singer is on her way to Delhi, Cochin, Goa and Hyderabad. “I am open to whatever happens and I don’t know why I didn’t come here earlier.” She even performed with Prince at the Rio in Vegas, which she attended “just as a fan”. She grimaces, “I even did a duet with Paris Hilton.” She says she is a fan of Prince and will never forget that experience.
“I am in control of what I do. If people want me to sing a certain way, I…More
