Newani Martinez Carries Garifuna Music Forward

Newani Martinez carries his father’s musical legacy, but he is not content to live in its shadow. At just twenty, the rising Belizean artist is putting a fresh spin on paranda and punta, winning over audiences at home and abroad. Now, as he prepares to release original music, Newani is ready to show the world who he is as an artist. News Five’s Britney Gordon has his story in this week’s edition of Belize on Reel.

 

Machel Montano

“He gave me a little drum that I still have to this day, But we didn’t get to make the music. We didn’t get to share the stage. So I want to share the stage with the next best thing.”

 

Imagine sharing the stage with soca superstar Machel Montano while honoring your own father. For twenty-year-old Newani Martinez, that unforgettable moment became a touching tribute to the late Aurelio Martínez.

 

Newani Martinez, Belizean Artist

“That moment to me was the greatest moment of my life, because I’ve always told my manager, “If anyone in the world, I want to do a collab with Machel Montano.  We talk about that over and over and over, and she’s like, ah, I don’t know, you know. That’s a big leap. But I’m like, if it should happen, that’s what I want to do. And so be it. It happened. And yeah, that basically kick-started a new path on my career.”

 

Aurelio Martínez was more than a celebrated Honduran singer-songwriter. He became a powerful voice for the Garifuna people and helped carry their music and culture across the world. His death in a plane crash last year sent shockwaves throughout the region. Record producer Ivan Duran, who worked closely with Aurelio after meeting him in 1998, credits the late musician with helping to save paranda from extinction. He also witnessed the special bond between Aurelio and his son, Newani.

 

Ivan Duran, Record Producer

“He would send me videos when he was, like, two years old, knocking the guy off on a drum and, and being a, such a proud dad. And he told me, one day you’re gonna have to record him. I say, yes, but he’s only two years old now.  Newani, Nuani is a natural talent, and even, I think even Aurelio was very impressed how natural this talent came to him.”

 

His father’s death marked a turning point, launching his career amid personal grief. Since then, he has been forging a path of his own, dedicated to honoring his father while also staying authentic to his own sound.

 

Newani Martinez

“ Well, I create my own music. Create my own identity behind or in front of what people know as, as my dad, of my dad. But there’s no getting away from it. It will always be there. People will always know me because of my dad, but the younger generation will know me for me. So, it’s just that balance that we have to find.”

 

Although Martinez did not pursue a musical career because of his father, he is proud to celebrate and preserve his heritage. Alex Nolberto, president of the National Garifuna Council, applauds Martinez’s work.

 

Alex Nolberto, President, National Garifuna Council

“My engagement with Aurelio, his relationship with the other musicians, my engagement with Newani, as the young generation now takes up the mantle, I think it underscores the point that the youth or youth are our future, and we remain hopeful that we have young people who can take up the mantle and carry on with the work.”

 

Newani Martinez’s musical journey began in his primary school years, with dances, skits, and drumming before expanding into singing and guitar in high school. His passion for music inspired him to form The B with the Boys, and he now performs across North and Central America.

 

Newani Martinez

“Thank you to everyone that supports me and that’s behind me and my music. It’s not that easy just being put into the limelight, and people are very aware of that, and they’re supportive of that, I’m new into this. I’m just learning and growing, and people understand that there’s a lot other than what they see on the surface.”

 

While continuing to build his career as a performer, Martinez is also pursuing higher education at the University of Belize, where he is studying business. He doesn’t know what the future has in store, but he hopes to carry music with him for the rest of his life. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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