If all goes to plan, Lethalz, an action movie co-starring Jamaican Keturah Hamilton will be released in 2020. Its soundtrack will be spurred by a song of the same title, co-written and sung by Wendy Nikola, her childhood friend.
Originally from Spanish Town, Jamaica’s first capital, Nikola has been a part of the South Florida hip hop scene for some time, but had not released any songs for an extended period. Then came a call from Hamilton, who wanted her to compose a song for Lethalz for which Hamilton is also executive producer.
Nikola, who is in her early 30s, co-wrote the track with Honorebel, another Jamaican artist based in South Florida. He collaborates with Nikola on Lethalz.
“I wasn’t out of the music business, I was still doing it and decided to come back on the frontline. I feel rejuvenated and excited about my journey and I’m looking forward to a great future,” she said.
That rejuvenation has resulted in Nikola recording several new singles including Don’t be Mad, The Real One and It’s About That Life, all of which she wrote. They are driven by the hip hop beats she was weaned on in Miami, her home for 20 years.
At one stage, Nikola (born Wendy Matthews) was part of Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell’s influential Miami camp alongside Honorebel and a then unknown rapper named Pitbull.
Nikola’s prowess as a songwriter has been recognized by artists of note, including jazz guitarist Al Di Meola. She co-wrote I Tried, a song he did with Angie Stone and Macy Gray for his 2006 album, Vocal Rendezvous.
However, contributing to Hamilton’s project, is even more exciting.
“Keturah and I met around the age of 10, when her mom moved in my neighborhood in Spanish Town. She wanted to model and act, and I wanted to own my own record label, and sing. It was our ultimate dream to be superstars,” Nikola recalled.
A short for Lethalz was shown in February at the Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. Production on the film is scheduled to start this summer.
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