Robyn Hinds

By Kathy Borsuk

Although I am not a fan of electronic media, this is one time when print falls short. The only way to do justice to Robyn Hinds’ talent is to hear it! Her powerful, soulful voice lifts glorious praise to the Lord, to Whom she gives all thanks for her awesome gift.
In July 2014, Robyn was the Turks & Caicos Islands’ first winner in the Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards, as well as being the first female nominated from the Caribbean in the Traditional Recording category. This adds to her accolade of being the 2011 winner of TCI’s Gospel Best.

When you speak to 28-year-old Robyn Hinds, the first thing you notice is her quiet, humble manner, complimented by a big, beautiful smile. Robyn makes no secret of the fact that she is a servant of God, and gives Him all the glory for her amazing voice and song-writing talent, saying, “I am doing what He placed me on earth to do.”

Growing up in the close-knit community of Grand Turk, Robyn had plenty of opportunities to sing in public. She recalls, “My parents Grantley and Marionette Hinds encouraged me from the time I was three to nurture my talent ‘live on stage.’ My sister and I, joined occasionally by my two brothers, sang at Salem Baptist and other churches, school, concerts, funerals, weddings, and other social and civic events. We never saw it as a chore, but as something we loved to do.”
Robyn regularly won talent competitions, graduated with top honors from H.J. Robinson High School, served for three years as president of RAPPORT, the youth arm of TCI’s National AIDS program, and was first runner-up for Soroptimist Girl of the Year in 2003. On the strength of these accomplishments, she was chosen as TCI’s Youth Ambassador/Dean of the Caricom Youth Ambassador Program from 2004 to 2006. In that position, she travelled throughout the Caribbean and internationally, leaving behind a trail of admirers in every country. “I was known as ‘the singer,’” she explains, “and sang my way around the world.”
Robyn attended college at Barry University in Florida and was chosen to sing the “Star Spangled Banner” for crowds of tennis fans at the Sony Ericsson Tennis Open, after regularly performing the U.S. national anthem for university events and basketball and football games. Here, she served as president of the Barry University Voices of Praise Gospel Choir, among other offices, and graduated in 2009 with a B.S. Degree in Economics.

Due to financial constraints, Robyn’s recording career didn’t start until she won the title of “TCI’s Gospel Best” in 2010. The prize was the opportunity to cut a CD, and Robyn made best use of the blessing. After working for more than a year in the studio, writing and recording eight original works and one cover, her freshman album, “This Could Be It” hit the streets in March 2013. Including contributions from Tito Missick and Pastor Chad Archibald, and a cover of “The Lord is My Shepherd,” Robyn’s mother’s favorite song, the album was quite a success. Besides receiving steady airplay and positive reviews, the blend of contemporary, traditional, and pop gospel has already sold over 600 copies.
One song in particular, the original single, “Jesus,” caught the attention of the nominating committee for the prestigious Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards 2014, held annually in Nassau, Bahamas since 1996. Awards are distributed in over fifty categories, with the goal of inspiring and encouraging excellence and growth in Caribbean gospel music. Nominations and winners are selected by a panel of industry professionals.
Robyn says she was ecstatic when she learned that she was nominated in three categories: Adapted Traditional Recording of the Year (for “The Lord is My Shepherd”), Traditional Female Vocal Performance of the Year (for “Jesus”), and Traditional Recording of the Year (for “Jesus”). Thanks to a long list of local sponsors (see sidebar) and the enthusiastic support of her loyal Grand Turk community, Robyn was able to make the trip to Nassau in July.
As the youngest nominee, Robyn says she was mentored there by a number of seasoned professionals, and welcomed into an international network of gospel recording artists, songwriters, and producers. All are dedicated to produce and create recordings in the spirit of excellence towards the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
Although it came as a surprise, Robyn had no qualms when asked to sing “His Eyes on the Sparrow,” for the Marlin Summit event. After all, performing on stage is second nature! Accepting awards is sure to become second nature as well, as Robyn’s rendition of her original song “Jesus” was chosen as Traditional Recording of the Year.
Robyn dedicates this prestigious award to her brother Ralston “Rolly” Hinds, who died tragically and unexpectedly at the young age of 31, shortly before Robyn planned to leave for the Marlin event. She says, “I almost didn’t go. But I asked God for the courage and strength to carry on because that’s what Rolly would have wanted me to do. He was an important part of my early singing days and always an inspiration.”
Although currently an employee at Fortis TCI, Robyn’s future plans are powered by God! She says, “My whole life changed when I saw singing as my ministry, not just my hobby. I believe we were placed on earth for a greater purpose, and that is to walk in God’s will with the gifts he gives us. When we seek His face, blessings will follow.” Robyn says she has fund-raising concerts planned at the Seventh Day Adventist Church and Prophecy Church in Providenciales in the near future, and a gospel show with local singer Marvin Hendfield is “in the talking stage.”
But I can tell that Robyn is itching to record another album. She muses, “I’ve been working on songs that represent my sound—me and my relationship with God, how I feel when I’m singing for God. Now it’s a matter of coming up with funds for studio time. But God is the source of my strength and I am praying to Him for greater things.”

“This Could Be It” can be purchased at the Pentecost Book Store and the Unicorn Book Store in Providenciales, and at D.J.’s Variety Bakery and Any Occasion Florist in Grand Turk. It can be downloaded at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RobynHinds.