Nat Powers

Nat Powers
Nat Powers in Paris, June 2012
Background information
Birth name	Nathaniel Jeffrey
Also known as	Mr Powers
Born	(1986-06-04) 4 June 1986
Origin	Leicester, East Midlands, U.K.
Genres	Hip hop, rap, grime, soul, R&B, Motown, Neo soul
Occupation(s)	Songwriter, Record producer, Composer, Lyricist, Poet
Instruments	Vocals, Drums, Akai MPC, Keyboards, SSL Board
Years active	1999–present
Associated acts	Sam Sneed, Spice One, Ghostface Killah, The Pharcyde, Run Dmc, Darryl McDaniels, Newham Generals, Leroy Burgess, Heartless Crew, Death Row Records, Maxi Priest, Professor Green, Danny Boy (singer), Tray Deee, Tha Eastsidaz
Website	www.nat-powers.com

Nat Powers Signature

Nat Powers (born Nathaniel Jeffrey on 4 June 1986) is a British lyricist, song writer, record producer and poet from Leicester who has become one of the first British musicians to work with hip-hop figures such as Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC, Spice One and form relationships with a majority of the iconic Death Row Records roster. He was also the first Brit to ever be mentored by multi-platinum rapper and producer Sam Sneed.^[1] He has also been co-mentored by musician Leroy Burgess of the 1970s R&B group Black Ivory, who himself was mentored by Stevie Wonder when he was rising to fame. Powers has described these advisory relationships as "empowering".^[2]

Early years

With a background in philosophy, poetry, classical music, and art, he eventually concentrated solely on music. He enrolled in a local college course in 2003 and studied Music Technology, adapting new skills and discovering further recording techniques and talents. Since then he has also graduated with a bachelor's degree in Music, Technology and Innovation.^[3] During his university studies he began working with orchestras and choirs on many of his compositions, building relationships with others as a conductor, choir director and film scorer.^[4]

Doctor's Note

In 2010, he began close a working relationship with the son of Dr Dre, Curtis Young. Together they created an album, titled 'Doctor's Note' with Young on Rhymes and Powers on the Music Production. The album had a worldwide release in September 2012. Critics called the album "strong" with material which was "hard to fault".^[5]

Explosion Incident

On 31 August 2011, Nat Powers and his mother narrowly escaped being killed in an explosion that tore apart a kebab shop. A body was discovered in the wreckage by firefighters, and was later identified as employee Fiaz Ahmed Ansari. Six people – two men and four women were arrested by police shortly after the explosion, and in September 2012 two of the suspects were found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for eight years each.^[6] Nat Powers described seeing flame ball shoot out and the metal shutters "flying across the road" to local media in a TV interview, and remarked that to avoid something as devastating as that, "someone was most certainly watching over them".^[7]

Career

2012-2013

In late 2012 he began working with British Grime artist D Double E, Maxi Priest and produced more than half of an upcoming album for West Coast legend Spice One. Other collaborations he has made include Yukmouth of Luniz, Three 6 Mafia, CJ Mac, The Manhattans, RBX, Akil the MC of Jurassic 5, Slip Capone, Danny Boy (singer), Run Dmc and many more. There have been numerous reports online about his possible involvement with scoring part of the soundtrack to an upcoming movie about N.W.A. starring the group's children as the rappers in their heyday.^[8]

In February 2013 he produced the official remix to British urban group The Rascals, featuring Professor Green, released on EMI/Virgin Records.^[9] In the summer of 2013, he began working on new material for Ghostface Killah, and formed a new working relationship with Young Dirty Bastard, first born son of the late Ol' Dirty Bastard, adding to his reputation of "playing a significant role with the children of Hip-Hop legends".^[10] During the autumn of 2013, he began extensive work on a full album for The Pharcyde, and is reportedly also in talks with ex "drug empire" convict "Freeway" Rick Ross about contributing to the film score for his upcoming movie biopic.^[11]

After not performing live for over 10 years whilst concentrating on his production career, Powers made a comeback as a performing artist in late 2013. The concert was held in Paris in well-known venue La Bellevilloise, and weeks later he returned to perform again at Le Petit-Bain on the Seine river.^[12]

2014

In February 2014 Nat Powers announced the release of his first ever debut solo single, titled 'Napoleon Bonaparte'. The single and official video are both slated for release on 25 March 2014.^[13]

After an eight month break from music, and a two month visit to Malawi in Africa, Powers returned to his career by producing a new single titled 'Lovely Jubbly' for UK Grime artist D Double E. The song received a worldwide premiere on MistaJam's show on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1xtra on 4 October 2014.^[14] On 15 October 2014, the official video for 'Lovely Jubbly' was released by Noisey and Vice (magazine). The video stars D Double E as a cockney mobster turned debt collector, with Powers co-starring as his 'right hand man' and driver. ^[15]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nat Powers.

• http://www.nat-powers.com | Official Website