Reggae , Pop, R & B Singer / songwriter- Nato(Blue) was born and raised in Shepherds Bush West London and is making a profound name for himself within the music industry. Growing up in a musical family his father(Tendai Charles) keyboard player for the legendary reggae groups Mysty N Roots, Zabandis and Wisdom. It was no doubt, almost inevitable that Nato would become a singer/songwriter/musician himself. Nato realised his talent from an early age, and in his own words ‘he could sing from as far as he could remember’ and at the tender age of 5 he would sing along at his father’s band rehearsals.
Despite Reggae Music playing an influential role in his musical upbringing he was also highly influenced by soul and rare groove music, played by his mother and his aunties. Nato’s debut album ‘Born to Love’ is an amalgamation of all these genres, whose art forms are fused together in this outstanding debut album.
Nato had his first record deal with Sony Records, as part of a 3 piece vocal group in which he was the founder member, however due to political & various conflicts within the group this did not transpire, yet his unbelievable vocal ability was recognised by Sista’s Valerie Skeete. Nato refers to her as a ‘mother figure’ in his musical career, her affiliation with Jet Star, led Nato to record his first single for Jet Star in 2001. His first breakout single rendition of ‘Thong Song’ a remake of Sisqo (Dru Hill) featured on Jet Star’s “Pop Hits Inna Reggae Vol.2” in 2001 and later on that year Nato’s unfaltering vocals graced Jet Star’s flagship compilation ‘Reggae Hits 34’.
Now Nato has hit the airways again with powerful rendition’s of Justin Timberlake’s ( “What Goes Around”) , Robin Thickes ( “Lost Without You”) and R.Kelly and Usher’s (“ Same Girl”) a collaboration with the UK’s Don Campbell. His debut album “Born to Love” brilliantly blends a soulful R&B sound under an immaculately crafted one drop Reggae rhythm’s laid by Jamaica’s ‘Riddim King’ Computer Paul ,the ‘A Team’ (Mafia and Fluxy, Darren Davidson and Carlton ‘Bubblers’ Oglive) and produced by Danny Ray and Valerie Skeete . The result is track after track of moving melody that is guaranteed to climb the charts.
Raised in a community where role models were scarce for a young Nato, he espouses that ‘growing up on road gives you that realness’ and ‘I think that has influenced both me and my music’. He praises his family as highly influential, ‘they play a major part in my music’ as well as Danny Ray and Valerie Skeete for their contribution to his career so far.
The album is an interesting hybrid of Pop, Reggae & R&B with seductive and soothing vocals, alongside some of the UK’s finest Tuggawar, Don Campbell and Nyima. The national and international response and success Nato received especially in Japan are a testament to the artistry and hard work of one of Britain’s finest ‘home grown’ talents, which suggests that the ground breaking album “Born To Love” is destined to create a storm worldwide.
