Recently Guyana has experienced an upsurge of local acts with international potential but as they work out their game plan Jamaica based Guyanese artiste Natural Black is already on a role. Ultimately he aspires to take his music to the four corners of the earth and with it the Golden Arrowhead. Recently he sat down for a one-on-one candid conversation on Caribbean Music Box where Mondale Smith got up in his Business.
Mondale: We know you as the Kid from Plaisance who moved from welding to selling clothes after school and then became a hit on the Jamaica Music scene who has made Guyanese proud. What have you been up to of recent?
Natural: For me it’s naturally all music from start and continually. Sometimes you get so caught up in it that you go missing for a while and people start to wonder if you detaching your self from them but that not it cause you are with them spiritually.
Mondale: Some say that while you are a Guyanese you have sold your birthright is that true?
Natural: You can’t sell your birthright, what you are, is what you are. Me ah Guyanese 1000 percent and that can’t change no matter what people say. But me want them feh know that me don’t forget them cause if we forget we self we gon lost we self.
Mondale: Your name is Mortimer…How did you end-up with NATURAL BLACK?
Natural: I usually dress in black and white and in Jamaica they usually try to find another name aside from the one you have on your birth paper. At first I was Black and White but the Jamaican industry can’t see through that so since my lifestyle has always been Natural I just take off the white and added Natural and it stuck.
Mondale: Ten albums and counting what has the road been like for you?
Natural: Rough and rugged as life set up but it has it smooth time so I give thanks for those. The challenge is a great challenge but knowing that you can and have reached the level of over coming. It’s a great a joy to know me reach from one level to another.
Mondale: you seem to be very spiritual explain that.
Natural: Yes from you know yourself spiritually you know that you can rise above and go through life with a true purpose. The spiritual part of me ensures that I do not hurt myself or others. I think my spiritual connection keeps me balanced so that I can flow through physically.
Mondale: Take us back to life after school before your big break…
Natural: I lost my mother when I was two and after school I joined the army as an apprentice. I moved all the way up to a Corporal and the experience thought me discipline. There I learnt welding then I resigned and started selling clothes by day and putting in appearances at some night spots at night. As I get in the talent line I started seeking out stage shows to perform then the opportunity came for a trip to Jamaica and the rest is my story.
Mondale: When you arrived in Jamaica what was it like?
Natural Black: In Jamaica the scene was a lot like Guyana and I had to work hard with much dedication and that I did then I got to record my first song. Now ten albums down the road I’m going to take it to another level because there are always greater things to life… I’m trying right now to create an album that appeals to all the people.
Mondale: Let’s talk Family, your family!
Natural: I grew up with my aunty after my Mother died when I was two. Family life comes with various things and often we may not know or understand some mystic in life but I give thanks to my aunty who brought me through the struggle and eventually I got to know my brothers and sisters. My current family includes my woman and two sons.
Mondale: What’s your advice to youths regarding education?
Natural: It requires education to be in my business. With out knowledge you can find yourself in a tight spot because talent alone will not do it. You need discipline, nurturing and guidance.