Black History Month: Ultra Naté

Black History Month: Ultra Naté

3 February, 2011 | 7.00AM

• Written by: Justin Jack
• Filed under: Music News: black history month, deep sugar, ultra nate

Once again, in celebration of Black History Month, Beatportal spotlights some of the legends of American dance music. No matter how globalized house, techno, and their offshoots may have become, these artists remind us how the music remains rooted in African-American culture and music—an essential extension of the soul and R&B traditions, no matter how far from the source it may travel.

Our first featured artist is Ultra Naté, one of the best known and most beloved voices in house music. Working alongside artists like the Basement Boys and Mood II Swing, her hits date back to 1991, when she released her debut album, Blue Notes in the Basement. Unlike many vocalists to come from club music, Naté has only deepened her involvement over the years, leaving Warner in favor of Strictly Rhythm, and even launching her own label, Blufire. An award-winning recording artist, performer, record executive, and mother, Naté is an inspiration to anyone who dreams of forging his or her own path in the music industry.

Read on for an interview with the pioneering singer and house figurehead.

This year marks a significant milestone in your career. You are celebrating 20 years as a performer, songwriter and DJ. Looking back, what do you see as the most important moments in that career?

Twenty years is a long time, and yet there’s still so much more to do! It’s hard to nail down specific moments when you just get on with the business of doing something you love.  It’s like being on autopilot most of the time. But a moment that sticks out for me would be when I was first signed to Warner. I was a kid planning on pursuing a career in medicine one day, then waking up in England to shoot a video for my first single, “It’s Over Now,” and preparing to perform on Top of the Pops the next. 

Another would be when I first recorded “Free” and had made this cool rock record (intentionally) but I wasn’t considered a “rock” artist, so Mood ll Swing and I changed the drums to give it a “dance” sensibility.  We really didn’t know how people would receive such a different kind of dance record, but when I got to WMC that year, by day three it was massive—all over the beach, everywhere… It became the shot heard round the world.

In recent years, I would say it’s now having such a diverse catalog of music to my credit, two labels under my control to release my music as well as others’.  It’s an amazing accomplishment, given the state of the music industry over the last few years.

In recognition of Black History Month, who are your mentors or heroes, and how have they impacted your own music and career?

I admire Obama. That guy has the toughest job on the planet but still maintains his swagger. To be the first black president in America, and coming into office at the messiest time possible? That takes courage…

I also love Tina Turner and have been inspired by her story since I was a teenager. I love the fact that she found her way out of abusive circumstances and the uncertainty of the music business but still found her biggest success after 35—and with children!  She’s my hero. 

There’s Oprah, who has spent her life trying to put something positive out to the masses while living under a microscope. I remember clearly when I was a kid and she was still an anchorwoman here in Baltimore; she was friends with my godmother. She walked into the living room one day and I was mesmerized… I thought to myself, that’s Oprah Winfrey, the anchorwoman from the news...wow! Little did I know at the time that she would become OPRAH!

For you, what are the important links between house music and African-American culture?

House music is very much an amalgam of R&B, gospel, jazz and African stylings. It’s ingrained in African-American culture.... as natural as breathing.

As house music has become more global, do you ever worry that it has lost contact with its roots?

House has gone through sooooo many evolutions as it’s been globalized, and part of that is to dilute it down for the masses. House in its purest form is considered “underground,” which means it doesn’t get massive exposure and support from radio and the major labels. It’s not considered “commercially viable” as it once was when it was first stumbled upon by the majors. There are many reasons for this—how much time do we have...? But there will always be house, because it speaks to the soul, and therefore people will continue to make it.

Can you discuss the awards have you won and what they mean to you?

Awards are like little reminders and confirmations to me.  Means I’m doing what I love and it’s being appreciated. I’ve won a few IDMAs, a few ASCAP writer awards and dance awards from different places around the world. I have a few of those commemorative plaques for record sales in certain territories and such. I don’t speak about it much cause I don’t like to sound like I’m bragging...that’s not hot. When you’re fierce you don’t have to tell people—they’ll know. Your works will speak for themselves. 

What inspired you when you’re writing music?

I just need to be in a good head. Writing inspiration can come from anywhere at anytime. When you’re a writer you’re just a sponge, sensitive to everything around you. 

Who are some of your favorite producers to work with?

I’ve worked with a lot of producers over the years, so it’s hard to nail it down to one or two. There’s a different chemistry with everyone, from Basement Boys to D’Influence to Mood ll Swing, Lenny Kravitz, Al Mack, Quentin Harris, David Morales, Louie Vega. I mean, really!

What’s an absolute necessity to me is that there is a mutual respect for what each entity brings to the table—that the effort is collaborative, that we vibe off each other. That’s when creating is fun and organic. You have to trust your talent and the producers, and vice versa.

What’s happening now for you as an artist?

I’m in the finishing stages of my eighth studio album, Hero Worship, which I want to have released by this summer. The first single, “Turn It Up,” drops February 22. I’ve already started on the next album, which is the first project I’ve ever done as a duo—it’s with Quentin Harris as Black Stereo Faith. So I’ve actually been writing and recording for two albums simultaneously for the last 2 years! They are very different conceptually, and, probably since I’m a Pisces, it’s easy to flow back and forth between the two vibes.

Can you tell us about your label Deep Sugar?

Deep Sugar Music actually started out as Sugar, named after my monthly deep house party in Baltimore. I started DJing at my party and built that up then expanded into a new record label, now backed by Strictly Rhythm—I had already released my last two albums, Grime, Silk & Thunder and Alchemy, on my BluFire label with Tommy Boy. I decided to evolve the name to Deep Sugar to represent the style of music we play at the party and release commercially but with a feminine sensibility (thus the “Sugar"). I have three artists signed to the label also—classic R&B/dance artist Sybil, Jada Givenchy, and Lisa Mack. Sybil’s next release, “Troubled Waters” is March 8 with production by Matthias Heilbronn and remixes by Frankie Knuckles, DJ Spen & The MuthaFunkas, and Codebreaker! It’s a lot more work trying to focus on my music and releases as well as three other artists, so a good support team is necessary. My right-hand peeps that help maintain the party also double with the label. And of course my management team in New York—Peace Bisquit have helped navigate this whole quagmire from the beginning of this 20 year adventure so far.

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