Grace is a quality often overlooked in modern day vocal styling. It is not, however, lost on Nate Nixon. Taking the mantle from a long line of silky singers such as Eddie Kendricks and Phillip Bailey, Nate Nixon has managed to carve a niche that is a mellow pastiche of soul and serenity. Legend has it that Nate entered this atmosphere with a song in his heart and has not stopped singing since. Born in Oakland, CA and raised in East Orange, NJ; Nate received a healthy and steady diet of the fi...
Grace is a quality often overlooked in modern day vocal styling. It is not, however, lost on Nate Nixon. Taking the mantle from a long line of silky singers such as Eddie Kendricks and Phillip Bailey, Nate Nixon has managed to carve a niche that is a mellow pastiche of soul and serenity. Legend has it that Nate entered this atmosphere with a song in his heart and has not stopped singing since. Born in Oakland, CA and raised in East Orange, NJ; Nate received a healthy and steady diet of the finest R&B music had to offer. His exposure to the greats such as the late Sam Cooke, The Temptations and The Stylistics helped to fuel his desire to sing. As Nate approached adolescences it became apparent that he would forever be changed by the power of music. By age 15, Nate had become a part of the vocal quartet, Men of Xcellence. These teens specialized in New Jack Swing quartet singing a la JODECI and Boyz II Men. This style would soon define nineties R&B and Pop. Men of Xcellence went on to enjoy vast regional success culminating with an appearance on Showtime at the Apollo. They performed the Stevie Wonder classic “Master Blaster Jammin” with the addition of a searing four part harmony that prompted Showtime host Steve Harvey to proclaim “these boys did some real sangin’!” Following their appearance on Showtime at the Apollo, major labels and producers were courting. Men of Xcellence chose to work with Two-time Grammy Award winning Producer, MUFI. After co-producing the Hip-Hop Classic, U.N.I.T.Y. for Queen Latifah, MUFI was ready for his first major foray into the world of R&B. With the assistance of Sheldon Goode, Grammy nominated Producer (Patti LaBelle and Donnell Jones), Men of Xcellence set out to craft their debut CD. The group however disbanded upon the completion of recording the CD and this masterpiece has remained in the vaults unreleased. Saddened by this, Nate set out on a mission for deeper understanding of the human condition. It was during this period of introspection that many of the seeds that would grow to become “WORD: Love/Life According to Nate Nixon” were planted. Being a solo artist was new terrain for someone who’d spent most of his career surrounded comfortably by his brethren in song. The fraternal dynamic of being in a group was gone. Although apprehensive about what was next, Nate quickly began to break in his solo shoes. Nate began a serious of collaborations with producers including Chucky Thompson(Mary J. Blige, 112), Grammy Award winning Producer Osunlade (Musiq Soulchild, Eric Benet) and Grammy nominated Producers Eddie F. and Darren Lighty (Angie Stone, Jahiem). It became apparent during these sessions that the WORD according to Nate would become a force with which to be reckoned. The WORD grew to become a seamless and seminal statement on what it really means to grow through strength and love. Songs include the lead single “Lifetime”, a beautiful proposal of permanence and commitment co-written and co-produced by Nate with longtime collaborators Vincent Davis and MUFI. “Happy”, a searing commentary on baby-father drama, co-written and co-produced with Vincent Davis and Osunlade and “U Ain’t Said Nuthin But A Word”, a lovely ode to courtship written with Eddie F. and Darren Lighty and Myles Goodwin. Nate has used the benefit of divine intervention and hard work to craft his sound and deliver his message. He invites you to experience what he calls “WORD: Love/Life According to Nate Nixon”; a story that is filled with life lessons as told in song by one of the most exquisite vocalists of our time
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