Nadir's Bio

“To label Nadir as a neo-soul artist would be neglecting his rock roots; to call him a rock artist would be overlooking his hip-hop and jazz influences. Fully encompassing all the talents that Nadir possesses would be comparable to expanding the mathematical term Pi to its last digit.” – The Michigan Chronicle, Detroit, Michigan

Throw your boxes away.

The music that flows from the mind and soul of Nadir Omowale simply defies genre classification. R&B, Rock, Funk, Hip Hop and Jazz are spun into such a heady mix through his recordings and performances, that the listener no longer has any interest in limits or labels.

A world traveler at an early age as a military son, raised in Tennessee and immersed in gospel and Nashville songwriting traditions, now steeped in the rich Motown, Rock, Hip-Hop and Electronic legacy of his Motor City home — the eleven-time Detroit Music Award winner’s musical influences are myriad and deep.

“Some of my earliest memories revolve around my family’s old console stereo,” says Nadir, “My dad’s Curtis Mayfield and Al Green records, mom’s Aretha Franklin and James Cleveland, my brother’s P-Funk, Kiss and Van Halen albums — all fired my imagination long before I knew my ABC’s or could write my name.”

This heritage is evident in every note on The Book of Jonah, Nadir’s chronicle of 2012, and his third full-length album. SoulTracks.com called the record “…one the top albums of 2012. Highly Recommended.” Detroit’s Metro Times calls The Book of Jonah “a dirty, honest little funk ’n’ roll record recalling George Clinton, early Stevie Wonder and the MC5 in a big sonic soup…” With each page of The Book of Jonah, the award-winning songwriter fashions a lyrical narrative of love and loss, of fear and fearlessness, painted on a tapestry that weaves progressive soul with indie rock, twenty-first century blues, and new Detroit funk.

A patriotic citizen of planet earth, Nadir is always tuned into the global conversation of politics, culture and change. He developed a strong following amidst activists and tastemakers throughout the US, Europe and Canada while touring in support of his two earlier releases, Distorted Soul 2.0 (2004) and Workin’ for the Man (2008). Nadir is a fearless voice of reason and resolute advocate for positive change, who has earned tremendous respect from the broader artistic and cultural community.

Nadir’s music represents the evolution and celebration of an ancient blues credo, in that it tells stories from the heart, for the heart. It is also a reflection of all that is funky and joyful. The soulful vocals wrap up the entire package for an unforgettable listening and live experience. Join Nadir as he continues his journey down the road of honest and contemplative song crafting, conveying to us all just the right helping of magical, musical soul food at exactly the right time. But leave your boxes at home. You won’t need them.

“If Motown had never moved to L.A., this is what it would sound like today.”
- Jane Asher, Radio Sophie 103.7FM, San Diego, California -