Notch (musician)

Last updated
Notch
Birth nameNorman Howell
Born (1974-05-11) May 11, 1974 (age 49)
Origin Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Genres Reggae, R&B, dancehall, reggaeton
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Years active1990–present
Labels Delicious Vinyl/Eastwest Records

Norman Howell (born May 11, 1973), better known as Notch, is an American R&B, reggae, dancehall, and reggaeton artist. He was the former lead vocalist and one of the creative forces behind the hip-hop/reggae group Born Jamericans. [1]

Contents

He is known for his 2001 chart topper, Nuttin nuh go so. He has featured on albums such as Mas Flow 2 , Mas Flow 2.5 , Chosen Few II: El Documental , Barrio Fino , and The Cosmic Game . His first solo album, Raised by the People, was released in May 2007.

Biography

Early life

Howell was born in Hartford, Connecticut. His mother is of African-American, Native American, and Portuguese descent, however his brothers and sisters, from the same mother but different father, are of Puerto Rican and African-American descent. His father was born in Jamaica and is of Afro-Cuban and French descent. Howell's parents separated when he was still an infant. He spent his early years with his mother, living in Hartford, Connecticut. Howell grew up in a multicultural neighborhood and learned Spanish because most of his friends at that time were of Hispanic descent. He left Connecticut to live with his father in Washington, D.C., when he was nine years old. Notch also spent a short time in Bermuda before moving back to Washington, D.C., where he lived until his early twenties.

Career

Notch is fluent in American English, Jamaican Patois, and Spanish. He mixes all three dialects and languages in some songs, a mixture he calls "Spatoinglish". Notch has worked with Daddy Yankee, Luny Tunes, Voltio, Baby Ranks, Thievery Corporation, Sublime, Pitbull, T-Weaponz, and Rascalz.

Notch has provided vocals on several Thievery Corporation songs, including the title track of The Richest Man in Babylon , "Amerimacka", "Blasting Through the City" and "Strike the Root". Four songs also appear on Thievery's Corporation's "The Temple of I & I" including "Strike the Root," "True Sons of Zion," "Weapons of Distraction," and "Drop Your Guns."

Discography

Born Jamericans

Solo work

Raised by the People
Studio album by
Notch
ReleasedMay 22, 2007
Recorded2006/2007
Genre Reggaeton
Hip hop
Label Cinco Por Cinco Records
Machete Music
Producer Supa Dups

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References

  1. Cordor, Cyril. "Biography: Notch". Allmusic . Retrieved 8 June 2010.