“My father was a deejay, and I remember playing around with one of his mics at about age six or seven. In that moment I became obsessed with music!”
Nathan Bullen, graduate of UWI St Augustine, who performs under the moniker NVTHY (pronounced “NATHY”), entered his first calypso competition in standard one at Diego Martin Boys RC School. Though he placed last in the competition, NVTHY was determined to succeed and entered the following year and won. He won every year since then, for his entire time at primary school.
As a teenager, NVTHY became fascinated with Bob Marley and roots reggae. This influence only manifested after a life changing encounter with Kylene Dowden, a then coworker and eventually, a supporter and good friend. One day she asked him, why not make conscious music and be the change of which he always speaks. He found it timely, as it was always his intention to change his messaging. Days later, a new afrobeats and reggae artiste emerged with music about his life experiences, love, peace and spirituality.
In 2013, NVTHY embarked on a new path, enrolling in The UWI to study Accounting. During that first year he considered dropping out to pursue music. NVTHY’s mother however, encouraged him to finish his degree. He decided to exercise some patience and diligence and continue. However, he switched to Business Management. A decision that would have a profound impact on his future.
At UWI he would meet Professor Surendra Arjoon, Professor of Business and Professional Ethics in the Department of Management Studies. Professor Arjoon became his mentor and lecturer of “the best course he had ever taken” (Prof Arjoon and his work was profiled in the August 2019 issue of UWI TODAY). He was one of several key people such as the first recording engineer, future music collaborators and colleagues who became big supporters throughout NVTHY’s career.
He praised his degree for equipping him with the skills needed to become established as a music entrepreneur. “I harnessed the positives from my experience [at UWI] and integrated it into all aspects of my life.”
The 26-year old was featured at last year’s staging of Carifesta XIV hosted at the Queen’s Park Savannah. Audiences enjoyed an exhilarating performance of original reggae and Afrobeats songs including hit single and crowd favorite “Obeah”. One of his most notable experiences was the release of his first official music video for the song, “Baiyuwahyuwah”.
NVTHY has so far released a 7-track EP, “Diary Lost in Tropic Waters”, a 5-track EP, “NVTHY I” and other singles and collaborations such as hit song, “Brown Skin Girl” featuring Rayquan868.
He advises upcoming artistes and students to “trust the process, stay away from negative influences and be in spaces where your goals align with the people around you. Put God first, and try to enroll into a school that offers what you want to do; somewhere that will help you!”
