“Nathan, where you from?
-Seattle!
-Nah man, like where you froooom…?
-Yeah Seattle!
-Nah like what are you?
-American?
-Nah like…
-Congolese
-Ooooh so you speak African
American, I knew dah boy was lyin’
Tell me bout the time you rode a lion
Tell me how it is to live in huts
One time I went camping, it was tough…
Oh okay I got it
I ain't white so I'm exotic…
You ain't tribe but you a native? Hmm…
I'm alright but you the greatest? Hmmm...
When I tell that I'm Congolese
They convinced that I'm a refugee
Nah Papa Nzanga came here for college
Imma need you all to quit testing me
It was Carolina in the 80s… Aye
Then went back and found a lady… Aye
Brought her back and had some babies… Aye
Now you ended up with Natey… Aye
I’m a Crestside baby from the Seatown Shores
My roots motherland but I’m town from the core.
Town from the core I'm down when it pours
Sounds of the shore praise the Lord hear it roar
Town for sure I'm down for sure
Bars galore they down for more
Bars galore they feel the jams
Hear the roars I’ve been the man.
I don't really know who I am but I know the man is who I am destined to be.”
First Generation Nathan
Born and raised in Seattle, Nathan Nzanga is a first generation Congolese-American storyteller with a whole lot of love to share.
Recognizing the power in his pen, Nzanga speaks of a universal truth while taking his audience on an invigorating ride reflecting on his journey through life’s ups and downs. Sonically, Nathan wears all of his influences on his sleeves, blending hip-hop with elements of folk, R&B, soul, gospel and musical theatre.
Nzanga wouldn’t classify himself as just a rapper, but a SoulPop Storyteller.
Compulsion
Nzanga is a member of the Prodigy Project’s community of young, talented storytellers. This short film was made at the 2019 Prodigy Camp by fellow Prodigy fellow student, Stellar.