Malik Al Nasir
Encyclopedia
Malik Al Nasir is a British
author and poet, born in Liverpool
, England
in 1966 to a Welsh mother and a Guyanese father. He grew up partly with his family in Liverpool and after the paralysis of his father, he was taken into local authority care. He successfully sued the government for neglect, racism and physical abuse whilst in their care and received a public apology from Liverpool's Lord Mayor.
Malik is the author of the book Ordinary Guy under his previous name Mark T. Watson. He is the founder and Chief Executive of UK publishing house Fore-Word Press
. "Ordinary guy" is a collection of poetry and explanatory prose that spans a period of 10 years within the authors late teens and twenties. The book includes "Malik's Mode" - A foreword by Jalal Mansur Nuriddin
of the Last Poets. Ordinary Guy was written in tribute to Gil Scott-Heron
& The Last Poets. (see: BBC Radio Merseyside article & interview) and contains 33 poems along with illustrations and explanatory prose.
Malik also featured in a documentary film about his poetry along with Gil Scott Heron, The Last Poets
and Benjamin Zephaniah
. The film is called Word Up - From Ghetto to Mecca and features commentary on Malik's work and performance poetry by Malik. Fore-Word Press
exclusively screened the film, (which was produced by UKTV
's commissioning editor Shirani Sabaratnam, former BBC
and Channel 4
producer) at Phoenix Cinema Leicester UK as part of the 2011 Black History Month events, which Leicester City Council branded a tribute to the late Gil Scott Heron.
Malik also wrote and produced two albums of his poetry and songs, Rhythms of the Diaspora Vol. 1 & 2, featuring Gil Scott Heron, The Last Poets, LL Cool J
, Stanley Clarke
, Swiss Chris, Rod Youngs, Larry McDonald, Shaza and Ms Marie. The albums were recorded at Sarm Studios in Readding, and wyclef Jean
's Platinum Sound Recording Studios
in New York. Mixed by Serge Tsai and mastered by Chris Gherringer at Sterling Sound New York.
Malik is currently researching the life of Andrew Watson (boen 1857, d. unknown) who was the first Black footballer in history - and one of the architects of the game of soccer as it is known today - for inclusion in a book about the life of Watson, who came from Guyana in 1860 and ended up captaining Scotland in the 1880s. http://www.gedboy.com/watson.html
In 2006 Malik co-founded Dubai-based production company MediaCPR and its record label MCPR Music. Conceptually MediaCPR wanted to develop clean content in mainstream music that could entertain listeners without being offensive or explicit. In this context, Malik along with a team of music producers pioneered a new genre of music which they called "Drum Fusion". The idea was to unite traditional rhythms with contemporary song arrangements and apply positive lyrical content to produce a new style of music which could be applied to any genre. The drum fusion formula involves developing a full organic sound composition derived exclusively from the use of drum, percussion, the human voice and natural sounds such as wind, rain, running water etc. The first album to hit the streets using the drum fusion formulae is that of Jamacan master percussionist Larry McDonald YouTube Documentary. The album is entitled Drumquestra AOL music. The concept was developed collaboratively between Malik Al Nasir who is the executive producer, Larry McDonald himself who wanted to showcase his 50-year recording career as a percussionist working with everyone from Bob Marley
to Taj Mahal and also by producer Sidney Mills
from Grammy Award winning Reggae band Steel Pulse
. Lenny B did a dub-dance remix of one of the tracks off the album called Set the Children Free. The original album version was recorded with Grammy winner Toots & the Maytals
The dance remix by Lenny B Lenny B Dub Mix demonstrates the versatility of Larry's music and how the Drum Fusion formula (which Leny B also worked to), can cross genre's and be totally relevant to the young as well as the old traditionalists. Malik Al Nasir was also co-writer on two tracks off the album Drumquestra "Peace of Mind" (Which Malik also co-produced with Sidney Mills
featuring Shaza) and"Crime Or Music"http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crime-or-Music/dp/B0026DO45Q Featuring veteran SKA legend Stranger Cole
and Reggae drummer Sly Dunbar
. Additional percussion on this track was provided by STICKY THOMPSON
of The Wailers
and Bongo Herman
.
In 2010, Malik Al Nasir graduated with an MA in New Media Production from Liverpool Screen School (A faculty of Liverpool John Moores University); as his thesis piece he created a web based multimedia software program for genealogical family tree building, called Ancestory. The software allows for the building of interactive multimedia family trees, that can be shared over social networks and authored by the public. Ancestory is probably the first interactive multimedia family tree builder, with social network integration.
Malik also holds a BA Hon's. In Geography & Soiology from Liverpool Hope University
and a PgDip in Applied Social Research from The University of Liverpool.
Upon news of the death of his mentor Gil Scott Heron In May 2011 Malik Al Nasir flew to New York to attend the funeral services http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jun/19/gil-scott-heron-saved-me and is planning a series of tribute events in Liverpool in honor of Gil Scott Heron for 2012.
Malik is a social commentator and has periodically participated in news items on issues relating to refugees, social exclusion, BBC News asylum seekers in the UK, social unrest Al Jazeera in Liverpool and racism Liverpool Echo
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
author and poet, born in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1966 to a Welsh mother and a Guyanese father. He grew up partly with his family in Liverpool and after the paralysis of his father, he was taken into local authority care. He successfully sued the government for neglect, racism and physical abuse whilst in their care and received a public apology from Liverpool's Lord Mayor.
Malik is the author of the book Ordinary Guy under his previous name Mark T. Watson. He is the founder and Chief Executive of UK publishing house Fore-Word Press
Fore-Word Press
Fore-Word Press Ltd. is an independent publishing house based in Liverpool UK. It was founded in 2004 by CEO Malik Al Nasir with the intention of giving voice to minority ethnic authors, who for one reason or another - could not get their manuscripts published in the mainstream. Fore-Word Press has...
. "Ordinary guy" is a collection of poetry and explanatory prose that spans a period of 10 years within the authors late teens and twenties. The book includes "Malik's Mode" - A foreword by Jalal Mansur Nuriddin
Jalal Mansur Nuriddin
Jalaluddin Mansur Nuriddin, born in Brooklyn, New York, 1944, is one of the founding members of The Last Poets, a group of poets and musicians that evolved in the 1960s out of the Harlem Writers Workshop in New York City.-Biography:...
of the Last Poets. Ordinary Guy was written in tribute to Gil Scott-Heron
Gil Scott-Heron
Gilbert "Gil" Scott-Heron was an American soul and jazz poet, musician, and author known primarily for his work as a spoken word performer in the 1970s and '80s...
& The Last Poets. (see: BBC Radio Merseyside article & interview) and contains 33 poems along with illustrations and explanatory prose.
Malik also featured in a documentary film about his poetry along with Gil Scott Heron, The Last Poets
The Last Poets
The Last Poets is a group of poets and musicians who arose from the late 1960s African American civil rights movement's black nationalist thread...
and Benjamin Zephaniah
Benjamin Zephaniah
Benjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah is an English writer and dub poet. He is a well-known figure in contemporary English literature, and was included in The Times list of Britain's top 50 post-war writers in 2008....
. The film is called Word Up - From Ghetto to Mecca and features commentary on Malik's work and performance poetry by Malik. Fore-Word Press
Fore-Word Press
Fore-Word Press Ltd. is an independent publishing house based in Liverpool UK. It was founded in 2004 by CEO Malik Al Nasir with the intention of giving voice to minority ethnic authors, who for one reason or another - could not get their manuscripts published in the mainstream. Fore-Word Press has...
exclusively screened the film, (which was produced by UKTV
UKTV
UKTV is a digital cable and satellite television network, formed through a joint venture between BBC Worldwide, a commercial subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation, and Scripps Networks Interactive, spun off from The E.W Scripps Company in 2008...
's commissioning editor Shirani Sabaratnam, former BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
producer) at Phoenix Cinema Leicester UK as part of the 2011 Black History Month events, which Leicester City Council branded a tribute to the late Gil Scott Heron.
Malik also wrote and produced two albums of his poetry and songs, Rhythms of the Diaspora Vol. 1 & 2, featuring Gil Scott Heron, The Last Poets, LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
, Stanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke
Stanley Clarke is an American jazz musician and composer known for his innovative and influential work on double bass and electric bass guitar as well as for his numerous film and television scores...
, Swiss Chris, Rod Youngs, Larry McDonald, Shaza and Ms Marie. The albums were recorded at Sarm Studios in Readding, and wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country...
's Platinum Sound Recording Studios
Platinum Sound Recording Studios
Platinum Sound Recording Studios is a boutique recording studio in Manhattan, New York City, located on restaurant row in the theater district. Founded in 2000 by multi-platinum record producers, the studio is one of the leading luxury commercial recording studios -Platinum albums and singles:*The...
in New York. Mixed by Serge Tsai and mastered by Chris Gherringer at Sterling Sound New York.
Malik is currently researching the life of Andrew Watson (boen 1857, d. unknown) who was the first Black footballer in history - and one of the architects of the game of soccer as it is known today - for inclusion in a book about the life of Watson, who came from Guyana in 1860 and ended up captaining Scotland in the 1880s. http://www.gedboy.com/watson.html
In 2006 Malik co-founded Dubai-based production company MediaCPR and its record label MCPR Music. Conceptually MediaCPR wanted to develop clean content in mainstream music that could entertain listeners without being offensive or explicit. In this context, Malik along with a team of music producers pioneered a new genre of music which they called "Drum Fusion". The idea was to unite traditional rhythms with contemporary song arrangements and apply positive lyrical content to produce a new style of music which could be applied to any genre. The drum fusion formula involves developing a full organic sound composition derived exclusively from the use of drum, percussion, the human voice and natural sounds such as wind, rain, running water etc. The first album to hit the streets using the drum fusion formulae is that of Jamacan master percussionist Larry McDonald YouTube Documentary. The album is entitled Drumquestra AOL music. The concept was developed collaboratively between Malik Al Nasir who is the executive producer, Larry McDonald himself who wanted to showcase his 50-year recording career as a percussionist working with everyone from Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
to Taj Mahal and also by producer Sidney Mills
Sidney Mills
Sidney Mills was born in the UK in 1959 and moved to Jamaica as a child. He was raised in the Saint Thomas Parish and became a musician from an early age he moved to Kingston the late sixties....
from Grammy Award winning Reggae band Steel Pulse
Steel Pulse
Steel Pulse is a roots reggae musical band. They originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, in Birmingham, England, composed of David Hinds , Basil Gabbidon , and Ronald McQueen .-History:...
. Lenny B did a dub-dance remix of one of the tracks off the album called Set the Children Free. The original album version was recorded with Grammy winner Toots & the Maytals
Toots & the Maytals
Toots and the Maytals, originally called simply The Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group and one of the best known ska and reggae vocal groups. According to Sandra Brennan at Allmusic, "The Maytals were key figures in reggae music...
The dance remix by Lenny B Lenny B Dub Mix demonstrates the versatility of Larry's music and how the Drum Fusion formula (which Leny B also worked to), can cross genre's and be totally relevant to the young as well as the old traditionalists. Malik Al Nasir was also co-writer on two tracks off the album Drumquestra "Peace of Mind" (Which Malik also co-produced with Sidney Mills
Sidney Mills
Sidney Mills was born in the UK in 1959 and moved to Jamaica as a child. He was raised in the Saint Thomas Parish and became a musician from an early age he moved to Kingston the late sixties....
featuring Shaza) and"Crime Or Music"http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crime-or-Music/dp/B0026DO45Q Featuring veteran SKA legend Stranger Cole
Stranger Cole
Stranger Cole, also known as StrangeJah Cole is a Jamaican singer whose long recording career dates from the early days of ska in 1962 through to the 2000s.-Biography:...
and Reggae drummer Sly Dunbar
Sly Dunbar
Lowell "Sly" Fillmore Dunbar is a drummer.-Biography:Dunbar, whose nickname was reportedly given for his passion for Sly & the Family Stone, launched his musical career while still in his adolescence, playing with a local group, The Yardbrooms, at the age of fifteen...
. Additional percussion on this track was provided by STICKY THOMPSON
Uziah Thompson
Uziah "Sticky" Thompson is a Jamaican percussionist, vocalist and deejay active since the late 1950s. He has worked with some of the best known performers of Jamaican music and played on hundreds of albums.-Biography:...
of The Wailers
Wailers Band
The Wailers Band are a reggae band formed by the remaining members of Bob Marley & The Wailers, following the death of Bob Marley in 1981.-Previous Wailers' incarnations:The Wailers started as Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh...
and Bongo Herman
Bongo Herman
Herman Davis , better known as Bongo Herman, is a Jamaican hand-drummer, percussionist and singer who has had a successful career stretching back to the early 1960s.-Biography:...
.
In 2010, Malik Al Nasir graduated with an MA in New Media Production from Liverpool Screen School (A faculty of Liverpool John Moores University); as his thesis piece he created a web based multimedia software program for genealogical family tree building, called Ancestory. The software allows for the building of interactive multimedia family trees, that can be shared over social networks and authored by the public. Ancestory is probably the first interactive multimedia family tree builder, with social network integration.
Malik also holds a BA Hon's. In Geography & Soiology from Liverpool Hope University
Liverpool Hope University
Liverpool Hope University is a university in Liverpool, England. Two of its three founding colleges were established in 1844 and 1856, the third opening in the 1960s. It is the only ecumenical university in Europe. Based on two campuses, the main campus is located in Childwall and the second...
and a PgDip in Applied Social Research from The University of Liverpool.
Upon news of the death of his mentor Gil Scott Heron In May 2011 Malik Al Nasir flew to New York to attend the funeral services http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jun/19/gil-scott-heron-saved-me and is planning a series of tribute events in Liverpool in honor of Gil Scott Heron for 2012.
Malik is a social commentator and has periodically participated in news items on issues relating to refugees, social exclusion, BBC News asylum seekers in the UK, social unrest Al Jazeera in Liverpool and racism Liverpool Echo
Radio Appearances
- "Outlook - BBC World ServiceBBC World ServiceThe BBC World Service is the world's largest international broadcaster, broadcasting in 27 languages to many parts of the world via analogue and digital shortwave, internet streaming and podcasting, satellite, FM and MW relays...
" - http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/p00hdpwv/ - 'The man whose life was transformed by legendary musician and poet Gil Scott-Heron" - "Radio WBAIWBAIWBAI, a part of the Pacifica Radio Network, is a non-commercial, listener-supported radio station, broadcasting at 99.5 FM in New York City.Its programming is leftist/progressive, and a mixture of political news and opinion from a leftist perspective, tinged with aspects of its complex and varied...
New York" - http://archive.wbai.org/files/mp3/wbai_110602_190035eatcrossr.mp3 - 'Radio interview Malik Al Nasir, Bilal Sunni Ali and Tommy Abney with Umar Ben Hassan of The Last Poets' - "Saturday Live BBC Radio 4BBC Radio 4BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
London" - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0128fkc - 'Radio interview Malik Al Nasir, Al JarreauAl JarreauAlwin "Al" Lopez Jarreau is a seven-time Grammy Award winning jazz singer.- Background :Jarreau was born in Milwaukee, the fifth of six children. His web site refers to Reservoir, Inc., the name of the street where he lived. His father was a Seventh-Day Adventist Church minister and singer, and...
and Brian Ball with Clare Balding- live from Centre court at Wimbledon' - "Roger Phillips Show BBC Radio MerseysideBBC Radio MerseysideBBC Radio Merseyside is the BBC Local Radio service for the English metropolitan county of Merseyside and north Cheshire. It was the third BBC local radio station to launch on 22 November 1967 initially serving the south west of historic Lancashire....
Liverpool" http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2004/12/02/ordinaryguy_feature.shtml Interview with Malik Al Nasir about his life and poetry under the influence of Gil Scott Heron & The Last PoetsThe Last PoetsThe Last Poets is a group of poets and musicians who arose from the late 1960s African American civil rights movement's black nationalist thread...
Filmography
- "Word Up - From Ghetto To Mecca" featuring Gil Scott Heron, The Last PoetsThe Last PoetsThe Last Poets is a group of poets and musicians who arose from the late 1960s African American civil rights movement's black nationalist thread...
and Benjamin ZephaniahBenjamin ZephaniahBenjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah is an English writer and dub poet. He is a well-known figure in contemporary English literature, and was included in The Times list of Britain's top 50 post-war writers in 2008....
. http://www.fore-word.com - "Africa" - "Malik & the OG's" featuring Rod Youngs, and Larry McDonald. - Music Video, produced by HQ Productions http://www.hqproductions.net/ directed by Mitchel Stuart for MCPR Music
- "BBC NewsBBC NewsBBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
- Toxteth Riots" Malik Al Nasir's http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2011/07/09/flashback-how-meeting-gil-scott-heron-in-riot-hit-toxteth-changed-my-life-100252-29020826/ social commentary on the Toxteth RiotsToxteth riotsThe Toxteth riots of July 1981 were a civil disturbance in Toxteth, inner-city Liverpool, which arose in part from long-standing tensions between the local police and the black community...
of 1981 and 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14460503
Discography
- Drumquestra by Larry McDonald 2009 for MCPR Music. Tracks "Crime or Music"was written by Malik Al Nasir for Larry McDonald with Squiddly Cole, performed by Ska veteran Stranger ColeStranger ColeStranger Cole, also known as StrangeJah Cole is a Jamaican singer whose long recording career dates from the early days of ska in 1962 through to the 2000s.-Biography:...
and Sly DunbarSly DunbarLowell "Sly" Fillmore Dunbar is a drummer.-Biography:Dunbar, whose nickname was reportedly given for his passion for Sly & the Family Stone, launched his musical career while still in his adolescence, playing with a local group, The Yardbrooms, at the age of fifteen...
. Also "Peace of Mind" http://www.last.fm/music/Larry+Mcdonald was written by Malik Al Nasir & Bobby Rodell Davis. Malik Al Nasir was also Executive Producer for the whole album, Ft. Sly DunbarSly DunbarLowell "Sly" Fillmore Dunbar is a drummer.-Biography:Dunbar, whose nickname was reportedly given for his passion for Sly & the Family Stone, launched his musical career while still in his adolescence, playing with a local group, The Yardbrooms, at the age of fifteen...
, Starnger Cole, Steel PulseSteel PulseSteel Pulse is a roots reggae musical band. They originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, in Birmingham, England, composed of David Hinds , Basil Gabbidon , and Ronald McQueen .-History:...
, The WailersWailers BandThe Wailers Band are a reggae band formed by the remaining members of Bob Marley & The Wailers, following the death of Bob Marley in 1981.-Previous Wailers' incarnations:The Wailers started as Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh...
, DollarmanDollarmanDollarman is a Caribbean singer, songwriter, producer and musician born in Grenada. Moving to Brooklyn, NY he continues to present hits with a Caribbean influence and reggae.-Career:...
, Bongo HermanBongo HermanHerman Davis , better known as Bongo Herman, is a Jamaican hand-drummer, percussionist and singer who has had a successful career stretching back to the early 1960s.-Biography:...
, MutabarukaMutabarukaMutabaruka is a dub poet. His name comes from the Rwandan language and translates as "one who is always victorious". He lives in Potosi District, St. James with his significant other, Yvonne, and their two childern. Mutabaruka continues to perform and write poems on every issue known to man...
, Toots & the MaytalsToots & the MaytalsToots and the Maytals, originally called simply The Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group and one of the best known ska and reggae vocal groups. According to Sandra Brennan at Allmusic, "The Maytals were key figures in reggae music...
, Bob AndyBob AndyBob Andy is a Jamaican reggae vocalist and songwriter. He is widely regarded as one of reggae's most influential songwriters.-Career:...
Marivaldo Dos Santos and JD Smoothe. - Rhythms of the Diaspora Vol 1. By Malik & the OG's Written and produced by Malik Al Nasir. Ft. Gil Scott Heron, LL Cool JLL Cool JJames Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
, Ms Marie and Bobby Rodell Davies. 2010 - Rhythms of the Diaspora Vol 2. By Malik & the OG's Written and produced by Malik Al Nasir. Co Produced by Swiss Chris, Ft. Larry McDonald, Stanley ClarkeStanley ClarkeStanley Clarke is an American jazz musician and composer known for his innovative and influential work on double bass and electric bass guitar as well as for his numerous film and television scores...
, The Last PoetsThe Last PoetsThe Last Poets is a group of poets and musicians who arose from the late 1960s African American civil rights movement's black nationalist thread...
and Bobby Rodell Davies. 2010
External links
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jun/19/gil-scott-heron-saved-me
- http://www.fore-word.com/OGmoreinfo.htm
- http://www.gedboy.com/watson.html
- http://www.hqproductions.net/
- http://www.myspace.com/larrymcdonald1
- http://www.reverbnation.com/larrymcdonald?popup_render=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.reverbnation.com%2Fcontroller%2Ffan_reach%2Fopt_in%2Fartist_334346%3Feid%3D1983114_18261988%26fid%3D18261988%26fsc%3Da7b597907de
- http://www.amazon.com/Drumquestra/dp/B0026EGAO8
- http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2001/11/14/teenage-victim-of-race-attack-100252-11424334/
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14460503
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0128fkc
- http://archive.wbai.org/files/mp3/wbai_110602_190035eatcrossr.mp3
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/p00hdpwv/
- http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2011/07/09/flashback-how-meeting-gil-scott-heron-in-riot-hit-toxteth-changed-my-life-100252-29020826/
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2004/12/02/ordinaryguy_feature.shtml
- http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/08/2011811122931660627.html
- http://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council-services/lc/events/major-events/black-history-season-2011/diary/
- http://ancestory.me.uk/about