Natural City Music, Inc. is an independent music label specializing in the development, creation, and consistent release of impactful and timeless music from some of the most incredible artists you’ve ever heard. Officially started in 2015, NCM has risen to widespread acclaim and recognition garnering the attention of major labels and artists, as well as from various organizations and awards.
NCM’s network includes not only artists, songwriters, and producers, but live musicians, recording studios, photographers & videographers, graphic designers, choreographers, makeup, hair, and wardrobe stylists, art direction, and more. Inspired by the South Korean sci-fi film Natural City, CEO & founder A-natural (née James Aaron Foster), nurtured the idea to create a label where the ideals of building, from the ground up, a collective of naturally talented artists and creatives in an ever-evolving musical future could be actualized.
To put action to the vision, A-natural began travelling up and down the East Coast, honing his skills as a songwriter, vocal producer, and artist developer, working with the likes of artists from SONY, Universal, and other projects commissioned by LA Reid, Ray Daniels, Shawn Stockman, and Polow Da Don. He also became the go-to vocal producer for actor/singer Tristan “Mack” Wilds, helping to helm Mack’s latest album After Hours, and can be heard on his latest single “Simple Things”.
A-natural continues to create and collaborate with countless major and indie artists across the world in various ways from songwriting, vocal production, vocal editing, and more. The “Natural City” sound has begun to take shape and gain a reputation for its intricate harmonies, futuristic production, and reliance on bringing old school artist development techniques into the future of music. He has also partnered with his longtime friend and collaborator, Lenny Harold and his company Drink Up the Music, Inc. to tackle the creative needs of artists from photoshoots, video shoots, wardrobe styling, social media campaigning, web design, and artist readiness in the areas of PR, interviewing, social media engagement, content creation, and more.
Some of A-natural’s major accomplishments as an artist himself include the placement of two songs on MTV network series, production of the climactic musical number from indie gospel film Pastor White, songs featured in the Issa Rae backed YouTube short film Life Event, and two wins at the 2019 Independent Music Awards. He is also a winner of the ASCAP Foundation’s Harold Adamson Songwriting Award, and a current voting member of the Recording Academy where is currently a mentor for the GrammyU program. He’s released three full-length R&B albums, several EPs and singles, and even a Christmas album. He’s opened for the likes of Fantasia, Brandy, Kim Burrell, and T-Pain, and sung background for several artists including B. Slade (previously known as Tonéx).
Poised to make an indelible mark on the music world, Natural City Music features a stable of extremely talented and consistent artists which includes R&B chanteuse Lauren Ashley, gospel powerhouse Seychelle Elise, and former touring member of the legendary R&B group Blackstreet, the 3-time Showtime at the Apollo winner, Lenny Harold. NCM has also released and contributed to projects by Newark, NJ native and hometown star Steve Lovell, as well as Dallas, Texas-based pop/R&B singer Andrew Kent.
The future of Natural City Music is one to watch as the company at large continues to build on the solid foundation of quality music, determined and focused artistry, and the consistent love and respect of music lovers worldwide. Part of NCM’s agenda is to do music business differently, where the needs of the artist are equal to the endeavors of the company. Believing that the laws that created today’s music industry stem from a place where there was a serious lack of inclusion and diversity, Natural City Music has thrived off being artist-centered first. With the support of fans, media, and the music community, this is a dream that can surely be realized.