All you need is a message and sick wordplay, baby.
Adub Nati, born Alrick L.J. Warner, has built a foundation in hip-hop rooted in conscious positivity and perseverance. The Houston-born, Cincinnati-raised rapper is the son of two West Indian immigrants from St. Kitts and Nevis, a cultural duality manifested in his releases through his open-minded approach and storytelling. Having made strong positive impressions since his debut mixtape “No Plan B” in 2015, the talented artist continues to inspire with his meaningful releases.
Growing up in various Cincinnati neighborhoods, Adub Nati found solace and inspiration in the rap of artists whose narratives mirrored his own. Their authenticity and conscious lyrical approach ignited his own slumbering passion for storytelling, eventually becoming a catalyst for his own journey into music. As a college graduate, Adub Nati embodies a rare duality in hip-hop—grounded in street realities yet armed with an academic perspective.
Beginning with the intense, nonstop rhymes on “Blessing from God’s Testing,” Nati’s album “More Fiyah” feels like a direct, purposeful, and focused effort. “More Fiyah” as a project thrives off of Nati’s astounding wordplay and meaningful message, but that’s not to say the album doesn’t have its wilder moments as well.
Nati skillfully balances making a cohesive product by giving us enough variety to keep us entertained for the whole length of the project. In one moment, rowdier tracks like the rousing “Boot Up” keep the energy levels high before Nati's laser-like introspection on tracks like the follow-up “Celebration” hone that energy to laser-like focus. Coming in at roughly twenty minutes in length, “More Fiyah” is just long enough to submerse you in the creative world Nati has designed but also short enough that it really maximizes Nati’s conscious message as well.
Building on the work of his first mixtape, “No Plan B,” it’s no surprise that “Blessing from God’s Testing” forgoes empty braggadocio for a message underlined by faith and positivity. Nati has steadily looked to inspire change in his own way, and with “More Fiyah,” he continues to do so through impressive music.
Adub Nati’s latest album, “More Fiyah,” re-affirms the talented MC’s “All in” approach to his craft, eschewing shallow comforts for meaningful introspection by virtue of Nati’s impressive wordflow and lyricism.
Welcome to Buzz, Adub Nati! Your new album "More Fiyah" balances energetic tracks like “Boot Up” with introspective moments like “Celebration.” How do you decide when to turn up the energy versus when to focus on deeper reflection in your music?
I just have a natural feel honestly. I think of the feeling or vibe I want to be portrayed and plan accordingly.
As someone with roots in both Houston and Cincinnati, how have these two cities—and your West Indian heritage—shaped the themes and sounds of More Fiyah?
More so Cincinnati and my West Indian heritage, I would say, as opposed to my time in Houston as I moved to Cincinnati before I was two years old. But Cincinnati gave me an urban edge per se, and my West Indian heritage gave me knowledge and insight into my culture and my faith and how they relate to each other.
You’ve mentioned finding inspiration in artists whose narratives mirrored your own. Can you share who some of these artists are and how their music influenced the direction of More Fiyah?
Nas was a big one, probably the only one I can remember today. But beyond his message, I liked his flow and delivery and consider him, as well as others like him, to be a premiere hip-hop artist.
At just 20 minutes long, More Fiyah makes a big impact in a short time. Was it a conscious choice to keep the album concise, and how did you approach crafting such a focused and purposeful project?
Yeah, it was the beginning of my musical relationship with the artist/producer Planet MEalz, and I wanted to make a good impression on her as well as the fans without seeming too overbearing. But basically, as she sent me beats, I just went into my rhyme book and brainstormed on what would best match.
What’s next for Adub Nati, and is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?
What's next for me is, Lord willing, more EP and possibly an album or two. Thanks so much to the fans who've been rocking with me, supporting and vibing to my music and my music videos. Keep God first, and God bless, in Jesus' name.