BIOGRAPHY OF NATHANIEL BASSEY

Biography of Nathaniel Bassey

Nathaniel Bassey was born on August 28th, 1978 in Lagos, Nigeria. His father, Mr E Joshua Bassey, was a minister in The Apostolic Church Bashua Assembly from Ikot Ofon Ikono, Uyo local government area in Akwa Ibom state. He is a Nigerian gospel musician.

Summary of Nathaniel Bassey’s Biography

Full name: Nathaniel Bassey
Date of Birth: August 28th, 1978
Age: 44 years old
Place of Birth: Lagos Nigeria
Nationality: Nigerian
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Singer, Pastor, Trumpeter and Gospel Songwriter

Early Life

Growing up in a Christian home, Bassey developed a love for both music and the gospel at a very young age. He was inspired after watching Dr Panam Percy Paul, a prominent Nigerian gospel music icon in a live concert over two decades ago. Since then, his passion for music has grown and translated into various musical experiences.

He earned a degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of London, UK. He also studied popular music and music business at the Middlesex University Summer School in UK.

Career

Popularly known as Nat, began with a rather uncommon interest for jazz music. After developing interest, he bagan listening, imitating and playing to the music of famous jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong, Miles Davies, Clifford Brown, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz and Kirk Whalum, Phil Driscoll, and Hugh Masakela. His zeal for the Jazz form would later stir him to seek out bands and groups along the Jazz lines. He then joined a top jazz quartet in Lagos, Spectrum 4, where he played alongside his childhood friends.

During that time, Bassey was approached by one of the most respectable figures in the Nigerian jazz and music circle, Elder Steve Rhodes to lead, arguably, the first Jazz Orchestra in the country – The Steve Rhodes Orchestra. He served as band leader and lead trumpet player for a period of two years and later moved on with his music career. His peculiar and particularly soulful trumpet playing style caught the ears of top Artistes and composers within and outside the country. Teemac, Ayo Bankole Jr, Cobhams Asuquo, Wole Oni, Yinka Davies, Adlan Cruise, Funsho Ogundipe, Peter King, Sotiris Papadopoulus, Paul Petersen, The French Cultural centre, American International School, are but a few individuals and organizations that have sought his musical ingenuity.

Subsequently, Nathaniel began sensing a deep yearning within. There was more to his music than he thought. He later took time off his numerous mainstream commitments to seek the Lord under the Mentorship and guidance of Late Pastor Eskor Mfon, the former Pastor of The Redeemed Christian Church Of God, City Of David Parish. This decision attracted fierce criticisms from friends, Artistes and colleagues who thought it unthinkable abandoning what was becoming a thriving mainstream music career to serve exclusively at a local church.

As he developed an intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit, He then realized that music was more than an item to fill a space in time but was a fundamental tool in the praise and worship of the Lord. Soon after, a music ministry was born and for Nathaniel, the main thrust was Worship – Music of heaven – one that ministered exclusively to the Lord and an avenue through which He related with His people. His trumpet playing coupled with a calm singing style has since ushered many in concerts, crusades and churches into the presence of the Lord.

Nathaniel’s debut album Elohim was recorded and mixed in Cape Town, South Africa in the year 2008. It has been described as a spiritual and Artistic masterpiece with the hit track, Someone’s knocking at the door, a soft-rock tune currently generating so much interest locally and internationally. He has since released numerous popularly gospel tracks such as I Believe in You, The Son of God, Alagbada Ina, This God is Too Good, Casting Crowns, Imela and lots more. His latest album, Revival Flames, was released in 2017.

In June 2017, Bassey held a 30-day midnight prayer and praise session called Hallelujah Challenge. The online live gospel movement on Facebook and Instagram allowed viewers to connect from 12 am to 1 am daily throughout the month. Thousands of people followed the online programme. As at Friday 16th June, CNN reported that about 68,000 people joined the Instagram live stream, while over 50,000 joined the Facebook live stream. Statistics from Evolve Press revealed 10,000 posts with the hashtag ‘#HallelujahChallenge’ and over 18,000 with the hashtag ‘#Olowogbogboro’ making it the number one trend in Nigeria. The second edition was held in June 2018, this time for only two weeks.

Education

Nathaniel Bassey got admitted into the University of Lagos to study Urban and Regional planning, after 2 years of study at UNILAG, he proceeded his undergraduate course abroad at University of London, studying Politics and International Relations.

He also studied music courses (popular music and music business) at the Middlesex University Summer school.

Best Playlist Worship Songs Of Nathaniel Bassey – Most Popular Songs Of All Time by Nathaniel Bassey

Personal Life

Nathaniel is married to Sarah Ebuk and together they have two children – a boy and a girl. He is a football fan and supports FC Barcelona of Spain. The jovial artist is the director of music at the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

Awards

City People Music Award for Gospel Artiste of the Year – 2017
Best Gospel Artist at the Africa Muzik Magazine Awards & Music Festival Awards (AFRIMMA) – 2017
Jesus the Resurrection and Life was nominated for Album of Excellence at the African Gospel Music Awards (AGMMA) – 2019
Artist of the Year nominee by the Crystal Gospel Awards – 2019