Free Nationals are an American R&B band formed in Los Angeles, California. The group consists of José Ríos (lead guitar, backing vocals), Ron "T.Nava" Avant (keyboard, rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Kelsey Gonzales (bass guitar, bass synth) and Callum Connor (drums, percussion, backing vocals).[1][2] They frequently accompany Anderson .Paak as his backing band.[3]
Free Nationals | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Free Nationals with Maurice Brown at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. From left to right: Maurice Brown, Kelsey Gonzales, Callum Connor, Ron "T.Nava" Avant, José Ríos. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels |
|
| Members |
|
| Website | freenationals |
History
editGuitarist José Ríos and keyboardist Ron Avant met Anderson .Paak while studying at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California in the late 2000s.[4][5] Bassist Kelsey Gonzalez and drummer Callum Connor joined them soon after and they formed the Free Nationals. The band went on to produce for Anderson and frequently tour with him. The idea for their name came from their mentor Shafiq Huisayn. Free Nationals is a term which means the first settlers of America before Columbus came, the people indigenous to the land. They took their own interpretation of this, being 'indigenous to the music' by paying homage to the influential musicians before them.[6]
Their performance with Paak at his NPR Tiny Desk Concert in August 2016 is possibly their most significant appearance to date.[7] The YouTube video has amassed over 104 million views so far, making it the 3rd most popular video in the Tiny Desk series.[8]
The band released their debut single "Beauty & Essex" featuring Daniel Caesar and Unknown Mortal Orchestra on October 9, 2018.[9] Their second single "Time" featuring Mac Miller and Kali Uchis, released on June 12, 2019, was the first official posthumous song from Miller since his death in September 2018.[10][11] On December 13, 2019, they released their self-titled debut album through OBE and Empire Distribution.[12] It was nominated for Best Progressive R&B album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.
Musical style and influence
editTheir music has been described as having a "future retro, funky and soulful sound".[13][14][15] The band state that they 'stay indigenous to the funk' by paying tribute to their inspirations who include legendary musicians Stevie Wonder, B.B. King, Herbie Hancock and Al Green.[16]
Members
editDiscography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Nationals |
|
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ Hot [21] | |||
| "Beauty & Essex" (featuring Daniel Caesar and Unknown Mortal Orchestra)[22] |
2018 | — | Free Nationals |
| "Time" (with Mac Miller and Kali Uchis)[23] |
2019 | 22 | |
| "On Sight" (featuring JID, Kadhja Bonet and Miknna)[24] |
— | ||
| "Eternal Light" (featuring Chronixx)[25] |
— | ||
| "Shibuya" (featuring Syd)[26] |
— | ||
| "Gangsta" (featuring A$AP Rocky and Anderson .Paak) |
2024 | 12 | Non-album single |
Guest appearances
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "ALLSTAR"[27]
(Rae Khalil featuring Free Nationals) |
2020 | FORTHEWORLD |
| "Photo ID (Free Nationals Remix)"[28]
(Remi Wolf featuring Free Nationals) |
We Love Dogs! | |
| "Buddy"[29]
(T.Nava featuring Rae Khalil, Free Nationals, Black Nile & Chris Dave and The Drumhedz) |
2021 | Non-album single |
| "Pretty Lady (Free Nationals Remix)"[30]
(Tash Sultana featuring Free Nationals) |
Non-album single | |
| "Strawberry Blush"[31]
(John Legend featuring Free Nationals) |
2022 | LEGEND |
Awards and nominations
editGrammy Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Free Nationals | Best Progressive R&B Album | Nominated | [32] |
References
edit- ^ "Free Nationals – 'Free Nationals' album review". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. December 13, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ "Free Nationals". Genius. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- ^ "Free Nationals: Free Nationals review – a smooth ride with Anderson .Paak's band". The Guardian. December 15, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ Crameri, Nick (December 11, 2019). "Free Nationals - Free Nationals — Sungenre Review". Sungenre. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "No longer "wearing all black, standing in the back": Free Nationals step out". PILERATS. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ "Anderson's Pack: Meet the Free Nationals". Complex. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- ^ "Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals: Tiny Desk Concert". NPR.org. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
- ^ "The Free Nationals Are Joined By Anderson .Paak And Others For Their Tiny Desk Set". UPROXX. April 20, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
- ^ Prevost, Dinorah (October 14, 2018). "Intro: The Free Nationals bring you Beauty & Essex, England". Medium. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ Free Nationals: Time - Music Streaming - Listen on Deezer, retrieved October 24, 2020
- ^ "Free Nationals Announce 'Time' Featuring Mac Miller". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ "Free Nationals Drop Self-Titled Studio Album". Complex. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ Kellman, Andy (n.d.). "Free Nationals: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- ^ Fletcher, Harry (December 13, 2019). "Free Nationals - Free Nationals review: Sublime quartet are brimming with boundless potential". Evening Standard. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- ^ Free Nationals – Juno Records, retrieved November 29, 2020
- ^ "Free Nationals". Spotify. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- ^ "Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals Ride The Wave". A Nation of Billions. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ "Ron Avant". Musicians Institute Hollywood. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ "Kelsey Gonzales and Jose Rios of Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals – Orange Amps". orangeamps.com. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- ^ "Drummerszone - Callum Connor". Drummerszone.com. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". The Official NZ Music Chart. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- "Gangsta": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ Beauty & Essex (feat. Daniel Caesar & Unknown Mortal Orchestra), retrieved October 23, 2020
- ^ Time, retrieved October 23, 2020
- ^ On Sight, retrieved October 23, 2020
- ^ Eternal Light, retrieved October 23, 2020
- ^ Shibuya, retrieved October 23, 2020
- ^ ALLSTAR, retrieved December 21, 2020
- ^ Photo ID (Free Nationals Remix), retrieved December 21, 2020
- ^ Buddy (feat. Rae Khalil, Free Nationals, Black Nile & Chris Dave and The Drumhedz), retrieved July 10, 2021
- ^ Pretty Lady (Free Nationals Remix), November 5, 2021, retrieved December 2, 2021
- ^ Strawberry Blush (feat. Free Nationals), September 9, 2022, retrieved November 5, 2022
- ^ "2021 GRAMMYs: Complete Nominees List". GRAMMY.com. November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.