He Walked Away from the Charts. What He Built Next Became MOKHORO.

# Natty: Finding Home Through Sound, Heritage and Ubuntu

For British soul-reggae artist Natty, belonging isn't defined by geography. Born into a family with Basotho heritage, raised in London and now living off-grid in rural Jamaica, his life has been shaped by cultures that each carry their own rhythms, histories and ways of understanding community.

"It has brought me to the conclusion that belonging is a construct of the mind," he says. "There is beauty everywhere. It's all about perspective and your attitude."

That philosophy formed the foundation of **MOKHORO – The Ascension Experience**, an immersive exhibition that invited audiences to experience music as something to feel rather than simply hear. At its heart stood a life-sized traditional Basotho mokhoro, transformed into a communal space where sound, meditation, visual art and storytelling explored the philosophy of **Ubuntu**—"I am because we are." Rather than presenting culture as something to observe, MOKHORO encouraged visitors to slow down, reconnect and reflect on the relationships between heritage, community and collective wellbeing.

The exhibition also reflected Natty's own evolution as an artist. Best known for his breakthrough album *Man Like I*, which reached the UK Top 20 and launched an international career, he has gradually expanded beyond songwriting into creating immersive experiences.

"I would say it's an expansion of the mind and a version of artistic curiosity," he explains. "I still love writing songs and making albums."

That creative expansion mirrors the path his life has taken. After years of building a successful career in London, Natty chose to relocate with his family to rural Jamaica, where they live off-grid. While the move offered creative freedom, it also came with unexpected challenges.

"Life is tougher," he admits. "But once I started the creative process, it was very inspiring. Freedom is everywhere. That's making me a better person, though."

His Basotho roots remain central to that journey. Although his mother left Lesotho, he says the country never left her. Through her, and through spending much of his childhood in Lesotho, he developed a deep connection to its culture and people.

"My mother may have left the country, but the country never left her. I was raised in the culture... it instilled the culture and spirit of the people in me."

That perspective gave MOKHORO its authenticity. Rather than using Basotho culture as symbolism or aesthetic inspiration, Natty presented it as a living influence that continues to shape his identity.

Ubuntu also guides the way he approaches an industry often driven by competition and self-promotion.

"I don't have any ambitions to be a part of the music industry," he says. "I simply want to make good music, bring people together and provide for my family."

Even in a digital age, where much of his audience encounters his work through streaming platforms and social media, Natty remains conscious of the tension between technology and genuine human connection. It's a balance, he admits, that he still wrestles with.

Whether through music, immersive art or community gathering, Natty's work continues to ask the same question: how do we move forward without losing the people, cultures and ancestral knowledge that made us who we are? For him, the answer lies in humility, gratitude and Ubuntu—the understanding that our lives are ultimately shaped through one another.

MOKHORO – The Ascension Experience is open until 2 August at Kunstraum, London, offering visitors the opportunity to experience Natty's immersive exploration of sound, heritage and Ubuntu. Tickets are available at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mokhoro-the-ascension-experience-tickets-1992719336177?aff=oddtdtcreator