SESSIONS: Ultra Naté

American singer/songwriter/DJ/Producer and music legend Ultra Naté brings her unique mix of dance, pop and electronic music to her DJ gigs and performances around the world. I caught up with her here in Miami at Soho Beach House to kick off the first in a series of Deep Sugar Sound Sessions.

Best known for her award winning and chart topping hits like "Free," Twisted," and "Deeper Love." UltraNaté's career is one steeped in timeless classics and impressive accolades and is bringing the party back to you.

So, something we're all dying to know. Tell us the origin of your name Ultra Naté. How did it come about?

Crazy enough, Ultra is my birth name. It’s solely my mother’s credit as a hip and rebellious young girl back in the day. She liked the ring of it, not realizing the impact of such a unique name for her daughter. I think she just went on a tangent of trying out a few different things before her delivery date and was heavily influenced on a deeper level by the civil rights movement, and the aesthetics of what it was to be young, cool and proud of your blackness in the late 60’s and early 70’s.

What is your favorite city to perform in?

I don’t know if I can nail that down to one favorite city specifically. I love seeing the world and being apart of its story as a global citizen. It’s really about the particular experience and the people resonating with you. That can happen anywhere in the world.

Do you still get nervous before you perform or play a set?

I think all performers have a certain level of awareness and anxiety before they perform, you always want to show yourself in the best way possible but there are so many dynamics that can help or hinder that outcome. That’s where the anxiety comes from but as with anything, the more you do it, the easier it gets and the more you realize that no matter what happens, this moment will not end you.

You seem to love playing with fashion. What fashion designer are you absolutely living for right now?

I do love fashion, it’s a further extension of art and creativity. It’s a voice, a story and a statement, it can directly effect how you feel about yourself and influence how others feel about you. It’s very powerful but I’m also very chill about it because what is “most” important is the soul of the person wearing the clothes. I have a wide range of tastes when it comes to fashion. I am very Pisces in that way..not married to one concept. It’s about a look, a moment and making mistakes as you explore. I love classic designers like Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, they cut clothing in such an amazing way. It’s edgy and flattering for my curvy figure. I love the glitz and ultimate glamour of Balmain, Versace and Dolce and Gabbana. I like fun street art fashion designers carving their own paths like Dope Tavio, AdrianDana, and Studmuffin or the immaculate tailoring of Ozwald Boentig. The list is endless really.

Single, Looking for love, or miss me with that love stuff! (feel free to elaborate)

I’m happily in a relationship with a guy I’ve dated off and on for a few years. I think it’s good for me because my life is so crazy and fast, I love having that anchor to keep me grounded. And at the end of the day, love is love, that’s what we’re here for…to love and be loved. Most people spend all of their time either looking for it or running away from it. I try to do neither of the two and have enough courage let it happen when, if and how it wants.

How did you first discover you had a talent for singing?

Probably by the time I was well into writing and recording my first album! I was way late to the party because I stumbled into the music business very unaware of myself as an artist and songwriter. The career path I chose was in the medical field by the time I was graduating high school, but I discovered club culture also. I was dividing my time between University studies freshman year and being at the disco all weekend! In the club scene I meant The Basement Boys and began recording with them casually. The first demo we wrote ended up being signed to Warner Brothers Records in the UK and suddenly I was making an album on a major label. I had no experience writing songs or singing them, I was experimenting and learning on the fly while creating art. In hindsight, I realize my destiny was set in that moment, you never have told me back then, I would go on to make multiple albums for the next three decades.

Tell us about your MOST memorable moment in your career as a musician.

Fortunately I am still making some pretty amazing moments like performing at The London O2 Arena over the holidays recently for 20,000 people, with a 65 piece orchestra! One of my early career memories was in 1989, releasing my first single on a major label and I had been flown over to London. I woke up in a beautiful hotel in Portobello with the sun pouring into my hotel room. I realized Dorothy was no longer in Kansas and the underground Club Culture I had grown up in, was no longer underground. And I was part of that story. I understood the gravity of that moment.

Your songs are a staple in the world of dance and house music, but there is so much soul behind it. Who or what inspires your style of music.

I’m inspired by all kinds of music, rooted in black music especially. Soul, R&B, blues, gospel, rock and pop are all intersectional under the dance music umbrella in my mind and so there’s a certain level of freedom and creative space that I allow myself. I don’t feel confined by rules and labels so specifically. I believe a great melody and/or lyric lends itself to many different moods and movements. That’s the spirit I write from which ultimately ends up as a diverse body of work.

You have a huge LGBTQ+ following, why do you think you resonate with the rainbow community?

I believe the rainbow community appreciates authenticity in artists, and connect more readily with raw human emotion. They identify with the strength and resilience needed to live as equals in our society as a fellow marginalized community. I would also say they know who loves them, who has supported them and who has shown up for them long before it was popular

One place you would love to perform that you have not yet.

Coachella and Madison Square Garden would be pretty epic.

A fashion accessory or cosmetic item you CAN NOT live out.

Point Black liquid eyeliner by MAC. Whether you are in a full beat or bare faced, it always looks fabulous! It became even more important for me during the pandemic when there was no point wearing lipstick hidden by a mask. Your eyes were the only feature people could see. It really helped keep my spirits up to at least have a gorgeously lined eye.

What has been your secret to longevity in the music industry?

A great team supporting you. The music business goes well beyond just making music. Without a good team, no matter how talented you may be, you're going to have a difficult time and you may not be able to sustain that energy for long.

Do you think it's easier or harder to break into the music industry now? Why?

I think it is the same as it ever was, more difficult in some ways and easier in others. What has changed is the way music is created and how business is done, but whether it is thirty years ago, ten years ago or starting now, each represent its own set of unique challenges. For example, there are technological advances that allow would be artists to create their own network of fans and connect with them, while also releasing music directly. At the same time, the ability to do so has increased the amount of music in the marketplace significantly, which makes it harder to be seen, heard and impactful in a big way.

Sexiest part of your body?

I would usually leave that to the observer, but I’ve heard the most remarks about my boobs. You can’t really miss them so there’s that! However, I find a tiny waist to be a lovely feminine attribute.

Part you find sexiest on a man's body.

It’s hard for me to choose between well defined shoulders/arms or chest but I’m going to lean towards chest! It’s the ultimate sexy on a man but I need a proportioned body overall.

You display such versatility with your looks. What inspires your looks? Does it contribute to your mood and how you play?

Ideas and concepts pop up all the time. I always observe elements in fashion or music that may inspire a look. I don’t really have any rules, I mainly work with the tools I have at my disposal or utilize any of the myriad of talented people around me that may have ideas or pieces to add. There are certain looks I wear when I sing that I could never be comfortable enough to also spin in, so I do take the specifics of each show into account when deciding what to wear. But whatever I show up in, I’m always going to give my best energy to the event, and of course if you feel you look amazing, it’s going to elevate your game.

What is one lesson the pandemic has taught you?

It taught me to be more fully present in the moment and to protect my peace at all cost.

Wine, Liquor or Beer?1 response

Wine for sure.

Describe your perfect date night. Be specific!

Date night always starts with food for me! Dinner at a great restaurant with a man I adore is lovely. After dinner, I’d like to go dancing and enjoy a few cocktails. A great meal, lots of laughs, intimate touching, great conversation, sharing music, ideas and energy all make me happy.

What is one bad habit you need to stop?

Taking on too many things, projects or responsibilities. I’m very Type A and impulsive, so I’ll jump to make something happen but it can easily bog you down when it’s too much.

If you were stranded on a dessert island what 3 items could you not live without?

A satellite radio, a super hydrating, all natural lip balm by BITE cosmetics and an huge beach hat

Guilty pleasure.

Bread pudding from Magnolia Bakery New York

Have you ever felt "out of place" as a woman of color playing dance music/club music? Tell us why.

Never! This genre was born out of the underground community in Black and Latino gay culture in America. It doesn’t matter how it has evolved, its roots will always be grounded in the scene I not only grew up in, but contributed to.

I've personally been to events that you have played and you really take the audience on a journey. When you're in the middle of a DJ set, how do you know what song you're going to play?

There are certain songs I know I want to play in the course of my set depending on the event. When they happen and how you get to them is what makes the journey interesting. And then there are the tracks I play just in the moment because I am vibing off the crowd and the energy of the room, or I am suddenly inspired by something I hear in one track that may feel good with another. It is a mixture of both. I never plan my sets specifically, I never have an order of songs mapped out. I don’t find that interesting at all. I usually just shoot from the hip, I play a little wild because there are so many places to go musically in this genre. I think technology has made programming music so easy that sometimes the DJs lose their thirst for taking risks in the moment. I feel I am a little rebellious in that I will take the risk of creating something in the moment that could be really tricky or a moment of greatness…just living on the edge! I find that I am the same way with my songwriting so I guess it is just my creative style. The DJ culture I grew up listening to always subscribed to the thought of “just play good music”, after that everything else makes sense.

Did you know that FREE was going become the iconic hit when you were producing it ?

We didn’t have a clue! We had no idea at all if anyone would even like it! And that is pretty exemplary of the rebellious creative style and risk-taking I mentioned. It was a huge risk to go against the norm of what music was working in the charts at that time and carve a very different lane with this track. A track that was to be my first official release after having been on a major label for two albums previously. It was a serious crossroads moment, so we felt we had nothing to lose. We threw the entire kitchen sink of ideas at it without any fear or consideration of it might be received. The goal was to create an epic piece and then let the chips fall where they may. We could only control what we could control in that moment and the rest was up to the universe.

Tell us the truth. Are you over "FREE" or do you still love it as much as we do?

I still love it 1000%! There is nothing like feeling that connection with people around the world. I’m seeing in real time, how much something we created from nothing but ideas, grew to become such a significant and impactful song for the generations now and into the future.

A music artist you would love to collaborate with.

The Weeknd, Sia, Lil Nas X, Mickey Guyton..the list goes on.

You recently dropped a new remix of SUPERNATURAL, what inspired this collaboration?

“Supernatural” happened because my very good friend and longtime collaborator Kwame Kwaten (from the band D’influence out of London), had gone into talent management many years ago (and quite successfully) - called me up out the blue with a track from some new up-and-coming producers/artist out of Point Blank Music school and label, where he was now doing A&R. He said he had some great new guys that were doing some really cool vibes like my early styles of house, very jazzy and funky, but obviously for today’s dance floor. He sent me the track and I loved the groove, the bouncing flute, saxophone and that very early 90’s soul/club energy. I wrote the song in about three hours and recorded it, then sent it back to them. They loved it! A few months went by and I had long forgotten about it, there was no expectation when I wrote to it, next thing I know, Kwame came back with a deal on the record with Skint/BMG UK - a major. It’s interesting how this industry works sometimes, when it really works.

You laid new vocals on this track. How did it feel to be back in the recording studio?

I've never left..I have me in home set up and have been writing and recording in my space for years now. It's always a feeling of pride and accomplishment to get my ideas down and see a song come to life, from basic ideas to published works. It's incredible..

Is the SUPERNATURAL Remix a single release, or is it part of a new album coming out? If so, when?

It has been a single release since first hitting the airwaves last summer but ultimately part of the new album coming this summer! Very excited about this 10th record...it's a significant chapter and milestone in my life for me.

How do you balance your love for DJ'ing and singing?

I don't really feel like I need to create balance..I easily transition between the two. For me they are both like breathing air..just natural.

You are constantly touring and traveling. Where in the world are you headed next?

In the last month I've been to the UK twice, Italy and Miami twice! It's been wonderful! I'm in Cincinnati for their Pride coming up then back to the UK, Croatia and Italy again.

As a women of color in a male dominated industry, what would you tell other girls trying to break into this industry?

Trust your art, step into your ownership of your craft, always present impeccable work, read the fine print, find a good entertainment account and attorney that will work with you will your on the come up, understand that if something becomes a hit...everything you signed matters so look up terminology you don't understand and know how it impacts you. Never be afraid to walk away from a bad deal and use all the free resources and platforms out there to generate your own following. Do not wait for someone else to facilitate your dreams...

What is RED HOT MODE project that you are a part of and how can we support?

The RED HOT organization has been a champion for creating awareness and initiatives to fight AIDS and support the LGBTQ community. I have supported the organization for many years through their live events and music compilation releases. They are and inspiring organization I am proud to be a part of. To learn more, everyone can check them out at www.redhot.org

Tell us about any new projects that our LATINX Audience should look out for.

The big focus is on completing the next album, titled "ULTRA". I wrote three albums worth of new material over pandemic lockdown and now we are selecting the titles we want to release on the "ULTRA" album. I'm very excited and super proud of how it's come together!

What is one thing piece of advice you would give to make the world a better place?

The most basic of principles, treat others as you want to be treated. We all want to be treated with love and respect. If everyone practiced that simple idea, it would resolve a huge amount of conflict.

Best place to find all of your music and projects.

You can find me with the usual suspects: Website: www.ultranate.com

Instagram & Twitter @ultranatemusic

FB, Spotify and Youtube - Ultra Nate'