“Why do you care if people like it or not-it's not their life?”
Nate Ethan Watson, who was born and bred in Wolverhampton, began writing rap songs when he was eight. He transitioned six years ago and is known as the first transgender rapper. He formed TNB Connect, a group for Transgender and Non-binary people, to support their mental health and wellbeing as well as providing a safe space. He won a National Diversity Award Winner for being a Positive Role Model in 2022 and
How did you get into rap, and was it something you always wanted to do?
“I had a lot of influence around me. I had family members who were rapping, so little me used to sit with my uncles and my dad and try and rap. And by the time I was eight, I was writing my own raps, and from there that was all I wanted to do”
How have you found the music industry to be as a transgender person?
“I transitioned late in life as I was doing music. I was on tour, working with labels and all that stuff, but there was no one around me who was trans and no openly LGBTQ+ artists. In the scenes that I was in, you couldn’t talk about it, be it or attempt to let a bit of yourself slide out. I was the first Transgender rapper, there was no one else. However, since I’ve transitioned, it’s different as time’s moved on With Lil Nas X, it’s good for people to see representations of a black, gay man - it’s breaking so many boundaries and it’s nice to see how the young ones are able o be themselves from the start - it’s nice as I could never do that”.
Has being a healthcare worker in mental health been an inspiration for your music?
“All my music is about mental health, empowering people and confidence building.”
How did it feel to be awarded the National Diversity Positive Role Model Award?
“Very surreal. It came up in my emails I’d been nominated for a National Diversity Award, I thought it was nice, but forgot about it, thinking it’s just one of those things - you’ll never win it. Next thing, I was shortlisted to the final eight, so I went to Liverpool for the event suited and booted. I spoke to Katie Price and Harvey, Kelly Holmes, who’ve donated to TNB (Trans and Non-binary) Connect, so we can do Christmas hampers for Trans and Non-binary people.”
Can you talk about TNB Connect and the work it does?
“When I left university, I’d done Public Health, I noticed a gap in the area of Public Healthcare, that when people were transitioning no one was really thinking and noticed about how their body would change and if they have clothes. Like, I did put on a bit of size, so clothes fitted me differently. So, I set up a 6-month project
and collected clothes. FILA donated lots of clothes that I could give to any trans and non-binary person who came to TNB and asked for help with clothes. My friend Nathalie Emmanuel, who played Missandei in Games of Thrones, offered to do a private yoga session in TNB. TNB, which started as a 6-month project, now had become a community interest company because of all the attention and stuff we were getting. We are now running a project for 36 weeks called Serenity Session every Wednesday 4:30 to 7:30 in Wolverhampton, where you can come and chill, have a coffee, and do holistic activities. It’s open for all with those under 18 to come with a guardian. With TNB I go all out, every connection. I forgot about my music, but TNB is starting people off and building their confidence - I get more satisfaction from that.”
What song means the most to you?
“Probably ‘Like it or not’, because it was the first song I did after I transitioned. I remember writing it, and was nervous as not a lot of people knew about my transitioning, and I gave myself affirmations and thought ‘why do you care if people like it or not - it’s not their life’.”
Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to get into rap?
“Do it. Just write with no restrictions and don’t listen to anyone else, just write what’s in your head. I want to hear your experiences and what you’ve come through in your life. The world needs more rappers who tell stories and keep it authentic.”
Photo taken by Isabel Cooper.