- Bryon Harris
Natalie Jean - 'I Am'
Review By Patrick Joseph & Staff
The W.A M. Awards celebrate the year’s most outstanding independent artists from around the world in multiple genres and categories. "Best Song" and "Best Album" nominations were based on Artistry, Musicianship, Originality, Professionalism, Diversity, and Excellence. W.A.M. stands for "We Are he Music Makers.' Natalie Jeans' song, "I Am" was the 2020 W.A.M. Award Winner for Best Social Justice song.
“I am” is one of those powerful, statement songs that gives you chills. Singer/songwriter work at its finest, Natalie Jean creates all of the structures that draw in listeners and open their ears. A delicate yet strong acoustic guitar pattern carries the song from start to finish. This creates a pensive, enthralling energy over which Jean tells her story. Musically, the song has one large dynamic arch, which works perfectly with the lyrics and allows for suspense to continually evolve.
Straightforward, honest and raw lyrical content give this song its special magic. “Look at me, really look at me, you don’t know me, and you judged me.” Jean lets us into her perspective, while simultaneously encouraging listeners to examine theirs. Messages of strength resonate so much more loudly because of the high quality of the instrumental track and vocal delivery. “I am, I am a black woman, oh I am free, and you can’t take that away from me.”
“I am” demonstrates absolute command of song construction. Masterful layering of pedal steel, banjo, and snare brushes build this song to its emotional peak. At the apex, background vocals and a massive “clap stomp” pattern sails over the music and embeds the song one layer deeper yet into the mind of the listener. Truly a marvelous work of art, “I am” showcases expertise in music production, gifted vocal deliveries and sublime connection of lyrical content to sonic landscape. Hats off to Natalie Jean.
About Natalie Jean
Natalie Jean is an award winning, multi-nominated singer/songwriter performer. She is also a Voting Member in the Recording Academy (GRAMMYS). NatalieJean is a versatile performer and singer. She sings and writes for many genres , such as Jazz, Pop, R&B, Blues, World, Rock, Country, Americana, Inspirational, Adult Contemporary, Alternative, and, Dance. She can also sing in French, Spanish, English, and Haitian Creole. NatalieJean is mostly influenced by artists such as Lena Horne, Celine Dion, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, and Ella Fitzgerald. She has performed at many venues in the MD/DC. She also has performed in LA, New York ,Nashville, and North Carolina. She also appeared on WPFW, a Jazz station in Washington DC, and many other stations around the world. She has been nominated over 100 times for her music and has won many awards. She has released six albums, Obsession, NatalieJean, Lecons D'Amour, Unafraid, Haiti Mwen Renmenw, and Where Do We Go From Here?. She has also released several singles. For more information on Natalie Jean, please visit her website.