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Free Nationals

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For their self-titled album, see Free Nationals (album).
Not to be confused with Free National Movement.

Free Nationals
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.
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
OriginLos Angeles, California
Genres
Years active2010–present
Labels
Members
  • José Ríos
  • Ron "T.Nava" Avant
  • Kelsey Gonzalez
  • Callum Connor
Websitefreenationals.co

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]

History

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Guitarist 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

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Their 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

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  • José Ríos – lead guitars, backing vocals[17]
  • Ron "T.Nava" Avant – keyboards, synthesizers, talkbox, rhythm guitars, lead and backing vocals[18]
  • Kelsey Gonzalez – bass guitar, bass synth, backing vocals[19]
  • Callum Connor – DJ, drums, percussion, backing vocals[20]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Details
Free Nationals

Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions
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

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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

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Grammy Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 Free Nationals Best Progressive R&B Album Nominated [32]

References

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  1. ^ "Free Nationals – 'Free Nationals' album review". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. December 13, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  2. ^ "Free Nationals". Genius. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  3. ^ "Free Nationals: Free Nationals review – a smooth ride with Anderson .Paak's band". The Guardian. December 15, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  4. ^ Crameri, Nick (December 11, 2019). "Free Nationals - Free Nationals — Sungenre Review". Sungenre. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  5. ^ "No longer "wearing all black, standing in the back": Free Nationals step out". PILERATS. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  6. ^ "Anderson's Pack: Meet the Free Nationals". Complex. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  7. ^ "Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals: Tiny Desk Concert". NPR.org. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  8. ^ "The Free Nationals Are Joined By Anderson .Paak And Others For Their Tiny Desk Set". UPROXX. April 20, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  9. ^ Prevost, Dinorah (October 14, 2018). "Intro: The Free Nationals bring you Beauty & Essex, England". Medium. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  10. ^ Free Nationals: Time - Music Streaming - Listen on Deezer, retrieved October 24, 2020
  11. ^ "Free Nationals Announce 'Time' Featuring Mac Miller". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  12. ^ "Free Nationals Drop Self-Titled Studio Album". Complex. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  13. ^ Kellman, Andy (n.d.). "Free Nationals: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  14. ^ Fletcher, Harry (December 13, 2019). "Free Nationals - Free Nationals review: Sublime quartet are brimming with boundless potential". Evening Standard. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  15. ^ Free Nationals – Juno Records, retrieved November 29, 2020
  16. ^ "Free Nationals". Spotify. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  17. ^ "Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals Ride The Wave". A Nation of Billions. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  18. ^ "Ron Avant". Musicians Institute Hollywood. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  19. ^ "Kelsey Gonzales and Jose Rios of Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals – Orange Amps". orangeamps.com. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  20. ^ "Drummerszone - Callum Connor". Drummerszone.com. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  21. ^ "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". The Official NZ Music Chart. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  22. ^ Beauty & Essex (feat. Daniel Caesar & Unknown Mortal Orchestra), retrieved October 23, 2020
  23. ^ Time, retrieved October 23, 2020
  24. ^ On Sight, retrieved October 23, 2020
  25. ^ Eternal Light, retrieved October 23, 2020
  26. ^ Shibuya, retrieved October 23, 2020
  27. ^ ALLSTAR, retrieved December 21, 2020
  28. ^ Photo ID (Free Nationals Remix), retrieved December 21, 2020
  29. ^ Buddy (feat. Rae Khalil, Free Nationals, Black Nile & Chris Dave and The Drumhedz), retrieved July 10, 2021
  30. ^ Pretty Lady (Free Nationals Remix), November 5, 2021, retrieved December 2, 2021
  31. ^ Strawberry Blush (feat. Free Nationals), September 9, 2022, retrieved November 5, 2022
  32. ^ "2021 GRAMMYs: Complete Nominees List". GRAMMY.com. November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
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