
Providing food for the mind, body, and soul is the creative inspiration behind the music of singer/songwriter Natalie Redd (McKnight). The music created and performed by great artists such as: Jill Scott, Anita Baker, Lalah Hathaway, Prince, Aretha Franklin and others helped Natalie to hone in and develop such a jazzy, yet soulful, sound that touches the emotions of her listeners.
This Mississippi native has been singing since she was a little girl – from church choir(s) to talent shows. In the late 90’s, while working at a casino in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Natalie would perform with the casino’s band on her nights off and provided vocals for local artists’ recordings. When she moved to Massachusetts in the summer of 2000, music was placed aside to focus on motherhood. After the passing of her grandmother in 2010, music quickly became her mode of therapy. She was sought after by various local bands as lead female vocalists. The responses with love and appreciation from her new fan base is the moment Natalie realized just how important music is in the world and that each song had a soul-healing message to it – not just for her, but for all who embraces it.
Although she enjoyed band-life and performing at various music festivals, conferences, tribute shows, and being an opening act for concerts, her skills were put to the test when she was encouraged record a solo project. In 2015, Natalie teamed up with producer/composer, Jarreau Pitts of Pitts Campaign Music (Springfield, MA) and recorded her first EP titled It Is What It Is which was released in April 2016. From that EP, her song Get Away (produced by Wayne Patrick Brown from Connecticut) top charted the UK. Her single BOSS (featuring Shaun Vega) was released in 2017.
May 2018, Natalie earned a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Negotiation from the University of Bay Path (Longmeadow, MA). She continues to improve her songwriting skills with songs like: Givin’ Up (2018), Trapped (feat. The Wayne Patrik) (2019), Dear R&B and Body Language (2020), and an EP title R&B 101 (2021). Natalie's latest single, Cause I Love U (The Official Cover) is very special to her because she got to open for the originator (Lenny Williams) at a show in the 90s when the opening act couldn't. She said that she has always wanted to cover that song as a tribute to Mr. Williams.
Not only is she a singer/songwriter, mother, entertainer, etc. - she is host and producer of a streaming radio show called The ReddZone. The show was created to feature the undiscovered artists such as herself. The world labels such artists as "Independent Artists", but Natalie says "that label is a restriction that we must fight to remove. All creative minds should be recognized and loved for the contribution to the Arts and their passion. We are messengers sent to help heal and bring joy." The ReddZone is aired nationwide different platforms.