Naquan Brown, Nate the Great, independent artist and producer

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

Hello there! My name's Naquan Brown, better known by my stage alias Nate the Great. I'm an artist and producer who was born and raised in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York, and still resides there.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

The one thing I love about my hometown of the Rockaways is that we have the most beautiful beach along the boardwalk. Also the fact that there's a skatepark not too far from my house.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

I don't officially have a company, but I am an independent, self-funded artist investing in my career through my full-time occupation as a courier (also known as a foot messenger). I can say that it helps demonstrate how to separate your financial responsibilities between your passion and your personal duties.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

I'd say to anyone who wants to begin their own business: make sure to have the correct team of people around you who share the same vision as you do. Study all the greatest entrepreneurs who've gone on to own thriving businesses.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

The biggest piece of positive feedback I ever received from anybody was to keep pushing that authentic identity and relatability factor within my music.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I see my art being pushed out to more listeners worldwide, and touring all around to meet the people my music has reached.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

Sometimes the industry is not willing to give a fair shot to someone who's been at it for a long period of time. I agree to an extent, yet on the other hand, it's a matter of right place, right person and right time.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

I had quite a few growing up, but my three main favorite artists were MF DOOM, Eminem and Nujabes.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

A shout out to my hometown of Far Rockaway, my family, the entire community of local artists on the come up, my Crown Zero companion, fellow artist and close friend Damon Free, other artists such as E.D Matrix, J Mxlly and Zoey Young, the Queens Library for Teens for helping me begin my journey to become the artist I am today, and most importantly myself, for not giving up and still pushing through all the adversity tossed my way.