Norman Howell (born May 11, 1973), better known as Notch, is an American R&B, reggae,

dancehall Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially, dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s.Barrow, Steve & Dalton, Peter (2004) "The Rou ...

, and reggaeton artist. He was the former lead vocalist and one of the creative forces behind the hip-hop/ reggae group Born Jamericans. He is known for his 2001 chart topper, Nuttin nuh go so. He has featured on albums such as '' Mas Flow 2'', ''

Mas Flow 2.5 ''Mas Flow 2'' is the second compilation album by reggaeton producers Luny Tunes. The album was a joint venture with reggaeton artist Baby Ranks as he was featured in virtually every song in the album. Many of reggaeton's biggest names were fea ...

'', '' Chosen Few II: El Documental'', '' Barrio Fino'', and '' The Cosmic Game''. His first solo album, ''Raised by the People'', was released in May 2007.

Biography

Early life

Howell was born in Hartford, Connecticut. His mother is of African-American, Native American, and Portuguese descent, however his brothers and sisters, from the same mother but different father, are of Puerto Rican and African-American descent. His father was born in Jamaica and is of Afro-Cuban and

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

descent. Howell's parents separated when he was still an infant. He spent his early years with his mother, living in Hartford, Connecticut. Howell grew up in a multicultural neighborhood and learned Spanish because most of his friends at that time were of Hispanic descent. He left Connecticut to live with his father in Washington, D.C., when he was nine years old. Notch also spent a short time in Bermuda before moving back to Washington, D.C., where he lived until his early twenties.

Career

Notch is fluent in American English, Jamaican Patois, and Spanglish. He mixes all three dialects and languages in some songs, a mixture he calls "Spatoinglish". Notch has worked with Daddy Yankee,

Luny Tunes Luny Tunes are a reggaeton production duo consisting of Francisco Saldaña (Luny) and Víctor Cabrera (Tunes) who have been known for creating unique musical rhythms for some of the most popular reggaeton artists since the early 2000s. Biograph ...

, Voltio,

Baby Ranks David Luciano Acosta, known professionally as Baby Ranks, is a Puerto Rican and Dominican reggaeton artist. He has co-billing on the Luny Tunes album '' Mas Flow 2'', and sings on multiple tracks including the single " Mayor Que Yo" ("Older than ...

, Thievery Corporation,

Sublime Sublime may refer to: Entertainment * SuBLime, a comic imprint of Viz Media for BL manga * Sublime (band), an American ska punk band ** ''Sublime'' (album), 1996 * ''Sublime'' (film), a 2007 horror film * SubLime FM, a Dutch radio station dedic ...

Pitbull Pit bull is a term used in the United States for a type of dog descended from bulldogs and terriers, while in other countries such as the United Kingdom the term is used as an abbreviation of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed. The term was f ...

, T-Weaponz, and Rascalz. Notch has provided vocals on several Thievery Corporation songs, including the title track of '' The Richest Man in Babylon'', "Amerimacka", "Blasting Through the City" and "Strike the Root". Four songs also appear on Thievery's Corporation's "The Temple of I & I" including "Strike the Root," "True Sons of Zion," "Weapons of Distraction," and "Drop Your Guns."

Discography

Born Jamericans

*"Boom Shak-a-Tack" (1993) *"Cease & Seckle" (1994) *''

Kids from Foreign ''Kids from Foreign'' is the debut studio album by Born Jamericans. ''Kids from Foreign'' was the fifth-best-selling reggae album of 1994. It peaked at No. 188 on the ''Billboard'' 200. Critical reception The ''Tampa Bay Times The ''Tamp ...

'' (1994) *'' Yardcore'' (1997)

Solo work

*''Raised by the People'' (2007) *#Intro/ Hay Que Bueno *#Dale Pa' Tra (Back It Up) *#Algarete *#Guaya Guaya *#Que Te Pica *#Layaway Love *#Layaway Love Remix (feat. Fatman Scoop) *#Rosalinda *#Traemelo *#Tocame *#Más De Ti *#Ella Se Fue *#Castigo *#No Problema *#Jah Mexi Cali *#Mano y Mano *#Verme (Remix) - (with

& Jabba) *#Chévere (Remix) - (with Voltio) *#Bailar Reggae *#Bun Out Bad Mind *#Hay Que Bueno *#Tú 'Tá Loco

References

External links

PopMatters.com - Review of Thievery Corporation's album "The Richest Man in Babylon".
{{DEFAULTSORT:Notch Jamaican reggae musicians American reggaeton musicians Dancehall musicians 1973 births Living people Musicians from Hartford, Connecticut