Rising from the shackles as a refugee to become a world star is not a common occurrence. However, this is the story of award-winning artist and songwriter Slate Nation, whose real name is Ngot Peter Mou Athuai, an Australia-based musician who was born in war-torn South Sudan.
In the early years of the South Sudanese Civil War, Slate Nation had to seek refuge in Australia to further his dream. He speaks of his journey as an African kid being one so full of ambition that one day his dream of becoming an internationally acclaimed artist will become a reality.
Slate Nation brings a new and unique sound to the industry that drives its inspiration from his African roots. He narrates how as a victim of war, he uses music as a means of expression and a way of telling his story about war and suffering in his home country. For Slate Nation, music is a way of drowning his sorrows while bringing awareness to people about love, peace, and harmony. By using music to tell his real-life story, he wants to become an inspiration to other young people back in South Sudan. He notes, “I want to use music to unite people.”
As a new artist, Slate Nation has managed to rack up many awards in the musical industry. Some of them include:
● Fans Choice Awards at the MTN Music Awards
● Best Collaboration of the Year at the South Theater Academy Awards
● Best Male Artist at the South Theater Academy Awards
● Best Song of the Year for “Juba Juice” at the South Theater Academy Awards
● People’s Choice Award at the South Theater Academy Awards
● Song of the Year at the South Sudan Talent Awards
● Dancehall Artist of the Year at the South Sudan Talent Awards
● Male Artist of the Year at the South Sudan Talent Awards
● Video of the Year at the South Sudan Talent Youth Awards
● Best Collaboration of the Year at the South Sudan Talent Awards
Slate Nation has also shared the stage with top international artists, including Rema, Diamond Platnumz, Jose Chameleon, and Pallaso. He has also joined forces with top artists in his future project, which is set to release in early 2023. Slate Nation has also toured across Africa, America, Canada, and Australia.
Despite his talent and the hard work he’s put into growing his career, Slate Nation talks about the lack of support as his major challenge. Being an independent artist requires him to go the extra mile to ensure everything turns out well. However, this hasn’t deterred him from his path to become a celebrated international artist. He talks about African artists who broke musical barriers to reach the world stage as his heroes. These include Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido, and Slate Nation’s dream is to work with them one day.
Coming from a poor background as a war refugee, Slate Nation has broken many barriers, and he’s proof that dreaming big pays off. He’s a role model to other young people and an icon to the kids back in South Sudan who have a dream. Check out his released projects on YouTube as you wait for new hot bangers in the coming year. His latest album, Nation, featuring top international artists, will premiere in early 2023, followed by a world tour.
