Mash P (SL)

“Music saved my life. Without music I had nothing”. Nathaniel Sesay, aka Mash P, was born in Sierra Leone and, after the conflict, he lived on the streets of Freetown for 12 years. He describes his music as Afro Dance Hall and he started to record his tracks at charity WAYout 11 years ago. He released his first album ‘Mr President’ and quickly built a reputation as a talented writer and amazing performer. Mash P’s music started to get noticed internationally and in 2021 he won a Global Talent Visa to the UK where he performed twice at Glastonbury on the Strummerville stage, toured with Frank Turner and developed his producing skills. In 2022 Mash met Last Night a DJ Saved My Life when they travelled to Sierra Leone and he recorded a compilation album with producer Steve Mac, alongside other street musicians which will be released next year. In 2023 he attended the mixmasters course and met Danny Savage whose 100 mile marathon, alongside support from LNADJ, has raised money to open a music and arts school in his home town, Taiama. Music brings me peace, he says and his story resonates with other street youth who are inspired by Mash to believe in themselves and develop their talents.