Sacramento Singer Nate Curry Goes Where the Love Is

Not many people start their music careers at three years old, but Sacramento artist Nate Curry is one of those few. His father was part of the ’90s rap group The Cuf, so it didn’t take Curry long to figure out what he wanted to do when he grew up. “I would just do shows with my dad,” Curry says. “I would jump on stage with their group.”

Now, 27 years later, he is living his childhood dream. After getting noticed for his 2017 singles “Cold Shoulder” and “Temporary Fix,” Curry got his first taste of the national spotlight on a 2019 tour with fellow Sacramento artist Hobo Johnson. In 2023, Curry released Tight Knit, a 12-minute R&B project that compares an intense love connection to the stitches of his signature purple beanie. Curry says he’s arrived at a newfound clarity and mindfulness in creating, which has opened up new opportunities.

“I’m just where the love is,” Curry says. “If there happens to be music, then we’re going.”

Curry was slated to perform at Sol Blume, one of the West Coast’s biggest R&B festivals. Unfortunately, the event was delayed from May 2024 to August 2025, but Curry hasn’t lost momentum. On July 19, he’ll take the stage with Kool John at Sacramento’s Concerts in the Park series, which spotlights other local artists including Igwe Aka and DJ Shino Smoke.

Curry’s dad, the producer SBVCE (formerly N8 the Gr8), introduced him to the music world and helped his son hone his sound. Curry evolved from rapping like a “real hip-hop head” to singing airy, introspective, 808-heavy R&B that puts a new spin on his traditional roots. This foundation gave him confidence, and eventually, Curry decided to branch out on his own.

“I got to a point where I wanted to see what I could do as a man for myself and try some things,” he says.

His new track, “Nah G,” is an anthemic single that was made over a FaceTime call. The song pushes the idea of Curry being himself to the fullest, realizing his career is more about the journey than the destination. On the bouncy track, reminiscent of a video game soundtrack, he playfully says “no” to people in 14 different ways.

Curry has collaborated extensively with artists from the Bay Area, including Pinole producer and HBK member P-Lo, who appears on “Knock It” from Curry’s 2022 By Design album. “Through P-Lo, I met so many people. He has been such a great fool,” Curry says. “He’s always recommending me somewhere. He’s always showed full love and put me with the people that lined up with my wave.”

Curry and P-Lo’s collaborations show the unity between Bay Area and Sacramento artists. Sacramento artists regularly venture down I-80 to the Bay Area for inspiration and connections; meanwhile, many Bay Area-raised artists have relocated to Sac for (slightly) more affordable housing. The two regions have a symbiotic relationship that finds its way into the music and beyond.

“It’s Northern Cali,” says Curry. “It’s up.”

That statewide creative exchange extends to Los Angeles as well. Through P-Lo, Curry met the LA producer Cassio Lopes, who produced and shot the video for “Nah G” and worked closely with P-Lo for his album, Stunna.

“The moment I met Nate, it felt like I’ve known him my entire life,” Lopes said.

From that initial meeting, Lopes and Curry became fast friends and frequent collaborators. As Curry continues his journey and expands his artistry, he will return to Cesar Chavez Park on July 19 for a full circle moment. This will be the first time Curry and Lopes perform on stage together. Curry hopes it’ll be a “beautiful wave.”

“I absolutely can’t wait for that,” he exclaims. “The energy is going to be up.”

More details about Sacramento’s Concerts In the Park series are here.