Natalia Sheppard ( ''née'' Scott), better known by her stage names MC Tali and Tali, is a

New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...

drum and bass Drum and bass (commonly abbreviated as DnB, D&B, or D'n'B) is a genre of electronic dance music characterised by fast Break (music)#Breakbeat (element of music), breakbeats (typically 165–185 Tempo, beats per minute) with heavy Bass (music) ...

singer and rapper, first found acclaim for her 2004 hit "Lyric on My Lip", which reached #39 in the UK Singles Chart. Tali has also worked with prominent artists, such as former

Mercury Music Prize The Mercury Prize, formerly called the Mercury Music Prize, is an annual Music award, music prize awarded for the best album released by a musical act from the Music of the United Kingdom, United Kingdom or Music of Ireland, Ireland. It was cre ...

nominee

Roni Size Ryan Owen Granville Williams (born 29 October 1969), better known by his stage name Roni Size, is an English DJ and record producer. He came to prominence in 1997 as the founder and frontman of Roni Size & Reprazent, a drum and bass collective. ...

. Tali prefers to use the name "Tali" when singing and songwriting acoustically or live, preferring to use 'MC" whenever she collaborates with electronic music artists, sometimes using the former. In November 2019 Tali won the Vodafone New Zealand Music Award for Best Electronica Artist for her 2018 album "Love & Migration".

Biography

Originally from a

dairy farm Dairy farming is a class of agriculture for the long-term production of milk, which is processed (either on the farm or at a dairy plant, either of which may be called a dairy) for the eventual sale of a dairy product. Dairy farming has a h ...

in Awatuna,

Taranaki Taranaki is a regions of New Zealand, region in the west of New Zealand's North Island. It is named after its main geographical feature, the stratovolcano Mount Taranaki, Taranaki Maunga, formerly known as Mount Egmont. The main centre is the ...

, Tali moved to the UK in 2001 to follow her dreams of becoming a top international MC. After signing to the legendary Full Cycle Label owned and run by

, Tali went on to release her first album ''Lyric on my Lip'' with a UK top 40 single and worldwide tour. The album featured production from Roni Size,

Krust Kirk Thompson (born 26 July 1968), better known by his stage name Krust, is an English drum and bass producer, DJ and co-owner of the Full Cycle record label. Beyond his roles in the music industry, Thompson is also responsible for two busines ...

, Die and featured guest vocals from

Dynamite MC Dynamite MC (born Dominic Smith, 7 October 1973) is an English rapper and MC. He originally gained prominence in jungle/drum and bass, working with Roni Size & Reprazent, but has also released hip hop material. Career He started his MCing ca ...

. From here she collaborated with some of the scene's most prolific names in both production and DJ/MC shows, working alongside people such as

Goldie Clifford Joseph Price MBE (born 19 September 1965), better known as Goldie, is an English music producer, DJ, and actor. Initially gaining exposure for his work as a graffiti artist, Goldie became well known for his pioneering role as a musi ...

, Fabio, Grooverider,

Shy FX Andre Williams, better known as Shy FX, is a British DJ and producer from London. He specialises in drum and bass and jungle music. Biography Shy FX's debut record was "Jungle Love", released in 1992 on the Permission to Dance label. Soon after ...

, Dirtyphonics,

Ed Rush Ben Settle, known by the stage name Ed Rush, is a drum and bass producer and DJ. Rush has been releasing records since 1992 primarily with Optical (Matt Quinn), his musical partner since 1997. Along with Optical, he is also the co-founder of ...

E-Z Rollers E-Z Rollers are a British drum and bass group.IMO Record"EZ Rollers", '' IMO Records'', London, 21 October 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011. The group was formed in 1995 in Suffolk, England. E-Z Rollers began releasing output on the Moving Sh ...

, The Freestylers,

Calibre In guns, particularly firearms, but not artillery, where a different definition may apply, caliber (or calibre; sometimes abbreviated as "cal") is the specified nominal internal diameter of the gun barrel bore – regardless of how or wher ...

DJ Marky Marco Antonio da Silva, known professionally as DJ Marky, is a Brazilian drum and bass DJ. Together with DJ Patife, XRS Land and Drumagick, Brazilians were forging a new sound in drum and bass that became popular around the world with release ...

and many more. When Full Cycle disbanded in 2006, Tali moved to

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

for a change of scenery and music. Disillusioned with the drum and bass scene, and suffering from depression and anxiety, she began working alongside

hip hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip- ...

duo First Man, and from here collaborated with MC’s including

Skinnyman Skinnyman (born Alexander Graham Holland, 9 November 1974) is a British rapping, rapper who was born in Chapeltown, West Yorkshire, Chapeltown Leeds, Yorkshire and moved to Finsbury Park (area), Finsbury Park, London at a young age. He is best ...

Blak Twang Blak Twang (born Tony Olabode in England), who also uses the pseudonyms Taipanic and Tony Rotton, is a British rapper who grew up in Deptford, Lewisham, South-East London. Blak Twang is admired for his live performances, and is also respected fo ...

, Ti2bs and Sincere. From this came her compilation CD ''Do It for Yourself''. After regaining her confidence in 2008, Tali began MCing out and about on the drum and bass circuit once again. Her skills earned her “Best Female MC” at the Drum n Bass Awards three years in a row from 2008 to 2010. Afterwards, Tali signed to AudioPorn Records and released ''Dark Days, High Nights'' which features collaborations with

Lynx A lynx ( ; : lynx or lynxes) is any of the four wikt:extant, extant species (the Canada lynx, Iberian lynx, Eurasian lynx and the bobcat) within the medium-sized wild Felidae, cat genus ''Lynx''. The name originated in Middle Engl ...

, Dirtyphonics, Dodge and Fuski, Fourward, Noisses, Shimon, Ed Rush and SKisM. Tali also released a live studio version of this album in collaboration with indie/

folk Folk or Folks may refer to: Sociology *Nation *People * Folklore ** Folk art ** Folk dance ** Folk hero ** Folk horror ** Folk music *** Folk metal *** Folk punk *** Folk rock ** Folk religion * Folk taxonomy Arts, entertainment, and media * Fo ...

band More Like Trees, featuring Christoph Bauschinger, backing vocals from Collette Warren and production by legendary DnB producer Ant Miles in 2011. During her hiatus from drum and bass, Tali also created an alias for herself, as a chance to explore her love of

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

and

showtunes A show tune is a popular song, song originally written as part of the score of a work of musical theatre or musical film, especially if the piece in question has become a Standard (music), standard, more or less detached in most people's minds ...

. Rogue Nouveau was born and from here Tali put together a live band, which produced jazz with a touch of her trademark MCing. Rogue Nouveau performed at prestigious venues throughout London, such as The Jazz Café and

Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club is a jazz club that has operated in Soho, London, since 1959. History The club opened on 30 October 1959 in a basement at 39 Gerrard Street in London's Soho district. It was set up and managed by musicians Ronnie Sc ...

, before disbanding when Tali moved back to New Zealand in 2012. In 2011, Tali was commissioned as the composer for a political comedy musical called ''Nicked'' (written by Richard Marsh), which featured at The Hightide Theatre Festival and previewed on the West End. It received rave reviews in ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...

'', ''

The Observer ''The Observer'' is a British newspaper published on Sundays. First published in 1791, it is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper. In 1993 it was acquired by Guardian Media Group Limited, and operated as a sister paper to ''The Guardian'' ...

'' and ''

London Evening Standard The ''London Standard'', formerly the ''Evening Standard'' (1904–2024) and originally ''The Standard'' (1827–1904), is a long-established regional newspaper published weekly and distributed free of charge in London, England. It is print ...

''. While working on this musical, she met her co producer Christoph Bauschinger. Their friendship and work relationship on this project led to them collaborating on her fourth studio album. ''Of Things to Come...'', which Tali released herself upon returning to New Zealand in 2012. Tali's vocals were featured on the

Activision Activision Publishing, Inc. is an American video game publisher based in Santa Monica, California. It serves as the publishing business for its parent company, Activision Blizzard, and consists of several subsidiary studios. Activision is one o ...

game ''

DJ Hero ''DJ Hero'' is a 2009 rhythm game developed by FreeStyleGames and published by Activision. It is the first spin-off of the ''Guitar Hero'' series. It was released on October 27, 2009, in North America and on October 29, 2009, in Europe. The gam ...

'', and her songs have been used in promotion for

Rob Dyrdek Robert Stanley Dyrdek (born June 28, 1974) is an American entrepreneur, actor, producer, reality TV personality, and former professional skateboarder. He is best known for his roles in the MTV reality and variety shows '' Rob & Big'', '' Rob D ...

's '' Fantasy Factory'' on the Xtreme Sports Channel (

Sky UK Sky UK Limited (formerly British Sky Broadcasting Limited (BSkyB)), Trade name, trading as Sky, is a British broadcasting, broadcaster and telecommunications company that provides television, broadband internet, fixed line and mobile telephone ...

), '' Really'' and ''

Soccer AM ''Soccer AM'' was a British football-based comedy talk show, produced by Sky Sports. It aired from 20 August 1994 to 27 May 2023 on Sky Showcase, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Football. From 2010, the programme was put on a short b ...

'', and her

voice-over Voice-over (also known as off-camera or off-stage commentary) is a production technique used in radio, television, filmmaking, theatre, and other media in which a descriptive or expository voice that is not part of the narrative (i.e., non- ...

s are used on

BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and Contemporary hit radio, current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including ...

and

BBC Radio 1Xtra BBC Radio 1Xtra is a British digital radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It broadcasts Black music and urban music, including hip hop and R&B and is a sister station to Radio 1. Launching at 18:00 on 16 August 2002, it had been ...

. After moving back to New Zealand in 2012, Tali started her own radio show called ''The Morning Sickness'' on

George FM George FM is a New Zealand dance music radio station, owned and operated by MediaWorks from its Hargreaves Street headquarters and relayed on Freeview and radio frequencies around New Zealand. Its seventy-five regular presenters and additional ...

(8am10am), which she gave up early 2015 due to touring commitments. She was also the corporate voice of the station for over a year. Tali is a trained secondary school teacher at the Canterbury College of Education, has a

diploma A diploma is a document awarded by an educational institution (such as a college or university) testifying the recipient has graduated by successfully completing their courses of studies. Historically, it has also referred to a charter or offi ...

from The National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts (NASDA), a B.A. in English Literature also has vast experience in tutoring, mentoring, writing and vocal producing for other artists. As well as this Tali has written for ATM,

Knowledge Knowledge is an Declarative knowledge, awareness of facts, a Knowledge by acquaintance, familiarity with individuals and situations, or a Procedural knowledge, practical skill. Knowledge of facts, also called propositional knowledge, is oft ...

, Nu:Soul, and Guestlist Network publications in the UK and US and for 'Her' magazine in New Zealand. After returning to New Zealand, Tali released ''Of Things to Come…'', produced by Christoph Bauschinger and featured guest vocals from Laura Hunter. Distributed by Rhythm Method, Tali released two singles: "JetSet Love" received

NZ On Air NZ On Air (NZOA; ), formally the Broadcasting Commission, is an Crown entity, autonomous Crown entity and commission of the New Zealand Government responsible for providing funding for broadcasting and creative works. The commission operates l ...

funding (shot by Mo’Fresh Productions) and "Of Things to Come…" was funded independently (shot by Toby Ricketts). Tali initially toured this album with a live band, before stripping it back to acoustic form with her guitarist and co-collaborator Harry Leatherby in order to focus more on her musical performance. In May 2015 Tali finished producing, writing and recording her own independent album ''Wolves'', which went to #14 in the New Zealand album charts in its first week of release. The first single from this - "Forces" was remixed by TREi and went to #18 in the New Zealand singles charts. Tali released two further singles from this 'Faster Than Sound' and 'Wolves' with additional music videos. Following on from this, in 2016 Tali released 'KETA' a dreamy, downtempo cinematic EP featuring production from Tokyo Prose, Aske, and Sam De Jong and vocal cameos from Kings and Bailey Wiley. Singles from this included 'High To Get High', 'I Fly Over You' and 'Berlin' all of which have accompanying music videos. In 2018 Tali published her first ever fiction novel 'The Little White House' under her full name Natalia Sheppard - which was published by UK publishing house Vanguard Press. That same year, seven years since she last released a full Drum and Bass album, Tali released 'Love & Migration' on Fokuz Records (Netherlands). This album features production from Malaky, Kasper, Melinki, The Vanguard Project and Roygreen and Protone amongst others, and vocal features from DRS, Degs and Georgie Fisher. Singles from the album include 'Eye On You' and 'Paperwasp'. This album saw Tali take out 'Best Electronic Artist' at the 2019 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards. In 2020, Tali celebrated 15 years since the release of her debut album 'Lyric On My Lip' with both its first ever digital release, and an accompanying documentary which Tali produced herself, during lockdown. The digital release was launched on Tali's newly formed record label Reign Recordings, and the documentary features interviews with Roni Size, Dynamite MC, Bryan G, A.I, Collette Warren, Ray Keith, and many more. As well as this, during lockdown Tali refined her skills as a producer, and began working on her eighth studio album 'Future Dwellers' which she released in 2022, and which was nominated for an Aotearoa Music Award. Her two single off the album were 'My Remedy' featuring UK Drum n Bass artist Ruth Royall and 'Lost Up In Your Love' featuring Pharaoh Swami. Tali was also asked to remix the indie folk song 'Hawks and Doves' for acclaimed New Zealand singer Reb Fountain. This remix was released on Flying Nun in 2021. During the same year Tali attended the Aotearoa SyncPosium, a workshop designed to bring together musicians and composers to learn about the world of composing for film and television. From here Tali went on to break into the world of composing, successfully securing contracts to make music for both online and television work, as well as currently writing the score for her first international documentary film. Tali continues to perform and tour both as a singer/songwriter and MC, both in New Zealand and internationally, and works collaboratively with DJs and producers onstage and in the studio. She is a music consultant, mentor, inspirational speaker, and educator. Tali currently lives in Auckland with her husband - DJ and promoter, Chiccoreli.

Discography

Albums

Singles

* "Lyric on My Lip" (Full Cycle Records, 2004) - UK No. 75 * "Blazin" (Full Cycle Records, 2004) - UK No. 42, AUS No. 97 * "Lyric on My Lip" (re-release, 2004) - UK No. 39 * "Airport Lounge" (Full Cycle Records, 2004) * "High Hopes (All Over Now)" (Full Cycle Records, 2004) * "Tali Story" (Easy/Sativa Records, 2007) * "Dark Days" / "Lost in the Game" (AudioPorn Records, 2011) * "Facing Forwards" / "Who Can Say?" (AudioPorn Records, 2011) * "JetSet Love" (Talimusic 2012) * "Of Things to Come..." (Talimusic 2012) * "Walk a Mile" (Talimusic 2014) * "Forces" (Talimusic 2014) * "Faster Than Sound" (Talimusic 2014) * "Wolves" (Talimusic 2015) * "Forces" TREi Remix (Viper Recordings, UK 2014) * "How to Get High" (Talimusic 2016) * "I Fly Over You" featuring Kings (Talimusic 2016) * "Berlin" (Talimusic 2016) * "Powerful" featuring Melodownz (Talimusic 2017) * "Eye On You" (Fokuz Recordings 2018) * "Paperwasp" Lenzman Remix (Fokuz Recordings) * "Love & Migration" State Of Mind Remix (Fokuz Recordings 2019) * "Hawks & Doves" (Tali Remix) -Reb Fountain - 2021 - Flying Nun Records * "My Remedy" Featuring Ruth Royall 2022 (Reign Recordings) * "Lost Up In Your Love" Featuring Pharaoh Swami 2022 (Reign Recordings) * "Make It Right" (Tali Remix) - Denel -2023 * "I'm On A Roll" 2023 (Reign Recordings) *"Ever Enough" 2023 (Reign Recordings)

Featured on

*Ahoribuzz - "Providence" (2014) *Asides & Makoto - 'In Your Arms" (Aquarian Dreams 2015) *Atlantic Connection - "Good Hood Review" (feat. MC Tali) (Hot Pink Delorean Remix) *Atlantic Connection - "Good Hood Review" (feat. MC Tali) *Atlantic Connection - "So Me" (feat. MC Tali) *

- "Travellin' " (feat. MC Tali) (First Man Remix) *Bulletproof - "Lessons" (2013) * Camo and Krooked - "Verve" (feat. Tali) - Audioporn Records 2010) *

Chaz Jankel Charles Jeremy "Chaz" Jankel (born 16 April 1952) is an English musician and songwriter. In a music career spanning more than 50 years, he came to prominence in the late 1970s as the guitarist and keyboardist of the rock band Ian Dury and the ...

- "I Come Alive" (feat. MC Tali) * Clipz - "Forever" (feat. MC Tali) *Clipz - "Sound Boy" (feat. MC Tali) (VIP Remix) *Clipz - "Sound Boy" (feat. MC Tali) *Clipz - "Thinking Forward (feat. MC Tali)" * Concord Dawn - "Moonlighting" (2014) *CTRL-Z & Screwface present Stereo:Type - "Under My Skin (feat. MC Tali)" *Dan Aux - "Fcvk Yes" (2014) *Denel - "Make It Right" The Tali Remix - 2023 * Die & Skitz - "It's On (feat. MC Tali &

)" (Clipz Remix) *Die & Skitz - "It's On (feat. MC Tali & Dynamite MC)" * Dirtyphonics - "The Secret" (AudioPorn Records, 2010) *Dope Ammo - "Cold Rock A Party" feat Tali 2012 *Dope Ammo - "Cold Rock A Party" feat Tali - Dossa & Locuzzed Remix 2016 - Influence Album Sampler vol 1 *Dope Ammo - "Cold Rock A Party" feat Tali - Jayden Remix 2012 *Dope Ammo - "Cold Rock A Party" feat Tali - Slumdogz Remix 2012 * Drumsound & Bassline Smith - "In the Silence (feat. MC Tali)" *Eavesdrop - "What Do They Know?" (2013) *Eavesdrop - "Sideshow" (2014) *Eavesdrop - "This Moment" (2017) *Elipsa - "Divine" featuring Tali 2022 - UKF *

- "Slow Fire feat Tali - Conductor album (2007) *E-Z Rollers -"Lets Give In/Liar Liar" (Intercom Recordings 2008) *First Man - "Help Them (feat. MC Tali & Blak Twang)" 2006 *First Man - "Set It Off (feat. MC Tali & Skinnyman)" 2006 *Fourward - "Facing Fourwards (feat. Tali)" udioporn Records 2011*Harriet Jaxxon "What We Gonna Do?" Featuring Tali 2021 DnB Arena *

& Die - "Hold It Down (feat. MC Tali)" *Krust & Die - "Soul Beat Calling (feat. MC Tali)" *Krust & Die - "Sounds of the Culture (feat. MC Tali &

Rodney P Rodney Panton, also known as Rodney P (born in Balham, London, 12 December 1969) is an English MC, as well as a radio and television personality who first gained attention via the UK hip hop scene in the 1980s. A former member of UK hip-hop gro ...

)" *

& Kemo - "The Real Thing (feat. MC Tali & Vaceo)" *MayaVanya - "Rockets" (2014) *Monika and Akuratyde "House On Fire" 2020 - Fokuz Recordings *Monika and Akuratyde "House On Fire VIP" feat Tali - 2023 - Fokuz Recordings *Mutated Forms - "Blue Magic" ( SS Remix - New Identity Recordings, 2008) *Paramount - "Wanderlust" (Broken Audio 2015) *Patife & SUV - "Inta Outa (feat. MC Tali)" (Rock Mix) *Patife & SUV - "Inta Outa (feat. MC Tali)" (Surge Remix) *Patife & SUV - "Inta Outa (feat. MC Tali)" *Pixel - "Only Way" featuring Tali 2016 - Mr Funky EP - Fokuz Recordings *

- "Cheeky Monkey (feat. MC Tali & Dynamite MC)" *SMP "Nighthawke" featuring Tali 2020 - Fokuz Recordings *SUV - "Do You Remember Me? (feat. MC Tali)" *Severity Zero - "Tapestry" - Tapestry EP (Fokuz Recordings 2015) *Sanoi "Paradigm Shift EP" 2021 "Vortex featuring Tali and ROWA" * The Freestylers - "This City (feat. Tali)" *Tiki Taane - "Summertime" - 'With Strings Attached' (Alive & Orchestrated) 2014 *Tiki Taane - "Forces Remix" - In Session With The CSO 2023 *TREI - "Rebels" featuring Tali - 2018 - Viper Recordings *TREi - "Homecoming" feat Tali (2012) *Xilent - "Gravity (feat. Tali)" 2011

Compilations

*''Do It for Yourself'' Mixtape, 2007 *''Deep Sound Vol 1'' - DJ SS and Influx UK - New Identity Recordings, 2008 *''Soulside Sessions Vol 1'' - Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G, 2011 *''Soulside Sessions Vol 2'' - Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G, 2012 *''Soulside Sessions Vol 3'' - Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G, 2012 *''Soulside Sessions Vol 4''- Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G, 2013 *''Soulside Sessions Vol 5''- Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G, 2013 *''Soulside Sessions Vol 6'' - Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G, 2014 *''Soulside Sessions Vol 7'' - Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G, 2015 *''Soulside Sessions Vol 8'' - Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G, 2016 *''Soulside Sessions Vol 9'' - Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G, 2017 *''Soulside Sessions Vol 10'' - Free online DnB mix with DJ Emma G, 2020

Awards and nominations

References

External links

*
AudioCulture profileAudio Porn Records official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tali, MC Living people New Zealand women rappers 21st-century New Zealand women singers Drum and bass musicians George FM 1976 births