D-Natural

Descending from a family of musicians and creative individuals, Daniyel "D-Natural" Artis began playing various instruments as early as the age of 3 years old. His grandfather, a Pastor, owned a church where a very young Daniyel began teaching himself to play drums, piano, and organ during his summer vacations. He seemed to have a knack for quickly grasping each instrument and playing songs by ear. This is also where his experience of playing in front of various audiences began as well, playing during his grandfather's church services. His uncle was known as one of the best bass players on the underground scene in the Richmond, VA. area. Whenever he could, he would sit and watch his uncle practice to various records, absorbing the techniques. His uncle eventually handed down his basses to him and he was able to sharpen his skills further. His grandfather was also a guitar player and he would be introduced to the guitar this way. Gifted with a sharp ear, he would further teach himself whatever he didn't learn from others by playing to various records. A native of the Washington, DC. area, where his mother, a single parent, worked as a police officer first assigned to the legendary Kennedy Center Theatre, he often accompanied her to work. The theatre became a home away from home, where he was able to see various performances for free hanging around as his mother worked, further adding to his musical knowledge at a very young age. Also he discovered he had a gift for writing, often placing in national school-wide writing contests as early as third grade. He began writing poetry in elementary school which would later evolve into songwriting over his original instrumentals in high school. After selling one his first beats to a manager at the record store he worked at during this time, a burning desire was born in him to become a professional music producer/songwriter. Later, during his time in the U.S. Navy, Daniyel established Artistic Visionz Productions.