Nahko & Medicine For The People

Nahko Bear, born in Portland, Oregon, learned piano at six and guitar at fourteen. He began his musical career busking before forming Nahko and Medicine For The People in 2008. The group combines various musical styles, often categorized as world music or worldbeat. Their lyrics consistently promote social and environmental awareness. Nahko is of Native American, Puerto Rican, and Filipino descent, and his middle name, Nahkohe-ese, translates to “little bear” in the Cheyenne language. He reconnected with his biological mother as an adult, learning about his heritage and family history.

In 2011, Nahko and Medicine For The People released their debut album, ‘On the Verge.’ Their commercial breakthrough occurred in 2013 with ‘Dark As Night,’ which reached the Top Ten on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart. This success led to performances at prominent music festivals such as Outside Lands, Electric Forest, Wanderlust, and Bumbershoot. The band continued to release two more albums, solidifying their reputation as advocates for social and environmental justice. In 2017, Nahko released a solo album titled ‘My Name Is Bear.’

Throughout their career, Nahko and Medicine For The People have toured with artists including Nattali Rize, Rebelution, Michael Franti, Trevor Hall, Dispatch, Xavier Rudd, and SOJA. They regularly appear at alternative music festivals, including the Greenbelt Festival, ARISE Music Festival, and Tour de Fat. Their discography includes several studio albums, live albums, and singles, with ‘Take Your Power Back’ being released in 2020. The band’s consistent message focuses on personal reflection and growth, encouraging individuals to embrace understanding and acceptance, as conveyed in their album ‘Take Your Power Back.’