Nation Beat

**Nation Beat** is a vibrant, genre-blurring collective that mashes up Brazilian rhythms with New Orleans funk, Afrobeat, and rootsy Americana. Founded by drummer/percussionist Scott Kettner, a Grammy-nominated artist and Maracatu enthusiast, the band bridges cultures by fusing the thunderous carnival beats of Brazil’s Northeast (like *maracatu* and *coco*) with the swagger of Louisiana brass bands and improvisational jazz. Their sound is a joyous, danceable conversation between continents, often featuring collaborations with Brazilian icons like *Mestre Ambrosio* and *Cila do Coco*.

Recent releases like *Archaic Humans* and *Growing Stone* showcase their signature mix of primal percussion, psychedelic grooves, and socially conscious lyricism, while remixes (see: *The Royal Chase*’s reworks) add modern electronic twists. Tracks like *Carnival Caravan* and *Give A Little* channel their live energy—a reputation cemented by electrifying festival sets worldwide. Nation Beat isn’t just a band; it’s a celebration of rhythm as a universal language, always pushing boundaries while honoring tradition.

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