Nate Walka or Nathan L. Walker is a 38-year-old αмєяι¢αn recording artist, songwriter, record producer, and vocal producer based in Atlanta, Georgia. He has won Grammy Awards for several of his works, such as Jamie Foxx's Blame It, Trey Songz's Ready, etc.
Regarding his connection with BTS, Nate Walka was one of BTS's four mentors, including: Tony Jones, Coolio, and Warren G in the show 'American Hustle Life', which aired in 2014. At that time, the newly debuted BTS was "kidnapped" to Los Angeles to learn about the roots of hip hop, which was also one of the first projects that helped shape their signature musical color later on.
On Sunday, April 20, 2025, in an interview on The Frankie Biggz Show, Walka reminisced about his time collaborating with the group during their early debut period. The artist revealed many of his experiences interacting with the K-pop superstar during that time.
Nate Walka shared that he was impressed with the group since the days when they released their album We Are Bulletproof. Therefore, after watching a few videos of the group's music, he became interested and collaborated with the group on the show αмєяι¢αn Hustle Life.
"The first interaction of their Music was “(We are) Bulletproof” and just watching that one video got me onboard to do this", he remembered.
However, he also emphasized that there were many doubts about the group's success in the early years, even, there was a representative of the company in the industry once tried to pull Walka out of that project by saying that BTS was just "an experiment.
Regardless, Walka stated that he was confident in the group and thought that BTS was the most prominent group at that time.
"There were a lot of doubters, thinking they were a filler group. When I watched the BTS video, it became clear that those who were doubting truly didn’t comprehend what music and entertainment are all about. Among everything I had encountered in the K-pop scene, BTS really stood out to me", he constantly expressed his expectations for the young idols at that time who have now become Kpop superstars.
Note that Nate Walka's point of view seems to be quite different from many in the industry. Because at that time, BTS was just a young rookie from a nearly bankrupt company called Big Hit Entertainment.
Meanwhile, the entire Kpop industry is dominated by 3 large companies that fans call "Big 3" including SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment.
It seems that there is no guarantee for BTS's success. But When he directly observed the practice and interacted with the idols, Nate Walka saw their talent, potential and strength.
Nate Walka's sharing made fans support and gratitude. BTS's current success has further strengthened the music legend's strong faith in the group, despite the gossip:
- Amen! And the rest is history. A lot of us saw this and heard it in the very beginning of BTS' career. The sound was coming from the deep treasure trove of hip hop that mere mortals may not be aware of. We heard it. BTS acknowledged & appreciated the source. Respect earned.
- This is what I'm talking about. BTS were influenced, vouched and trained by the black americans for hiphop in their early days and not like those bunch of try hards from other kpop agencies.
- Thanks so much Nate. BTS's success now repays you
- Thanks you for your great support for BTS and thanks you so much for thinking of us
- Here’s one of my favorites. Thanks again Nate for all your support!
- Thanks for the support ... it shows that you really love the guys ... and that's why Army loves you!!!
- You are amazing Nate! Thanks so much for the love and the support
