MC Wheels (aka Nathan) is one of the original Loop community members featuring in our “Can I Ask You A Question” Series, but since then he’s been smashing it in the music space. Nathan, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, is a Sunshine Coast hip-hop artist for over 16 years.

We caught up with him to discuss his music career, inspiration, attitudes towards disability acceptance in the industry and what’s next on the cards.

How did you come to becoming a rapper? How would you describe your style?

Music is a funny one, it was never on my radar. Growing up I always wanted to be a football player, that was where my passion was. And one day a teacher aid of mine at school introduced me to one of his friends who kickstarted my music career. I always liked hip-hop music for the rhythm and percussion and I guess the tough talk. Having something to say and the cool rhyming and wordplay that people were able to do. Along with just the music itself when finding the style and the artist I wanted to be. A lot of inspiration came from artists like Hilltop Hoods, Bliss n Eso, Mantra, Horrorshow, a lot of Australian artists. With very relatable stories that I could resonate with and I thought this was the best way to write. Writing stories that people with disabilities could relate to my situation or take something from it. In their own life and be able to see what I'm doing. And hopefully I could inspire them to go and shoot for their own dream

We love the reference to your disability in your rapper name! Was this a conscious decision? How do you see your disability in terms of your identity both as an artist and a person?

Yeah when coming up with my name it was just a nickname in school. I thought it was just perfect calling myself something embracing what my situation was. I'm also someone who has a wild sense of humour, happy to take the piss out of myself. So if people thought it was clever and funny to call myself something. Where a lot of people might think it's offensive I think that's really cool.

When it comes to my disability I struggled for many years, because I lived in a mind of wanting to be athletic and athlete a professional sports star. Having a body that couldn't do any of that sort of stuff and loving sports was such a hard thing for me to swallow. To give up that dream but you have to take what situation you have in your life and make the best of it. The cards that we are dealt in our life we have to show we're not afraid to play that hand. And with me doing music which was something I didn't see myself doing. I want to show people maybe your dream is somewhere else if you're happy to take a shot.

What barriers have you had to overcome to become a rapper? Too often in the news we hear about inaccessibility, particularly when it comes to venues and that’s just for people attending the concert. We imagine that as an artist there are other hurdles that most people don’t think of too (physical, stereotypes, etc).

Yeah when it comes to being an artist and disabled at the same time. It's a tricky thing because a lot of venues are not accessible for people in wheelchairs. Especially with people who can't get out of those wheelchairs. So when it comes to gigs I have been in the game for quite awhile. I feel like I can be overlooked because of some of the venues that are picked, they can't choose me because I can't access the stage. So when a gig arises I have to put on the best show I possibly can to show what I can do and hopefully I get chosen again for a gig down the line somewhere else I can play at since a lot of venues are very inaccessible.

What inspires your song writing and performances?

When it comes to songwriting what inspires me is whatever I'm feeling. Whether it's happy, angry, sad or wanting to write something positive or a strong message making a statement. It doesn't really matter as there's no real pinpoint thing that inspires songwriting. It's really just all about flow whatever you feel at that time might fuel something. Obviously inspiration can come from being influenced by other people's music, but writing your own stuff is just whatever you're feeling at that current time.

When it comes to performing well you just want to give everything you've got. You want to leave nothing in the tank, you want to show that you've got all the energy. Give people a five star show and hip-hop is very in your face. So if you can give that to the hip-hop heads they're gonna love it

If you could collaborate with any artist in the world (dead or alive), who would it be and why?

If I can collaborate with any artists in music it would definitely be Bliss N Eso. They've been a massive influence on my career. I've had the chance to meet them a fair few times and even support them as the opening act at their Brisbane show on the Circus Under the Stars Tour at the River stage. To do a track with them would be outstanding and a dream come true. They're absolutely humble people and really had a massive impact on the artist I've become.

What has been the highlight of your career so far and what is next on the cards for you?

There's been a lot of highlights in my career. Supporting Bliss N Eso, being the support act to Mantra or playing at Sprung Hip-Hop Festival or releasing three albums. But without a doubt the greatest achievement I've had in my career is being a part of a TV show in 2024 called Headliners on ABC. Where we got to go out and play at the Mundi Mundi bash in Broken Hill in front of 17,000 people. We even got to go back as a supergroup the next year in 2025 and do it all again. Best two years in my life.

Gigs like AbilityFest have assisted in changing the attitude towards people with disability in the arts industry. How do you think it has changed over time and what would you like to see change in the future?

Definitely with events like Ability Fest making moves to showcase people with disabilities can do a lot more. If we are able to showcase more people with disabilities on stage with music arts anything that's creative and see what they can do, it's gonna be an amazing thing. It's about giving more people a shot to achieve dreams along with future people. As well, everyone should have the chance to have a shot at something. If they're willing to put the hard work in they should be given a shot. If we can have more music festivals with disabled artists. More movies and TV shows with disabled actors. Anything like I said that's creative I think it's gonna be wonderful to see.

For the next generation who are thinking of going after their dreams (as a singer/rapper or any other area) what would you say to them?

Go for it, what have you got to lose? We only have one life and we need to make the best of it. If you can show what you're going through which can be quite hard. That it's not holding you back from shooting for a dream. You could inspire other people who aren't even disabled for their own dreams. Obviously it can be hard work and it can take a long time. It also depends on how far you set your goal or your bar. Some things can be harder than others, but you won't know what you can do unless you give it a crack

If people want to support you and your work, where can they go?

If anyone wants to listen to my music or follow any gig updates. My music is on all streaming platforms MC Wheels. Along with Facebook which is just MC Wheels and Instagram is mcwheels94.