Abdul Malik Al Nasir

Abdul Malik Al Nasir (Formally Mark T. Watson) is a British poet and filmmaker of mixed Guyanese and Welsh descent who was born in Liverpool, UK in 1966. After the tragic paralysis of his father (Reginald Wilcox Watson) when he was a child, Malik as he is now known, was taken into local government care. He emerged semi-literate and at 18 yrs old, found himself homeless and moved into a hostel for homeless black youths in Toxteth, Liverpool. A chance meeting in 1984 with the famous poet and civil rights activist the late Gil Scott-Heron changed his life forever. Gil took pity on Malik and took him on tour with the band and became his mentor and father figure right up until Gil died in 2011. Through this remarkable relationship, Gil schooled Malik in all aspects of the entertainment industry, resulting in Malik tour managing Gil and managing one of Gil's mentors - Jalal Mansur Nuriddin (The Last Poets). Gil politicized Malik in the civil rights struggle and much of Malik's poetry encapsulates themes derived from that education. Gil also encouraged Malik to self educate resulting in a BA Hons degree in geography and sociology, a post graduate diploma in social research and a Masters degree in new media production. Malik recorded with both Gil and The Last poets and the tracks are featured on the double album Rhythms of the Diaspora Vol 1 & 2 - By Malik & The O.G's (Malik's live performance group) released on Mentis Records in 2015. Malik's first film production "Word Up" featured both Gil Scott-Heron and Jalal Nuriddin. Malik went on to found a publishing company, a media production company and a record company, specializing in music videos. Malik produced the Hustlers Convention 40th Anniversary concert Live at The Jazz Cafe in London (on Feb 10th 2014) specifically for the film with his company Fore-Word Press. Malik & The O.G's also performed live at the show as the opening act. Malik is Associate Producer for the Hustlers Convention factual documentary and presented much of the Liverpool segment to camera, recounting his personal history with Jalal Nuriddin (aka Lightning Rod) who wrote the Hustlers Convention, (now deemed to be the foundation for modern day Rap and Hip Hop). The film premiered at Doc Fest in Sheffield in 2015 and went on general release through Kaleidoscope on 26th June 2015. Malik chaired the Q & A with the filmmakers and Jalal at the London Premier (ICA) Liverpool screening (FACT) and a special Preston screening (UCLan).