Nathaniel S. Hardy Jr.

In 1980, Nathaniel was approached by a childhood friend Thomas Lee Brown, III, and later a junior high school friend Terrance Balfour (after hearing Nathaniel sing in the Gym shower) to front a local band that he started called "Savior Faire". The band was signed to RCA Records with Nathaniel fronting as lead vocalist. Nathaniel and Terrance would later write for artist such as Kurtis Blow, Run-D.M.C., and other rap acts from some contacts that Thomas knew in New York. After less than two years with RCA, the band was dropped by RCA for failing to reach 500,000 units in sales and contract disputes. Nathaniel was able to maintain all rights to his music since he was the only one that did not spend any money, when he was able to give back the advance that the record company had fronted him. In 1981, Nathaniel was introduced to Tony Thompson (who was at the time the drummer for the band Chic) at a party when he suggested he would introduce him to both Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. Nathaniel was then invited to join a number of Chic session recordings with Deborah Harry, Carly Simon, and on Madonna's Like a Virgin album, which was considered a re-united Chic, featuring band members Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers, Tony Thompson, and Robert Sabino; also while in the U.S. Navy he continued to write music with Bobby Brown, Teddy Riley, The Basement Boys, and Crystal Waters. In late 2008, Nathaniel started using the name The Nathaniel Hardy Project.

Nathaniel Sidney Hardy Jr. (born April 19, 1964) is an American musician, composer, and keyboardist. Hardy is known for his contributions as a keyboardist for Chic, and his work with acts such as Run-DMC, Madonna and Crystal Waters.

Hardy was born on April 19, 1964 in Baltimore, Maryland.