Norman Howell, known professionally as Notch, was born on May 11, 1975, in Hartford, Connecticut. He is an American singer who grew up in a multicultural neighborhood and learned Spanish due to his Hispanic friends. Notch began his music career as part of the hip-hop/reggae group Born Jamericans. His breakthrough came with the 2001 chart-topper "Nuttin Nuh Go So". In 2007, he released his debut solo album, Raised by the People, which included notable tracks like "Jump Off" and "Layaway Love". Throughout his career, Notch collaborated with various artists including Daddy Yankee, Luny Tunes, Julio Voltio, Baby Ranks, Thievery Corporation, Sublime, Pitbull, T-Weaponz, and Rascalz. In the 2010s–2020s he continued as a writer/performer and catalog artist—his early-2000s hits recurring on streaming remasters and playlists—while guest appearances and live features kept him connected to dancehall, reggae, and Latin crossover audiences.
