The 15 Best Indigenous Music Videos of 2014

Indigenous artists continued their takeover of popular culture in 2014. Here are the best Indigenous music videos of the year.

First things first, if you missed our epic selections of the Best Indigenous Music of 2014, you should go read and listen to what we picked. Also check out the Most Slept-On Indigenous Album of the year.

And as though our top albums, EPs, singles and our Best of 2014 Remixtape weren't enough to satiate your hunger for Native artistry, we've also compiled our favourite Indigenous music videos of 2014.

There were many amazing, cinema-sonic moments put on tape this year, but these were the videos that made the deepest, most engaging, and even funniest, impressions on us.

15. Jayli Wolf - "I Don't Remember"

Part of the fifth season of APTN's First Tracks, this is a sibylline dreamscape for a haunting and deceptively simple song by Jayli Wolf  (Métis). Directed by Michelle Latimer, we love getting lost in the video's black and white layering of starry, underwater, earthy and mesmerizing images.

14. Scatter Their Own- "Taste the Time"

"We are only as clean as our water" says Oglala Lakota duo Scatter Their Own. Want to know why Indigenous people are rising up against pipelines through our territories? This is why. An ominous and compelling...er...taste of things to come. That is, unless we change course.

13. Princess Nokia - "Nokia"

Cyber-supernatural 90s vibes abound in this neon and glittery ode to anime, BFFs, Nickelodeon, robotic dogs, and Nokia ringtones, among assorted other shimmering oddities. Flashbackward to bedazzled future beats in this trippy slice of this Taino Princess' world. You'll be hypnotized just like we were.

12. Mic Jordan - "Modern Day Warrior (ft. Real Truth)"

Youthful, exuberant, dedicated to the struggle and dropping hip-hop gems, up-and-comer Mic Jordan holds it down rapping directly about what it means to thrive and survive as a modern day warrior for his people, the Turtle Mountain Chippewa. Now that's what's up. This clip comes from Jordan's slept on album, Sometime After 83, which he dropped earlier this year (and which you should go download for free right now). The struggle lives and breathes in the artistry of talented Native MCs like Mic Jordan. "And damn right / I was built to fight". Tell it!

11. Kinnie Starr ft. Ja$E El Niño - "Save Our Waters"

Mohawk artist Kinnie Starr's not one to be shy in speaking her mind and this ode to protecting coastal waters from intrusive pipeline development finds a perfect counterpart in this collab with Haidawood—a stop motion animation video that works perfectly for the track that CBC called "part indictment, part wake-up call". We are in need of both at this point, and this is a creative and playful way to get the message out. Now let it compel action.

10. Drezus - "Warpath"

Although we're not exactly sold on Mic.com's framing of Indigenous hip-hop as "the most authentic rap we have today" (what is authentic? who is we?), we get what they were trying to say. No one else is bringing together raw talent, creativity and firepower like Native artists. Plains Cree/Saulteaux artist Drezus doesn't mix words or mess around and on this Stuey Kubrick-directed clip, he reps for the people—painted up, fire burning, singers around the drum, wild horses running slow mo, and surrounded by his fam and relations. That's power. Watch it all the way to the end for a special appearance by Beau Dick, master carver and hereditary chief of the Namgis First Nation, making that west coast warrior connect.

9. Angel Haze - "A Tribe Called Red"

Two of our favourite artists joined forces this year and the results exceeded our expectations. Although a lyric video for this tune was released a while back, this official video for Cherokee singer/MC Angel Haze's collab with A Tribe Called Red brings that ultra-crisp, black and white, leather-clad, dialed aesthetic we were hoping for. You want some more? Good luck competing with Angel Haze's "deity swag and omnipotent style".

8. Radical Son - "Human Behaviour"

When minimalism works, it really works. Keeping with that vibe, Kamilaroi artist Radical Son's video for his soulful tune "Human Behaviour" works with opaque spaces, blending deep, dark blacks and fading whites and greys, and using its stripped down visual spectrum to pull the gravity of the song's deep reggae groove out from the depths. Dope.

7. Sacramento Knoxx ft. DJ Dez - "The Trees Will Grow Again"

Community organizer, activist, MC, hip-hop producer and micro-documentary maker, Anishinaabe/Xicano artist Sacramento Knoxx is a man of many talents. This joint brings it all together with a dope visual delivery of rugged anti-imperialist politics, BDS empowerment, and raw hip-hop talent. That, plus the proceeds of the track go to benefiting youth and community. Knoxx is elevating the game and bringing power back to the people. The RaizUp is right. Represent.

6. Cree Nation Artists (Chisasibi Community) - "I Believe"

Ok, this one is pretty amazing. Hip-hop artist/producer and educator David Hodges has been working with the Cree Nation Government on a community-based music project called "N'we Jinan". Travelling throughout Cree communities in Quebec, Hodges set up a mobile studio, created music with youth and, in the process, produced a 19-song album that just went to Number 1 on iTunes in Canada. "I Believe" is the first single from the album—and it's an inspiring showcase of rising youth talent and empowerment. Raise it up for the next generation celebrating "culture, language and love". These are the voices we'll be listening for.

5. Greg Grey Cloud Storms the U.S. Senate with Honor Song After Keystone XL Vote

When the U.S. Senate votes to reject the Keystone XL pipeline by one vote, ONE VOTE, what else are you going to do but sing an honour song until they kick you out of there? Well, that's exactly what Crow Creek Sioux member Greg Grey Cloud did. You want to restore order Elizabeth Warren? Join Greg in "honouring the leaders who stood up for the people". Respect!

4. A Tribe Called Red - "Sisters (ft. Northern Voice)"

It's hard not to get behind a video that features a song we love, made by a crew the entire Native community loves, featuring Natives we recognize, and basically depicting exactly how it feels to get down to Mohawk/Cayuga/Anishinaabe crew A Tribe Called Red's music. Of course it's a party. Of course we're dancing in our bedrooms, in the convenience store, at the club, and in the car. Oh and course we have fireworks, colour smoke bomb things, and a Mohawk Warrior flag flying as we roll down a winter highway with the sunroof rolled back, the windows rolled down, and ATCR on blast in the system. You know we're all headed to the same Electric Powwow night anyways. See you on the dancefloor, relations.

3. Supaman - "Prayer Loop Song" 

Just another day in the life of your average beatboxing, freestyling, regalia wearing, powwow and b-boy fancy dancing, flute playing, drum beating, record scratching, loop-making, Crow Nation hip-hop SUPAMAN. They don't call him that for nothing, you know. Mad mad skills. Watch and learn.

2. Rebel Music - "Native America"

When we found out Rebel Music were debuting their Season 2 premiere, "Native America", as a Facebook-only video stream, we were all "Really guys? Facebook only?". But then we remembered how much NDNs lovvvvvvve Facebook—and how amazing the "Native America" episode is—and we realized this was actually a pretty brilliant strategy. The episode became a rallying cry for Native people across Turtle Island: it was viewed more than 2 million times in its first week (at last count it was approaching 4.5 Million views and still climbing). Needless to say, many tears of joy and shouts of Native Pride were shared (check the FB comments) as we watched ourselves and our community being represented for how we really are: vibrant, creative, alive and thriving in the midst of all the insanity! So special shout outs to Frank Waln, Inez Jasper, Nataanii Means and Mike Cliff for representing their nations—and all of our people—in a good way. Rebel Music: Native America reminded us that everyday is a great day to be Indigenous.

1. 1491s - "Cherokee"

There's no way this wasn't making the cut. Let's face it. With what we're up against, collectively, we all need more humour in our lives. And, according to the Dine/Dakota/Osage/Seminole/Creek comedy crew the 1491s, we all need more Europe in our lives too. The band, that is, not the continent. The 1491s have made a lot of amazing videos over the years, but this one is such an incredible parody of the 1986 hit, there's just no way the original can compete anymore. And that's saying something, because have you seen the original?? All we can say is MOAR. More of this please. More Turdle Island, more NAMMY GOLD, more HBC blanket antics, more decolonizing Europe, and more of whatever the hell Ryan Red Corn is doing. A newly indigenized modern hair metal classic. Aho!

DOWNLOAD: Enter-Tribal - "Native Cypher"

Taking it back while moving it forward, this quartet of Indigenous MCs steps up and rocks a classic beat in the first of a new series they call the Native Cypher.

Flexing their verbal versatility and lyrical skills, Chief Rock, Beka Solo, JB the First Lady, and Heebz the Earthchild from Mob Bounce, combine to drop some science over the East Flatbush Project hip-hop classic instrumental "Tried by 12".

Looking foward to seeing what's next up in the Native Cypher. Now kick back and enjoy the ride.

DOWNLOAD: Enter-Tribal - "Native Cypher"

The Best Indigenous Music of 2013

2013 was a very good year for Indigenous music. Here are our favourite reasons why it's an incredible time to tune in. We're still here—and we're still making amazing music.

Look around you: from the front pages of websites, magazines and the news, to the halls of art galleries, centre stages, and dancefloors, clubs, festivals and playlists, Indigenous artists are at the forefront of almost every form of art and culture. And although we love all kinds of creative expression at RPM, this is a particularly inspiring time for Indigenous music.

In a year that began with the sound of the drum, and in the #RoundDanceRevolution that followed, our music has continued to keep us in time and on beat as the world marches ahead—with our people leading the charge.

As we spin back around for #Revolution2 here at RPM, we asked our Indigenous community to weigh in with their picks for the Best Indigenous Music of 2013.

Mohawk radio host, writer and artist Janet Rogers always knows what's up. At the top of her best album list is Derek Miller's Blues Vol. 1. Why? "Hot, rough, sexy, blues." Other top album picks from Janet are The Johnnys' Rock - "A generous offering of the Thinking Man’s Metal Music" and Patrica Cano, Songs from Tomson Highway’s the (post) Mistress, for her "sultry vocals with perfect pitch."

Anishinaabe broadcast journalist and writer Waubgeshig Rice just posted his Top 10 albums of the year, which includes the doomcore metal grind of Biipiigwan's Something for Everyone; Nothing for Anyone, and Leonard Sumner’s Rez Poetry, which Rice praised as "a riveting portrayal of the unique struggles and triumphs of Anishinaabe people. It’s the album I’ve been waiting my whole life to hear."

The other Wab (Wabanakwut Kinew, that is), also picked Sumner's Rez Poetry along with Inez Jasper, Winnipeg Boyz, and powwow group North Bear as some of his favourites. Anishinaabe musician, scholar and organizer Melody McKiver listed some interesting additions, including Northern Voice's "Dance of the Moon" and shouted-out the Aboriginal 'Australian' MC K-Otic One's righteous hip-hop compilation the "Idle No More (Invasion Day)" mixtape.

Indigenous Waves radio host Susan Blight echoed many of our choices, and also shouted-out the latest from Quese IMC "Handdrum" for bringing "it all back to the roots; the importance of the sacred fire, the ceremonies, and the sound of the drum" and a unique collab between Just Jamaal and Lena Recollet "What's It All About" that was "released in solidarity with Idle No More--referencing broken treaties, environmental racism, and issuing a call for resistance all over slick production from Hyf the GypsySun".

And, of course, a certain Polaris Prize-nominated Indigenous crew seemed to pop up everywhere we turned and at the very top of everyone's 'Best of' list. But more on that later.

Shout-outs to these stellar releases:

K-otic 1 - "Idle No More Invasion Day Mixtape" PozLyrix - "Chicago Native" Impossible Nothing - "Alchemy" Derek Miller - "Blues, Vol. 1" Tara Williamson - "Lie Low" Rebel Diaz - "Radical Dilemma" The Johnnys - "Rock" Inez Jasper - "Burn Me Down" Kinnie Starr - "Kiss It" Eden Fine day - "Things Get Better" Fawn and Dallas - "Blessings"

The Top 10 Indigenous Albums of 2013

STREAM OUR BEST INDIGENOUS MUSIC OF 2013 PLAYLIST BELOW

10. Frank Waln - "Born Ready EP"

Ascending to the hip-hop pedestal with a calm, collected confidence and wisdom beyond his years, Lakota MC Frank Waln turned the heads of almost everyone this fall when he dropped the powerhouse video for his NDN rap anthem "AbOriginal". With its massive "when I rise / you rise" hook, overflowing lyrical pride, and his obvious love for his people and nation, Waln brought some much-needed realness and a refreshing dose of youthful warriorism back into the Indigenous hip-hop game. Oh and The 1491s' Dallas Goldtooth directed a video for him. And did we mention that Waln composed, recorded and mixed all the tracks himself? And that he writes honorific rap dedications to his mother and grandmother? Yeah, good luck to the rest of you. Frank Waln is walking the talk. And raising the bar. Listen/download: http://frankwaln47.bandcamp.com/album/born-ready-ep

9. Cris Derksen - "The Collapse"

A now-ubiquitous fixture on the contemporary Indigenous music scene, Métis musician Cris Derksen's soaring cello melodies and effects-laden staccato bursts, beats and wailing cries, are a haunting, soaring, cinematic soundtrack to our peoples' burgeoning resurgence that give you chills and the increasing sense of possibility that so much is yet to come... Highly recommended. Listen/Download: http://crisderksen.virb.com/the-collapse

8. Kristi Lane Sinclair - "The Sea Alone"

Speaking of Cris Derksen, you can hear her cello stylings on Haida singer Kristi Lane Sinclair's latest grunge-folk album that, as its title invites, carries you across waves of solitude, heartache, reflection, fierceness and vulnerability.  Kristi’s voice ranges from a low growl to a sultry spell (including one of the best musical deliveries of the f-bomb in recent memory) and her style is not for the faint of heart, which is to say there is a frankness, darkness and richness on The Sea Alone that pulls you deeper into her world with each listen. Dive in. Listen/Download: http://kristilanesinclair.bandcamp.com/

7. Shining Soul - “Sonic Smash”

Shining Soul burst onto our playlists with their commanding album Sonic Smash just in time to make an appearance on the #NationHood Mixtape with their lead-off single "Get Up". But the whole album goes deep with soulful hip-hop anthems that strike back against oppression wherever they find it and find root in the strength and vitality of their creative expression. Listen/download:  http://shiningsoulmusic.bandcamp.com/album/sonic-smash

6. Tall Paul - “Birthday Present EP”

The remarkably consistent Anishinaabe MC from the Twin Cities, Tall Paul, keeps up his stellar record of releases with a head-knocking EP of assured, intelligent hip-hop that made its place on the list just for the standout storytelling track, "Taurus the Bull" (ft. $kywalker). The rest of the record rocks too. This is everyday rap responding to the real highs and lows of trying to survive and thrive in the game. And judging by the sounds of it, the struggle is in good hands. Tall Paul's got bars and keeps it moving, one beat at a time. Listen/Download: http://tallpaul612.bandcamp.com/album/birthday-present

5. City Natives - “4 Kingz”

The dynamic mic skills and boom bap-inflected east coast production of rising hip-hop stars City Natives bangs all the way through. Barely a year into their collaboration as a crew, City Natives brings together the multi-talented forces of Beaatz, IllFundz, Gearl, and BnE, like a young Native rap Voltron. Featuring incredible beat production from Juliano, the pass and trade flows of this crew sounds hungry for respect, recognition, and social change in equal parts. If this is just the beginning, there's no limit to where things can go from here. Listen/Download: http://citynatives.bandcamp.com/album/city-natives-4-kingz

4. Leonard Sumner - "Rez Poetry"

Speaking of realness, you just can't get around the raw authenticity of Anishinaabe singer-songwriter Leonard Sumner. Landing right near the top of almost everyone's year-end list, Rez Poetry, offers a clear-eyed personal take on choices and consequences, struggles and love, and the complexities of contemporary Indigenous life—all spun through Sumner's unique brand of Native roots music that is deeply infused with acoustic guitar hymns, hip-hop rhythms and cadences, and just enough country and rhythm & blues to rep the urban, rez, and everywhere-in-between Indians with equal power. Tune in, kick back, and dream of that open, prairie sky. Listen/download: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/leonardsumner

3. Leanne Simpson - "Islands of Decolonial Love"

Bridging many worlds, storylines, generations, and forms of creativity with effortless poetics and heartbreaking, deceptive simplicity, Leanne Simpson was the only Anishinaabekwe that we know of who dropped a full-volume of published stories and poetry in tandem with a collaboratively composed album of the same, set to the expansive sonics of many of Indian Country's rising stars (including Tara Williamson, Cris Derksen, A Tribe Called Red, and Melody McKiver). Halfway between story, song, and verse, Simpson's poems flow through you like long-forgotten dreams suddenly remembered. Inspiring, strong and swift, these are the currents of sound that surround each island of decolonial love. All that, and it's available digitally and as a beautifully bright orange analog cassette release. So go dig up that tape player from the basement and rewind into Simpson's hypnotic spell. Listen/download: http://arpbooks.org/islands/

2. Samantha Crain - "Kid Face"

Choctaw singer Samantha Crain is three albums deep, at twenty-seven years young, and her music already echoes and twists through generations of greatness. With her urgent, accomplished and irresistible craft on its finest display to date, Kid Face offers up Crain's melancholy-infused melodic brand of Americana with a suite of songs that navigate pain, love, loss and growth with an aching resonance of unvarnished truth. Samantha Crain is the real deal. The rest are just pale imitations. Listen/download: http://thelineofbestfit.com/new-music/album-stream/samantha-crain-kid-face-album-sampler-premiere-142954

1. A Tribe Called Red - “Nation II Nation”

What other praise can be given to our brothers from ATCR that hasn't already been said? Since dropping their plaintive instrumental "The Road" exactly one year ago today, in honour of Chief Theresa Spence and the Idle No More movement, A Tribe Called Red has continued their stratospheric rise from the booming dancefloors of the electric pow-wow to the forefront of the world's musical consciousness. Seemingly overturning every false colonial conception about being Indian in the 21st century with each kinetic set of party-rocking, this three DJ crew blows the roof off everywhere they go, while always reppin' for the people. With their second full-length album, Nation II Nation, ATCR single-handedly dropped the revolutionary soundtrack that we all knew we needed, while elevating and expanding the possibilities of contemporary Indigenous music culture and pushing their electronic/Indigenous aesthetic hybrid forms to new heights and levels of power. Raise your fist up and get ready. The Tribe stands with us—as we rise together. Listen/Download: http://noisey.vice.com/blog/listen-to-a-tribe-called-reds-new-record-nation-ii-nation

 STREAM: The Best Indigenous Music of 2013

A Tribe Called Red Calls the Shots

These days, it's hard to keep track of one of Indian Country's favourite contemporary electronic music producers A Tribe Called Red as they take leaps forward into renown and reputation. They've just released a new video, announced summer tour dates, and are celebrating one of their member'sThre3Style.

[UPDATE] Who knew when we published this story this morning that when today's Polaris Prize long list nominees were announced, A Tribe Called Red would be among them! Congrats fellas - the recognition is well deserved. - Editor

Yes, Cayuga DJ Shub has recently earned the reputation of Canada's top party rocker, according to Redbull Thre3Style - a title won in Halifax late last month. DJ Shub also won the top spot at the DMC DJ Battle in 2008, becoming the first Aboriginal DJ to win the DMC Battle. I think the author speaks for Indian Country when he says, bigups Shub - keep killing it! To quote a Justice vs. Simian track, "We, are, your friends! You'll never be alone again!"

Aside from pioneering the Aboriginal Canadian electronic music scene and establishing the presence of Indigenous players as a serious force in the game, A Tribe Called Red has been busy. Bear Witness has been creating a series of videos set to Tribe's music which acts as a commentary on myths and misconceptions regarding today's Canadian, "post-colonial" identity, unveiling both truths and untruths through visual art. Media artists like Bear Witness are an emerging breed and hold a unique talent to be watched closely in the near future. As this exciting field evolves, its people motivated to push like Bear that are evolving it.

Busy is good, because busy means you'll have a chance to see A Tribe Called Red on tour with electronic music favorite Javier Estrada in a town near you. Check these dates including the Winnipeg Jazz Festival below, and don't forget to watch Bear Witness's latest video, part 1 of the Javier Estrada Trilogy, Soprano Azteca.

June 19 Winnipeg – Winnipeg Jazz Festival June 21 Edmonton – The Works Festival June 22 Ottawa – Special Event June 23 Peterborough – Ode’min Giizis Festival June 29 Montreal - Parc Jean Drapeau June 30 Toronto - Hard Rock Café July 01 Gatineau - Piknik Electronik July 08 Ottawa – RBC Ottawa Bluesfest Aug 03 Montreal – Presence Autochtone Aug 10 Toronto - Planet Indigenous

Kudos to these guys for staying in touch with, and contributing to contemporary narratives about #decolonization and Indigenous rights while pushing the electronic music scene through thoughtful fusions and modern dance floor remix revelations - but mostly for still managing to have fun while they do it:

Cab ride wind breaker fun. With @djshubinstagr.am/p/LiWPm-M2_6/

— Dee Jay NDN (@deejayndn) June 6, 2012

Download: Chief Rock - "Smoke Dance Hip Hop Remix"

Sino General aka Chief Rock really brought the remix to this one.

Cayuga Nation electronic artist Chief Rock,  a member of the Haudenosaunee of Six Nations,  has been living and working in Vancouver for the last two years, during which time he's been able to finish tracks like the one below. It's a remix of the traditional Mohawk Smoke Dance; an upbeat and bass-driven remix of an already powerful powwow song.

Chief Rock grew up performing - shortly after high school he joined the Kanata Native Dance Theater and then later the internationally renowned Red Thunder dance group, while maintaining an interest in BBoying. Chief Rock has also danced in music videos, including Susan Aglukhark's One Hand Turns Another. It's been this blend of contemporary flair and traditional knowledge that's led Rock to create remixes like the one below. Cop it!

Download: Chief Rock - "Smoke Dance Hip Hop Remix"

New Indigenous Music Releases - March 2012

There's new music being made every moment, and here are the three newest releases from Indigenous artists for the month of March!

The debut full-length album from A Tribe Called Red has been long awaited and much anticipated to say the least. Released this week as a free download, the purveyors of "pow wow step" flex their creativity through the diverse musical landscapes of hip-hop, dancehall, moombahton and electronic styles. If you don't have it already, get their self-titled album here:

This month saw another debut from newcomer Ali Baby - who RPM profiled last month in DJ DoezIt and Ali Baby: Native Rap in High School Hallways. As Mixed Breed, Ali Baby with Chino, Annalex and Lil Shugz, have released The Beginning a mix of rap, r&b, hip-hop, rock and country. It is also a free download! Go get it here: facebook.com/mixedbreedmusic.

Last but not least, a very exciting release from Delmore Recordings is a recently unearthed recording by Karen Dalton. 1966  features Karen solo on banjo and guitar, plus four duets with Richard Tucker. The recordings are intimate, unfiltered and stirring. You can get 1966 digitally, on CD or vinyl at delmorerecordings.com.

Listen to Reason to Believe, by Karen Dalton from 1966:

RPM Podcast #010: "Electric Pow Wow"

Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island have been dancing and drumming for generations but, in the 21st century, that rhythmic spirit is finding new forms of creative expression. In our tenth episode, the powwow gets plugged in, mashed up and remixed.

Our host Ostwelve asks three emerging Indigenous artists about their use and creation of electronic music.

A Tribe Called Red - the Ottawa-based DJ collective of NDN (Nipissing First Nation), Bear Witness (Cayuga) and Shub (Cayuga) - describe what they're doing in the clubs as a cultural continuence from the powwow, and that the two are not that far apart after all.

Using small digital electronics, Cree electro-cellist Cris Derksen can make her cello sound like a bass, a drum, or even seagulls. Hear how she's creating a new palette for the usually classical instrument and how being a musician is like being a jeweler.

Nicholas Galanin, aka Indian Nick, a Tlingit/Aleut visual artist and musician from Stika Alaska, likens contemporary Indigenous electronic music to our history as strong adaptive communities and cultures, and finds the mixing of electronic with other forms of music comes naturally.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, this revolution has been electrified.

DOWNLOAD: RPM Podcast #010: "Electric Pow Wow"

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The RPM podcast is produced & engineered by the amazing Paolo Pietropaolo.

Photo illustration created by the talented Joi Arcand.

VIDEO: JB The First Lady - "If You Want It You Got It"

New video from Nuxalk/Cayuga femcee JB The First Lady produced by Hannah C Productions for her track If You Want It You Got It.

JB The First Lady is back at it again with another video, this time for her track If You Want It You Got It. Produced by Hannah C Productions, this video features Nuxalk Nation adoptees Dani and Lizzy. Another great video from JB The First Lady and Hannah C Productions, who also produced videos for Kinnie Starr.

DOWNLOAD: A Tribe Called Red - "Moombah Hip Moombah Hop EP"

A Tribe Called Red released a new EP entitled Moombah Hip Moombah Hop that takes classic hip-hop on a spin through the style of Moombahton ...and it's available for a free download. The ever-deadly and prolific A Tribe Called Red out of Ottawa, practice the art of giving with this free download of a five song EP entitled Moombah Hip Moombah Hop that mashes up some classic golden-era hip-hop with the dance grooves of Moombahton. Fresh off their country wide A Tribe Called Two Toes Tour with comedian Ryan McMahon, they've released this EP with very little time to even unpack their suitcases .

To download Moombah Hip Moombah Hop by A Tribe Called Red, visit this link at Megaupload.com 

Track list:

Don't Sweat The Technique - Eric B & Rakim (ATCR Remix) Fakin' The Funk - Main Source (ATCR Remix) Public Enemy vs Congo Rock (ATCR Remash) Metropolis - A Tribe Called Red Tequila - The Champs (ATCR Remix)

VIDEO: RPM Talks With A Tribe Called Red

RPM got a chance to interview A Tribe Called Red during their visit to Vancouver for the New Forms Festival.

Vancouver was also the kick-off for the A Tribe Called Two Toes Tour with Clarence Two Toes aka Ryan McMahon in September, 2011.

RPM was lucky enough to get a video interview with Deejay NDN, DJ Shub and DJ Bear Witness, aka A Tribe Called Red, before they left for Alberta on the next leg of their tour.

ATCR talks about being at the forefront of an electronic music movement as well offers some advice for young artists trying to break into the world of Indigenous music culture.

Six Indigenous Music Video Blogs To Check Out

Here's a list of six Indigenous music Video Blogs available on the web for your viewing pleasure.

Video blogs or 'v-logs' have been around for a few years and as the popularity of video platforms like YouTube and Vimeo grow, artists and regular people alike have this medium of v-logging to express themselves.

More and more indigenous music artists are making v-log entries for their networks and video channels. Artists such as Wab Kinew, Inez, Kinnie Starr, Don Amero, Kasp and now JB The First Lady are all using this new form of media to keep content fresh and express themselves in a digital format.

Wab Kinew chooses to use his v-log for an experience of cultural education with his "Anishinaabemowin Word of the Day" series on his YouTube channel entitled anishinabemowin.

Inez's v-log brings you updates from on the road and also some family moments at home on her YouTube v-log series InezTV on her channel InezMusic.

Kinnie Starr's series of v-logs is more based on comedy with her "The Hardest Part About Being On Tour" series of videos, which are about the stresses of being a touring musician on her YouTube channel MusicKinnieStarr.

Don Amero's v-logs are more informational to his fan base with personal updates and promotion as well as his newest addition, a version of the MTV show Cribs, where he showcases his own digs in a fun video on his YouTube channel Donamero.

Kasp has one of the more populated v-log series covering promotions and news from on the road featured on his YouTube channel named kiqwilly.

And the latest Indigenous musician to hit us up with a v-log is JB The First Lady with her series debut entitled "Bathroom Diaries". In her first instalments she introduces her v-log series and features her friend Crystal J for a beatbox backed cover of an India Arie track on her YouTube channel jbthefirstlady.

Don Amero's Crib:

Got a V-log you want to share with us?  Or do you know of an Indigenous music v-log you love? Comment below and share! 

RPM.fm, VIMAF & W2 Media Cafe Present: Ryan McMahon & A Tribe Called Red In Vancouver

This past weekend RPM.fm had the honour to present a performance by Ryan McMahon with special guests A Tribe Called Red at the W2 Media Cafe as a fundraiser for the Vancouver Indigenous Media Arts Festival.

Earlier this month we were approached to help find a venue to host a show with Ryan McMahon out here in Vancouver. It just so happened that Ottawa super group, A Tribe Called Red, were also slated to be in town. Naturally an amazing community space came to mind, the W2 Media Cafe, which is always a great place for these kinds of events. The venue is run by promoter and community activist, Irwin Oostindie.

The opportunity to have these greats acts here was something I couldn’t resist. Vancouver has a wide variety of music shows coming in and out of town regularly, but it is not as frequent a case for Indigenous music and comedy acts to showcase their artistry in an accessible venue. With no budget and MUCH help from the staff at W2, we were able to present an intimate show to the community.

Ryan McMahon, the Ojibwe comedian taking the internet by storm, started his journey on Friday with his drive out to Vancouver from Winnipeg - no easy task for one person. A Tribe Called Red brought their unique styling of Electric Powwow music to the masses at the New Forms Festival held at the Waldorf in Vancouver on September 10th to a packed house and rave reviews.

The crew at W2 were working hard all weekend with their media coverage of the New Forms Festival and tying up the last details to get put this show together. Using their new facilities upstairs from the Media Cafe at W2, a cafe/lounge and a great sound system were set up, and all things were go for 8pm.

Hosted by Ostwelve, the show began with an opening comedy act, Sliammon First Nation comedian Cliff Paul, who displayed a great set of jokes to warm up the crowd.  Ryan McMahon’s set followed and  opened with a recording session of his new podcast show, Red Man Laughing, for which he interviewed A Tribe Called Red before they gave the crowd a small dose of their music.

Ryan McMahon didn’t fail to deliver as he told us a story about how he saw an exploding elk on the highway en route to Vancouver, which he described as both “very sad and totally awesome”. After a 45 minute set, Ryan stepped off stage for a bit while the crowd got an intermission from the late summer heat before coming back out as his alter ego Clarence Two Toes, garnering the laughs that Clarence always does.

Closing the evening was a very special performance by A Tribe Called Red. As the legends have stated, they bring to the stage an amazingly high-energy show, lacing their sounds of Powwow-step music with Moombahton rhythms that had everyone out of their seats and moving their moccasins.

RPM.fm is honoured to bring this show to the community and very thankful to the people at W2 Media Cafe, Vancouver Indigenous Media Arts Festival, A Tribe Called Red, Ryan McMahon and everyone who came out to support this event.

Be on the lookout for our announcement of RPM.fm’s Official Launch Party in Vancouver coming soon!