SPOTLIGHT: Aztlan Underground

The conscious, Indigenous, rock-infused, hip-hop music of Aztlan Underground is still bringing musical medicine to audiences after more than two decades.

An institution in their own right, Aztlan Underground has been instrumental in influencing a new generation of musicians and free-thinkers. Their work within the community proves their dedication to their word, work and statement as a real, conscious, intellectual musical movement in this world of fashion, commercialism and industry standards for the last two decades.

Aztlan Underground has played with amazing conscious groups like Dead Prez and Rage Against the Machine and continue to rock crowds and communities around the country and globe. With songs like the anthem "My Blood is Red" and "Decolonize", Aztlan Underground smashes through the expectations of what a rock band should be and keeps their self-determination on the frontline of their tools for conscious expression.

Their sound comes from a mesh of different musical backgrounds mostly reigning from the Punk and Thrash metal scene in Los Angeles. Mixed with some Hiphop and Traditional instruments, they have achieved an unforgettable sound that keeps everyone on edge til the last song is played and the eagle down settles.

Growing up within poverty and a violent society, Aztlan Underground has turned these societal ills around and projected this energy into a form of music and collective movement that has reached out to Indigenous people around the world. Using elements of their own culture like the traditional instruments and native language of Nahuatl, their music and philosophies have become the theme music of a generation and fuel to a fire of freedom and expression.

If you're on the path to decolonization and self-determination, Aztlan Underground is a definite must for your playlists. They will make you rethink, reframe then repatriate your eardrums and pledge allegiance to the ancestors and musical spirits for the coming of such a group.

To see more about Aztlan Underground check out the links below:

Aztlan Underground Website

Aztlan Underground's YouTube channel

VIDEO: Samian feat. Shauit - "So Much"

Algonquin French rap and Innu Montagnais singing reggae...IN CUBA?!

Yes indeed—straight of Pikogan, in the Québec region of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Algonquin MC Samian brings his Indigenous or Autochtonous sound, a fresh edge and high-quality video production to his hip-hop style.

Partnered with Shauit, an Innu reggae singer from the native reserve Maliotenam, a few miles from Sept-Îles on the North Shore of Quebec, Samian brings you another captivating video—this one filmed on location in beautiful Cuba.

The song "So Much" is the latest single from Samian's album Face à la Musique, mends Samian's razor sharp hip-hop stylings with Shauit's reggae chops in a colourful and much needed change in scenery for Indigenous Hiphop.

Released in early June, this video should warm you up to the new summer heat now radiating out of the Northeast Coast.

Samian can be found on his label's website 7ième Ciel Records as well as the label's YouTube Channel.

Is Derek Miller Hosting a New TV Show?

I came across this clip from Big Soul Productions - "the opener to the Guilt Free Zone featuring Derek Miller". According to Derek's Facebook page "the GFZ party took place at the Gladstone on May 31st in Toronto", but my research for further information had left me empty handed.

Watching this, it looks like Derek Miller will be hosting a show with familiar faces from the Indigenous arts scene. Would it be a one-off special? Or could Derek have a series to call his own? When do we get to see it?

Gratefully, Indian Country Today got a hold of Derek and asked him those very questions.

The answer: “We’re not really sure what it is at the moment".

Well. Apparently the antics may have been a little too risqué to consider for broadcast (oh my!). For now they are working on packaging it as a one-off, for television or perhaps webcast.  It sounds like the event was quite a party - Adam Beach made a guest appearance and in addition to performances by Digging Roots and Joey Stylez, Derek himself closed the night with a 2-hour set of his music.

The live performance footage would be fantastic to see, but until the project does find a home, enjoy watching this Mohawk's downtown Toronto antics.

On the Radar: Up & Coming Indigenous Artists

Here's a look at some up & coming young Indigenous musicians on the RPM Radar.

Beaatz Tobique First Nation, New Brunswick Canada

Shelby “Beaatz” Sappier is a 19-year-old rapper  and hip-hop producer from the Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick, Canada.  When his music came across our desks, we were amazed to find such a stylish, bumping and professional style from such a young artist. Be on the look out for his new stuff and check out his music below:

Beaatz on YouTube Beaatz on Myspace

Sonia Eidse Métis

Métis artist Sonia Eidse out of Winnipeg is a singer-songwriter emerging onto the scene with a smooth and calming sound that immediately draws you in. She recently appeared on the APTN program Rising Stars, which featured some of the newest Indigenous musicians in the scene.  She is currently working on her first EP release and performing live shows around Winnipeg.

Sonia Eidse Manitoba Music Profile Sonia Eidse on APTN Rising Stars

Lil’ Pappy Métis

Lil’ Pappy is making a huge splash onto the scene with his driving pop sound.  Mastering a number of instruments including piano, electric guitar, slide guitar, harmonica, ukulele, synthesizer, organ, xylophone and banjo by the young age of 16 and exploring multiple music genres has served his music well. He has opened for the likes of Robin Black and Marianas Trench and climbed the ranks of the top 50 on Canadian Idol. Lil’ Pappie is definitely someone to watch out for. For more info see the links below and here's a preview of his Weezy-influenced latest:

Lil’ Pappie on Stressedstreet Lil’ Pappie on YouTube

Samantha Crain Shawnee

Out of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Choctaw singer Samantha Crain’s acoustic musical style has been taking her around the festival circuits and making a huge impression on the music scene. With some cowboy boots and a guitar, she has made her way into the collective roots musical conscience with her compelling songs, haunting melodies and great videos. Be on the lookout for Samantha Crain and her band Frontier Ruckus in Canada this summer. She will be performing in July for the Winnipeg Folk Festival and at the Vancouver Folk Festival.

Samantha Crain’s Website

Dey & Nite Arapaho

Identical twins from New Mexico, Dey & Nite are a fast-rising pop/R&B duo touring across Turtle Island to share their style and talent with crowds across Canada and the U.S. The twins have sung back-up for Paula Deanda, shared the stage with acts like Soulja Boy and Baby Bash and most recently toured Australia Mexico and Brazil singing back-up for Hilary Duff. These two amazing singers are a pop act you should definitely watch out for. Check out their a cappella rendition of the Bill Withers classic "Ain't No Sunshine":

Dey & Nite's Website

Stay tuned for more Indigenous music artists on the RPM radar.

Who's on your radar for Indigenous Music Culture? Check out our Get Involved section and Suggest an Artist

Happy B'Day Canada from Clarence Two Toes

This isn't your average Indigenous rendition of Canada's national anthem. Clarence Two Toes cuts straight to the heart of what it means to be an Indian in Canada as the country celebrates its home on Native land.

"D'you think maybe Will and Kate will come to the reserve and see the...end product?"

#FrybreadFriday: Helen Makes Zaasakokwaan

This week's #FrybreadFriday features the delightful Ojibwe Helen Roy, laughing and singing her way through making her frybread recipe.

From Manitoulin Island, Helen is an Ojibwe language teacher at Michigan State University, singer, translator, author, and, as seen here, bannock maker. She's amazing!

Yum.

p.s. Zaasakokwaan: Ojibwe for frybread.

SPOTLIGHT: Jesse Ed Davis, Kiowa Guitar Legend

Kiowa Guitarist Jesse Ed Davis Lives on as a Legend of Guitar Music. Here is a look at his life, music, and legacy.

Jesse Ed Davis was born September 21, 1944 in Norman, Oklahoma to a Muscogee Creek/Seminole Father and a Kiowa mother.  Beginning his career in Oklahoma city, he later moved on to be one of the most revered sessional guitarists in the history of Blues and Rock music.

After leaving the University of Oklahoma in 1960, Davis began touring with country legend Conway Twitty. He then moved to California where he connected with Taj Mahal to play guitar and piano on Taj's first 3 albums where his versatility allowed him to play many styles including blues, rock, country and jazz. After that he moved on to work with John Lennon and George Harrison for several of their solo album projects.

Other artists Davis played guitar for include Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Leonard Cohen, Keith Moon, Jackson Browne, Steve Miller, Harry Nilsson and Van Dyke Parks just to name a few. Also Jesse played with American Indian activist and poet John Trudell in the collective called the Graffiti Band.

Jesse Ed Davis passed away on June 22, 1988 after collapsing in a laundry room in Venice, California at the age of 43. His death was attributed to a heroin overdose.

His impact on music lives on through this style and influence he had on the sound of music in his time.

Here is one of his songs called "Keep Me Comin" released in 1973.

Tall Paul: Interview with Anishinaabe Rapper

Anishinaabe rapper Tall Paul came across the RPM Radar last week via a Colorlines post on Midwest Rappers Showing Love for Their Indigenous Ojibwe Language. After getting put on to Point of Contact, an Indigenous hip-hop group based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota and their video, “Modern Day Warriors”, we were blown away by Tall Paul's solo performance of his bilingual  track "Prayers in a Song", which deftly blends English and Anishnaabemowin.

Tall Paul is from Leech Lake, Minnesota.

And this week, we found Rick Harp's great interview with Tall Paul over at MediaIndigena: Anishinabe rapper helps take Ojibwe language into new territory

We agree that the language of hip-hop can help inspire our people to revitalize our own Indigenous languages for the generations to come—and it's great to see it in action.

Have a listen to the full interview:

Interview: MC Tall Paul, "Prayers in a Song" by UrbanNation

RPM YouTube Playlist: West Coast - Volume 1

To accompany our West Coast Volume #001 Podcast, we have compiled a playlist with some additional West Coast based Indigenous artists on our RPM YouTube channel.

The playlist includes:

Rapsure Risin’ – The Lights Go Out Discreet Da Chosen 1 – Ma Letter JB The First Lady – Get Ready Get Steady K.A.S.P. – On A Roll Kristi Lane Sinclair – Last Song Optikz – Gifted Manik – Commercial Drive M’Girl – Eyes Wide Open Ry Moran – Dreams Of Grey Urban Buffaloes – Regret Nothing

There's no way we could ever fit all West Coast Indigenous music videos in one playlist, so stay tuned for more playlists from the RPM YouTube Channel.

What videos would you like to see featured on our YouTube channel and playlists?

Send us your video picks on our Get Involved page and Suggest An Artist.

VIDEO: National Aboriginal Day 2011 Highlights

From Pow Wow to Pop the diversity of Indigenous culture filled National Aboriginal Day 2011 celebrations with seemingly more music, film, dance, parades and feasts than ever.

Events started days before the 21^st and lasted into the days to follow. Gatherings varied from small to massive, in communities, in cities, from coast to coast. There was so much to take in no list could compile it all, but for a taste of the day's events, here is RPM’s NAD 2011 YouTube playlist. Sit back, and celebrate.

1. Happy Aboriginal Day from Graham Greene.
2. Winnipeg’s Most take the stage at APTN’s Aboriginal Day Live, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
3. The Breaking Wind (okay I’m not sold on the name, but they’re a promising young band to be sure) performs "Not Around" in New Credit, Ontario.
4. In Edmonton Alberta a dancer includes the traditional cartwheel.
5. Edmonton’s Metis Cultural Dancers switch it up with a Duck Dance in Yelowknife, Northwest Territories.
6. The Spirit Sand Singers, Red River, Alberta.
7. First place winner of the Bannock contest is announced, Whitehorse, Yukon.
8. Beautiful music when the crowd sings along in Moncton, New Brunswick.
9. White Tale Cree at the Aboriginal Arts Festival in Ottawa, Ontario (Check out great photos from the day as well) .
10. Crystal Shawanda debuts her new single in Dundas Square, Toronto, Ontario.

Hoka!