Movin' to a brand new beat

Native Hip-Hop, Flathead Style

By Alyssa E. Kelly

Boom-Boom, Boom-Boom... The beat of the drum is the heartbeat of Native music. Music has always been a crucial form of expression to the Native community, including prayer, gatherings, story telling, songs to express feelings and family songs. While some-what similar topics are covered, the Native youth share a modern world through a new form of music, which is known as Native Hip-Hop, a contemporary music genre that branched from Hip-Hop music. Although the style, as well as the meaning, has changed, the drum continues to flow through the beats and, in a way, Native Hip-Hop is ensuring that the heartbeat of Native music lives on through a new generation.

With rhythmic beats and poetic lyrics, Native Hip-Hop's rising popularity is spreading throughout reservations all across Indian Country and the Flathead Reservation is no exception. Local tribal artists are composing beats and creating lyrics to represent themselves and where they're from. Although most of these Flathead artists began their music careers quite similarly, they each have their own unique style and message.

Most of the Native artists began their musical careers with a love for hip-hop music. Hip-hop is rooted from urban areas of larger cities. The people who inhabit these areas suffer from poverty, discrimination, criminal activity, as well as government frustrations - situations similar to which Natives from various reservations face today. Hip-hop music portrays the realities of life in "the struggle," and that is what the Native youth can identify with.

The following artists are from the Flathead reservation, yet they each illustrate a different perspective to living on the "Rez." Situations varying from losing loved ones, racism, local tragedy, politics, and even lighter subjects such as having a good time are expressed through the music.

Rez Side Clicc

Tribal members Isaac Lozeau, George Aimsback and Brandon Morigeau form the Native Hip-Hop group Rez Side Clicc (courtesy photo)

Pikture

Bud Collicot, AKA Pikture, uses reservation turmoil to find inspiration for his music (courtesy photo)

Dark Angelz

"Everyday is a struggle to do what's right and fight temptation," says Dark Angelz' member Joe of the everyday pressures of living on the reservation. Dark Angelz group members consist of Joe and Bruce. "Everybody wanna do some cocaine, shoot meth in their veins, but I'm gonna do my own thang."(An excerpt from Dark Angelz' song: "Do My Own Thang") Dark Angelz' graphic lyrics portray the realities of the negative decisions one is faced with and how critical your decisions are. "The inspiration came from the need to express individuality in a world where everyone wanna follow a crowd...Everyone is a product of their environment so naturally glimpses of reservation life will show in our lyrics, but we're trying to make music that anyone can relate to," Joe describes of his music. For more information on Dark Angelz: www.myspace.com/rezmob

Native Pride Riders

"Natives are coming back. We're taking it all back," A.J Couture says of Native music. A.J is a member of musical group Native Pride Riders alongside Randyn Left Hand. "The way we grew up, my Native heart and mentality made me who I am. I think it really reflects in my music," A.J says of his musical inspiration. In their song "Native Mind," Native Pride Riders speak about how being Native is a way of life, unique from any others. "You gotta keep your head high and survive, you gotta keep your pride and stay alive. It's all about the struggle, it's the way we choose our lives, I think it's all inside." (An excerpt from Native Pride Rider's song: "Native Mind.")

The advancement in technology has given low-income artists limitless possibilities to their careers. Recently, new and affordable computer programs such as Sony's Acid Studio Pro, Apple's Garageband, Ableton's Live and Digital Leisure's eJay series have allowed low-income artists to create, record and release their own music and songs. Free internet resources such as Myspace can provide publicity and exposure and such online communities are growing. This in turn, is allowing the Native Hip-Hop artist community to grow and advance.

Oklahoma City Native Hip-Hop group Culture Shock was mentioned in The Source, a nation-wide Hip-Hop magazine, as "One of the most celebrated Hip-Hop groups in the Native American world." Culture Shock DJ Feejo a.k.a Shock B has been featured in concerts with mainstream artists such as 50 Cent, Li'l John, and the Ying Yang Twins. Another Culture Shock group member Quese, has been the opening act for mainstream artists such as Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Tyrese, Cee-Lo, Bone Thugs -n- Harmony, and Grand Master Flash. They've also been featured at shows for Sherman Indian High School, Gathering of Nations pow-wow, Haskell Indian Nations University, as well as numerous Native American basketball tournaments. Native American clothing company Native Threads has become more involved with Native Hip-Hop artists as means of advertisement as well as helping Native Hip-Hop artists with exposure. On the Native Threads website, they have launched a profile for each artist or group featuring photos of them wearing Native Threads clothing. (www.nativethreads.com)

The Native Hip-Hop category was added to the Native American Music Awards (Nammys). Cherokee rap artist, Lite Foot, has received the award for four consecutive years since the category was added; but he was not mentioned as a finalist in the category for 2006.

Record labels are forming specifically in the genre of Native Hip-Hop. Such labels include Sunshine Records, Night Shield Entertainment, Arbor Records, and Sound of American Records; which are Native owned and operated.

Former NBA player Magic Johnson has teamed up with the Native American Youth to Elder Foundation (NAYEF) to create a "Hip-Hop basketball league to uplift Native American communities." They are hoping that through the league they will be able to not only give a voice to Native American youth, but also bring a positive perspective to the community. The collaboration also hopes this will "Establish a stronger Native American presence in Hip-Hop." (According to All Hip-Hop News)

Native Hip-Hop has come a long way from being an unrecognized hobby. No one really knows how far Native Hip-Hop will go, but the foundation that is being created is seemingly strong. With the rising success thus far, it may become the representation of the young Native community Nation wide, as well as become a new form of communication that will connect all tribes throughout Indian Country.

Additional Reporting by Sam Sandoval

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