DJ Shub, the trailblazing Indigenous electronic music artist known for his groundbreaking fusion of traditional sounds and contemporary beats, has once again set the stage on fire with his latest release, ‘Half Breed (Remix).’ The track, a reimagining of the original hit featuring Cher, pulsates with raw energy and cultural vibrancy, showcasing Shub’s unparalleled talent for blending heritage with modernity.
The original ‘Half Breed’ was a celebrated anthem that resonated with audiences for its infectious rhythm and celebration of Indigenous culture. With this remix, DJ Shub takes the essence of the original and amplifies it to new heights. The beats are punchier, the melodies are more dynamic, and the infusion of traditional instrumentation adds layers of depth and authenticity to the composition.
In an inspiring convergence of artistic brilliance and environmental advocacy, three influential figures from different spheres—Pattie Gonia, Yo-Yo Ma, and Quinn Christopherson—have united to create a powerful musical testament to our planet and the urgent need for climate action with the release of ‘Won’t Give Up’.
Produced by Grammy award-winning producer Tyler Chester, this song merges the profound musical talent of violinist Paul Cartwright and drummer James McAllister. Pattie Gonia, the environmental advocate and drag artist known for championing inclusivity in outdoor spaces, brings her unique voice and passion for conservation to the forefront. With her vibrant personality and dedication to environmental causes, Pattie Gonia amplifies the urgency of the climate crisis and the importance of unity in protecting our planet.
Alaska Native artist Quinn Christopherson brings his unique perspective to the collaboration. Christopherson’s ability to infuse personal narratives into his music lens depth and authenticity to the single elevates the messages of resilience and determination in the face of environmental challenges.
Yo-Yo Ma, the renowned cellist whose transcendent musical talent has touched audiences worldwide, adds a layer of profound emotion to the anthem. Through his music, Ma has consistently advocated for social change and global harmony, making his contribution to ‘Not Giving Up’ a testament to the power of art in catalyzing meaningful conversations about pressing issues.
The release of this climate movement anthem serves as a poignant reminder that through collaborative efforts and a shared commitment to action, we can make a difference—one note, one step, and one act of solidarity at a time. ‘Not Giving Up’ embodies the resilience and hope needed to overcome the challenges ahead, urging us to forge a path of environmental and social harmony.
As the song resonates across borders and cultures, it is a testament to the transformative power of music and advocacy, reminding us that by standing together, we can create a world where the well-being of our planet and the welfare of humanity are intricately intertwined.
Uyarakq, the innovative and genre-defying artist, has once again left the world in awe with his latest release, “Lenapehoking Days.” The album features his ethereal vocals, sung in both Greenlandic and English, that are accompanied by a delicate blend of electronic beats and traditional Inuit throat singing, creating a mesmerizing soundscape that immediately draws the listener in. He is a self taught music producer/composer and DJ with a background in metal music originally from Nuuk, Greenland. He is currently working in the Indigenous circumpolar hip hop and rap scene with a presence in two continents, the North American arctic and the European arctic. He has previously won a Greenlandic Koda Award in 2015 for his solo album Raatiu Nukik (2014) and was nominated for Nordic Councils Music Prize in 2016 for the collaborative work Kunngiitsuuffik (2015) alongside the Greenlandic rapper Peand-eL.
The Snotty Nose Rez Kids, a dynamic Indigenous hip-hop duo hailing from Vancouver, have recently unleashed a powerful and thought-provoking anthem, “I Got Paid Today.” This track is not just another song; it’s a rallying cry, a testament to resilience, and a vivid exploration of the Indigenous experience in today’s world.
Known for their unapologetic style and uncompromising lyrics, the duo have captured the attention of music lovers around the globe. Their rise represents not only the success of Indigenous artists but also a shift towards acknowledging the importance of Indigenous voices and stories in popular culture.
“I Got Paid Today” is more than just a song; it’s a declaration of empowerment. The track radiates self-assuredness, celebrating the accomplishments and resilience of Indigenous communities. With lyrics like, “I got paid today, I’m unapologetic,” the Snotty Nose Rez Kids send a powerful message to their audience and beyond. The song reflects a sense of pride, strength, and the unyielding determination to rise above adversity.
This track delves into the complex and multifaceted issue of identity for Indigenous people. It touches on the importance of celebrating one’s heritage and culture in a world where Indigenous voices have often been marginalized or silenced. By unapologetically embracing their identity, the Snotty Nose Rez Kids encourage others to do the same. As the Snotty Nose Rez Kids continue to make waves, their music remains a forceful reminder that diverse perspectives and powerful narratives have a place in the spotlight.
In the world of music, there are artists who break boundaries, challenge norms, and inspire listeners with their creativity and unique perspectives. Dakotah Faye has just released his latest album ‘hell was boring’ that covers topics ranging from addiction and incarceration to the journey of self healing.
Faye is not just a talented artist, but also an advocate for the Indigenous community. Through his music and platform, he continuously sheds light on Indigenous issues and challenges faced within the community while also celebrating the beauty and resilience. “hell was boring” is a testament to the strength and creativity of Indigenous artists, and paves the way for greater recognition and appreciation of Indigenous voices in the music industry. This album is a reminder that music has the power to inspire, unite, and uplift, and it stands as a testament to the boundless creativity and potential of Indigenous artists.
Indigenous artists Xiuhtezcatl & Mato Wayuhi have announced their new joint single ‘Veils’ releasing on October 27, 2023. In a message shared via Instagram, Xiuhtezcatl stated, “We spent 10 days in my homeland Xochimilco, Mexico filming some of the most incredible visuals for this next album. This song is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written.” You can pre-save the song here and find tickets here for his upcoming 2 THE MOON & BACK TOUR kicking off in November.
Creating alongside her Mother, Angela Gonzalez, the two have gone viral on TikTok for their Indigenous Barbie creations, specifically the “Fish Camp Barbie,” which has garnered over 100,000 views on TikTok. Ermelina Gonzalez spoke with the RIVR and revealed more details behind the creations:
My name is Ermelina Gonzalez, my Denaakk’e name is K’ete ts’aayedaalno. I was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. My Mother is Koyukon Athabascan from Huslia, Alaska and my Father is Hispanic from El Salvador.
What led you to begin the creation of Indigenous barbies?
My mom first made a fish camp barbie for me when I was about ten years old. She used one of my barbies to make the scene. My mom’s late grandma, Lydia Simon of Huslia, use to make grass dolls at fish camp when she was growing up. Over the years, my mom began to make more for non-profit fundraisers. I received my first sewing machine at fourteen and the same year learned how to make a betsegh hoolaanee (qaspeq or summer parka). Over the years, I’ve helped my mom with sewing the clothing and accessories.
How much of an impact has Social Media had on spreading your content’s message?
Posted on my mom’s account, TikTok has spread our message of Indigenous representation to many Native and non-Native people across the United States and Canada. A couple of the videos have gone viral not only on TikTok, but other platforms as well.
What’s your favorite barbie you’ve made thus far and the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
My favorite Barbie is the moose hide tanning barbie. I like that Barbie because of what she is doing. Moose tanning is a practice being revived in Alaska and I think the process is just so amazing. The journey to processing hide is beautiful and the end result is so rewarding. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that Indigenous representation is important. I can tell from the shear amount of comments from Native people that they’ve loved it and how healing it is for their inner child.
What do you think about there being a hunger for Indigenous representation in pop culture?
We first started making the barbies with the things we had at home. We encourage anyone to do the same and represent their culture and heritage. We had people comment that they would like to see a whale hunting, dog mushing, and ribbon skirt barbie. Overall, many people are reconnecting and have a hunger for learning and practicing our culture and way of life. There is definitely a hunger for learning Alaska Native crafts, many people are disconnected and social media is a way to share our knowledge for these activities.
What about Indigenous Ken? Any plans to make a version soon?
Yes! We recently bought a Ken barbie doll and have plans for him in the making so stay tuned!
In 2022, we asked prominent Indigenous community member Rochelle Adams to reflect on Indigenous Peoples Day. Check out her responses from a year ago and see if they resonate with how you feel on Indigenous Peoples Day in 2023.
“This year Indigenous Peoples Day was Monday, October 10th, 2022. After being apart since 2019 due to the pandemic, it made coming together so much sweeter! I was excited to attend the APU celebration at the Moseley Sports Center in person to be with our community, share great food, important messages and feel the drum beats together. The last couple years have been online, which I’m grateful for the opportunity. But there is nothing like being in person and sharing hugs and our love for our beautiful, vibrant cultures with one another. We also kept the online component for accessibility and to share with our relatives and friends outside of Anchorage.
I have been a part of the planning committee for several years. I look forward to the time of year when the lead organizer Kristel Komakhuk, APU reaches out to pull us together to plan the year’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebration. The co hosts this year were Alaska Pacific University, Alaska Federation of Natives, Alaska’s People, Alaska Native Professional Association, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Alaska Native Heritage Center, Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 87, Alaska Native Village Corporation Association, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, First Alaskans Institute, Native Peoples Action Community Fund and Native Village of Eklutna.
This year our theme was “Honoring Our Ways of Life: Celebrating Who We Are.” We had guest speakers from around the state including Janelle Vanasse, APU President, Curtis McQueen (Tlingit), myself, Rochelle Adams (Gwich’in) and Crystal Leonetti (Yupik). We also were so honored for the performances by Alaska Native Heritage Center, Ida’ina Keljeshna (Dena’ina), Alaska Native Cultural Charter School choir. We also had an amazing buffet of soup and frybread and it was so much to have the Molly of Denali walk-around!
My message was about stewardship and how Alaska Natives have been the stewards of these lands and waters since time immemorial. I also shared how this stewardship is a little different. Nowadays, in order to stand up and protect our ways of life this means to show up at the polls and to vote! Vote your values for candidates whose values align the best with your own. This also means to show up in spaces where decisions are being made on behalf of our hunting and fishing rights. Because Alaska Natives are the experts as the ones that have lived here for thousands of years in balance with these lands, water and animals relatives. If we do not show up in these spaces, these decisions will be made for us and this is usually not in our best interest..
That being said, It is so important that we celebrate together! It is so important that we acknowledge our history and the knowledge that we hold as the first people of Alaska. If we can all come together to take a stand to protect our ways of life, we can ensure our ways of life for the next generations. It is our responsibility to speak for our relatives that cannot speak for themselves. As we face the Salmon crisis along the Yukon River and our hunting and fishing rights are continuously being under attack, now more than ever it is vital that we stand up. I’m honored to share this message with our community.”
Rochelle Adams is from the Interior Alaskan villages of Beaver and Fort Yukon, and her parents are Angela Peter-Mayo of Fort Yukon and the late Cliff “Tuffy” Adams Jr. of Beaver.
DeeDee Austin is a 17-year-old Indigenous singer-songwriter from Fall River, Nova Scotia. She has recently been nominated for Nova Scotia Indigenous Artist of the Year 2023 and Nova Scotia Music Video of the Year 2023, and previously garnered Indigenous Artist of the Year 2022, Best New Artist Recording of 2022 and many more accolades. She has been making notable strides on the East Coast with the release of her debut EP, Stepping Stones, and now her newest single Stay Dancin’ available on all streaming platforms.
Join us for the third annual pop-up event for the Storyteller multimedia series at the Alaska State Fair Gathering Place Stage! In partnership with the Alaska Native Heritage Center and CIRI, we’re excited to have you join us for two weekends of Alaska Native Storytelling and live music. All in-person attendees for both weekends will be able to enter our giveaway of an iPad, pair of headphones and family day pass to use at the Alaska Native Heritage Center! Hope to see you there listeners 🙂
