Canada has so many fantastic Indigenous artists, across every genre imaginable. From country to hip hop, here are a few of our favourites!
William Prince
William Prince is a country-folk troubadour from the Peguis First Nation, which is the largest First Nations community in Manitoba.
His debut album came out in 2015, and he won the 2017 Juno Award for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year with Earthly Days. He has continued to create and release stunning music ever since!
Prince’s songs feature detailed and emotive storytelling told through his beautiful and full baritone voice.
Here he is with his breakout hit Breathless:
Tanya Tagaq
Tanya Tagaq is a singer, artist and author from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.
Her debut album Auk/Blood was released in 2005. Since then, she has released numerous successful projects, including 2014’s Juno and Polaris Music Prize winning album Animism and the Giller Prize nominated 2018 novel Split Tooth.
Tagaq’s songs often feature her throat singing, a type of vocalizing practiced by the Inuit.
Here she is performing live with her song Retribution:
The Halluci Nation
The Halluci Nation are an electronic music group from Ottawa, Ontario.
The group consists of members Tim “2oolman” Hill and Ehren “Bear Witness” Thomas. Their music incorporates elements of hip hop, reggae and dubstep with traditional First Nations music.
Their musical style has been labeled by some as “Pow-wow Step”, a style of modern Powwow music for urban Indignous in the dance club world.
In 2014 they won the Juno for Breakthrough Group of the Year, and in 2018 they won another Juno award for Group of the Year.
Here is one of their most popular songs Electric Pow Wow Drum:
Snotty Nose Rez Kids
Snotty Nose Rez Kids are a Hip Hop duo from Kitamaat Village, British Columbia.
The duo consists of rappers Darren “Young D” Metz and Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce. THeir music sits within the Hip Hop genre while incorporating an Indiginous viewpoint in their lyrical content.
Their third album TRAPLINE was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize.
Here is their song “The Warriors”, a protest song opposing the Trans Mountain Pipeline:
Closing Notes
There are so many amazing Canadian Indigenous artists to discover. Check out more here!
