Mic Jordan's, #DearNativeYouth, is a Passionate Dedication to Uplifting the Community

Mic Jordan's new video, "#DearNativeYouth", speaks to directly to those who need to hear it most—the youngest members of our community.

Equal parts open letter of understanding and story of encouragement, Mic Jordan's new video is simple statement of love and responsibility to the community.

That's what makes it dope.

The up-and-coming Turtle Mountain Anishinaabe hip-hop artist is part of a stellar list of Indigenous musicians and poets contributing to The Last Stand Mixtape, dropping later this fall, and "#DearNativeYouth" is the first glimpse of what we can expect from the mixtape. Encapsulating both the spirit and sentiment of a new generation of Native artists fighting back against all forms of oppression with strength, unity, and conviction, Mic Jordan makes clear that this is bigger than a hashtag movement.

#DearNativeYouth is about affirming the life we share in common, and the dreams that every youth in our community deserves not only to have access to, but to feel confident in achieving.

The Tido Vegas-produced track features a lilting guitar loop paired with Jordan's impassioned flow, and a melodic hooks that hits just the right note of uplift, minus the corny-ness.

Respect to all the Indigenous artists raising it up each other and for a worthy purpose—celebrating Indigenous life, love, and power. That's what the movement is really about.

WATCH: Mic Jordan's "#DearNativeYouth"

Destiny's New Video for "Orange Blossom" is a Sultry Summer Jam

Everyone's favourite Smart Girl Club rocker, Destiny, releases a video for her new single, "Orange Blossom".

Hot on the bell-bottomed, 70s disco heels of her previous release, "Soul Train", the reincarnation of the former Princess Nokia—now known simply as Destiny—continues its transformation.

Moving her retro-chic timeline forward into the early 80s, Destiny's latest single, "Orange Blossom", comes wrapped in a lo-fi, VHS aesthetic, filtered through the sunlit haze of late summer excursions.

Set amidst Coney Island's now mostly-quiet rides and arcades, Destiny struts, dances, grooves, and sways to the lilt and swing of the track's digital synths, laid-back electric guitar lines, and grooving handclaps. Lyrically, she pours on the innuendo, dropping "all natural" allusions to getting down in the heat of some sun-soaked summer loving.

"Orange Blossom" rides its soft, 80s-wave influences in less abstract and experimental ways than her Metallic Butterfly-era releases. And although Destiny is rooting this next phase of her creative expression in groove-based music that's gone before, she doesn't let sonic nostalgia define her sound, just cast a warm glow around it.

Kick back and enjoy before the long days of summer are gone.

WATCH: Destiny - "Orange Blossom"

Walk in the Woods with the New Video from Kickin' Krotch, "Ghost Town"

The all Indigenous East Coast band Kickin' Krotch may get filed under hard rock, but their latest video highlights a track with a bit of softness.

"Ghost Town" is the third single from the band's eponymous debut LP and its slow, stirring, melody perfectly showcases the warmth and depth of lead singer Michael Bernard's voice. Based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Kickin' Krotch has been getting its name out across the country and they are currently in the running for Best New Artist in this year's newly renamed Indigenous Music Awards.

I might like sad songs most here at RPM, and this reflective song, set here in the video among tall trees, mossy stones, rich colours, and long shadows with only a few breaks of light, is moving my Thursday morning nicely. Its inescapable to join in on the second and third listen to the long "ghoooooost town" refrain and I suggest you sit back, join in, and take in the setting and sound, too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgdgPJEJ0Eo&feature=youtu.be

Lyrics: 

Swimming at the surface evil lurking reaching for your soul wants to bury it free me from this nightmare neverending get me the hell out of here I just wanna disappear

Every little drop you bring me down drowning in whiskey smothering ghost town

I want to close my eyes forever stop running in the wrong direction I think I lost my way falling of the righteous path crawling through the rubble screaming wrath

Every little drop you bring me down drowning in whiskey smothering ghost town 2x

She don’t wanna die She don’t wanna cry

Watch City Natives Burn Through Their Verses in New Video for "Beast Mode"

City Natives drop their new single and music video for "Beast Mode".

Over a banging Beaatz-produced beat, booming kick, stuttering snares, and jangling piano riff, the rap Voltron crew spit fire for three and a half straight minutes of rockin' rap goodness.

That's it. No frills and gimmicks. No makin' it rain in the club or gratuitous imagery. No fake records, just raw, rugged lyricism. True to form, City Natives bring the heat while standing their ground, reppin' the struggle while flexing their skills. 

"Beast Mode" is the second single from their latest album, Voltron, which you can stream in its entirety right here.

If you don't know, now you know.

WATCH: City Natives - "Beast Mode"

City Natives' new album Voltron, is out now and available on iTunes

Briggs, Thelma Plum, Dan Sultan Lead Nominations for 2015 National Indigenous Music Awards

Nominations for Australia's 2015 National Indigenous Music Awards have been announced. 

Leading the pack is acclaimed Yorta Yorta hip-hop artist Briggs who is nominated in five categories, including Artist of the Year, Best Song and Best Music Video (for "Bad Apples"), Best Album and Best Cover Art (for Sheplife). Briggs took home the award for Best New Talent at last year's NIMAs.

Following closely behind are singer Thelma Plum and "country soul rock 'n roll" artist Dan Sultan, who are each nominated for three awards.

Plum, who's latest EP, Monsters, was one of our favourite releases of last year, is nominated for Artist of the Year, and has two songs up for Song of the Year: "How Much Does Your Love Cost?" and the soaring anthem "Young in Love".

Sultan is also up for Artist of the Year, and his single "Dirty Ground" is nominated for Song of the Year and Best Music Video.

We're also pleased to see the NIMAs continue their Indigenous community focus by honouring several local musical initiatives produced by Desert Pea Media and Indigenous Hip Hop Projects in collaboration with local partners and Indigenous youth.

The National Indigenous Music Awards, which celebrate excellence in contemporary Indigenous music from across Australia, will be held in Darwin on July 25, 2015.

Here is the Full List of Nominees for the 2015 National Indigenous Music Awards:

Artist of the Year

• Jessica Mauboy
• Thelma Plum
• Dan Sultan
• Briggs

Song of the Year

• "How Much Does Your Love Cost?" – Thelma Plum
• "Young In Love" – Thelma Plum
• "Bad Apples" – Briggs
• "Dirty Ground" – Dan Sultan
• "Black Woman" – Emma Donovan

Album of the Year

• Sheplife – Briggs
• Dawn – Emma Donovan and Putbacks
• Uncle – Frank Yamma
• The Genesis Project – East Journey featuring Yothu Yindi National

New Talent of the Year

• Philly
• Lucky Luke
• Tjintu Desert Band

Cover Art of the Year

• Song of Arnhem Land – East Journey ft Yothu Yindi
• Cause N Affect – Radical Son
• Uncle – Frank Yamma
• Sheplife – Briggs

Film Clip of the Year (aka Best Music Video)

• "Bad Apples" – Briggs
• "Song of Arnhem Land (Salas/Moore Mix)" – East Journey
• "Human Behaviour" – Radical Son
• "Dirty Ground" – Dan Sultan
• "Parlingarri" – B2M (Bathurst to Melville)

Community Clip of the Year [now National]

• Breathe In, Breathe Out  - Produced By: Indigenous Hip Hop Projects was proud to partner with Katherine West Health Board and Bulla Camp
• Got a lot Going On - Yarn Safe Produced By: Indigenous Hip Hop Projects and Indigenous creative agency Gilimbaa
• Uncle Alfred’s Mens Group - Spear of Destiny Produced By: Desert Pea Media
• Cairns Murri Crew - Built To Last Produced By: Desert Pea Media
• Tagai Buway - Two Worlds Produced By: Desert Pea Media
• Call On Me - Produced by: Indigenous Hip Hop Projects was proud to partner with Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service and St. Mary's College

WATCH OUR PLAYLIST OF 2015 NIMA NOMINEES

For more information visit: National Indigenous Music Awards

Aboriginal Hip-Hop Star Briggs Drops Inspiring New Single, "The Children Came Back"

Briggs' new song, "The Children Came Back", inspires a new generation of Indigenous youth to rise up and celebrate their survival.

Raise up your ancestors. Raise up Indigenous heroes.

That's the first thing that hits you when you watch Briggs' epic new video.

The acclaimed Shepparton-based, Yorta Yorta hip-hop artist brings together a heavy list of collaborators and video guest appearances in this respectful homage to the 1990 Archie Roach anthem "Took The Children Away". But where that song mourned Roach's own experience of being taken away, and lamented the dispossession and removal of Indigenous children that have come to be known as the 'Stolen Generation', Briggs responds with an inspired sequel that—twenty-five years later—champions "black excellence" and the accomplishments of Indigenous Nations across 'Australia'.

A literal generation after Roach's anthemic and sorrowful call to account for historical injustice, Briggs swaggers boldly to the fore of an Indigenous peoples' movement unafraid to celebrate their success.

Featuring a who's who of famous contemporary Indigenous musicians and sports stars, including Lionel Rose, Jimmy Little, Adam Goodes, Cathy Freeman and Patty Mills, the song also makes sure to represent indigeneity in the music as well.

As VICE Australia notes, "With Gurrumul and Dewayne Everettsmith adding vocals, the song features traditional instrumentation including clap sticks, a yidaki from North East Arnhem Land, and a haunting chant from the B2M, a group of musicians from the Tiwi Islands.

The video features Briggs, Everettsmith, Archie Roach, Paul Kelly and 3-year old Samara Muir who recently made national headlines with her distressing experience of racism by kids her own age."

But perhaps the highest tribute comes from Archie Roach himself, who has proudly endorsed Briggs' tribute:

"I love Briggs’ song. It's about our Indigenous heroes," says Roach. "Using a part of my song, where it says 'the children came back' is really what the song is about. I feel proud to be a part of what Briggs hopes to achieve and I really love that he used young children to play the heroes because they are our future heroes."

"The Children Came Back" is a new anticolonial anthem of resurgence and return. As Briggs observes, it's equal parts "history lesson, monologue, celebration and education in one song”.

Released July 3rd to coincide with NAIDOC week in Australia, this is the sound of a generation rising.

Watch Briggs - "The Children Came Back (feat. Gurrumul & Dewayne Everettsmith)"

O Kanata Day: Watch Mohawk Artist Jackson 2bears Remix Colonial "Heritage Mythologies"

Happy Anti-Canada Day—it's time to celebrate the country's Original Peoples.

That's right, we said it.

In a year of reconciliation, on a nationalized holiday of mostly mindless settler celebration, what better time than now to acknowledge not only the long and continuing history of colonialism that has built Canadians' Homes on Native Land, but also the strength and resilience of the Indigenous Nations and societies that predated the arrival of Europeans on our shores?

That's what Kanien'kehá:ka DJ/VJ and multimedia artist Jackson 2bears is doing.

2bears is marking this auspicious occasion with the release of a full-length version of his incredible video work, Heritage Mythologies, an artful deployment of re-appropriation and remix for decidedly Indigenous purposes.

The piece is part of a 2010 installation and live video remix performance at the SAW Gallery in Ottawa, that has since been included in the Beat Nation touring exhibition. Beat Nation demonstrated the unique ways Indigenous artists are using hip-hop and other forms of popular culture to create new cultural hybrids—in painting, sculpture, installation, performance and video.

In Heritage Mythologies, 2bears lets loose his VJ skills on an astonishing array of found footage and cinematic samples sourced from Canadian media, newscasts, CanCon beer ads, Olympic resistance, Canadian rapper Classified's settler anthem "Oh...Canada", those iconic Heritage Minute videos, Cape Breton's singer Rita MacNeil rocking the national anthem, footage from the so-called 'Oka crisis', text from residential school reports, right on up to Prime Minister Harper's notorious 2008 apology for the Indian Residential Schools system. And all set to a rolling hip-hop soundtrack.

Heritage Mythologies is ironic, funny, and a scathing critique of Canadian politics and nationalism.

Not only does 2bears expose the long and destructive misrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples on film and in the media, he does it with an artful, musical eye on the colonial politics at work in how we see and, therefore, how we come to know about the past and present of this country.

Heritage Mythologies closes with a wry twist on that beloved old settler classic, "This Land is Your Land", which strums along against an onslaught of imagery depicting the historical and continuing faces of Indigenous resistance flashing and crackling in the background.

The juxtaposition is potent, powerful, and a clear reminder of how far we still have to go.

So on this 'Kanata Day', why glorify colonial conquest when you can lay bare the deep mythological heritage that still holds sway in the Canadian psyche? Why celebrate a falsely imagined nationalism that overwrites Indigenous nationhood in all its forms when you can champion the work of Indigenous artists committed to the daily struggle of correcting media misrepresentations and representing ourselves on our own terms?

Jackson 2bears challenges our complacency and calls us to account for the inanity of pledging ignorant allegiance to the settler colonial state.

Instead of painting your face with the flag of oppression while shotgunning tallboys of Molson Canadian, or embroidering that maple leaf patch on your backpack ahead of your next drunken hostel excursion through Europe, let's pay more attention to what Indigenous artists are actually doing with the imposed legacy of invasion.

Artists like Jackson 2bears are reappropriating the weapon of representation to reflect back to us the destructive, colonial reality that's been carefully hidden behind the false flag of Operation Reconciliation. Time to take it back to the foundations and try again.

Now, who's ready for some fireworks?

Watch Jackson 2bears, Heritage Mythologies

Heritage Mythologies - O Kanata Day - 2015 from Jackson 2bears

Check out more of his work on Vimeo and at jackson2bears.net

Silver Jackson Premieres New Music Video for "Starry Skies Opened Eyes (Pt.II)"

Silver Jackson drops a video for the title track from his latest album, Starry Skies Opened Eyes.

One of our favourite releases of 2014, Silver Jackson's Starry Skies Opened Eyes is a bold imagining of an Indigenous future found in the reclamation of life and the rediscovery of present possibilities in the here and now.

Collaborating with Diné filmmaker Dylan McLaughlin, the Tlingit Unangax̂ artist has released an evocative black and white music video for the album's title track, "Starry Skies Opened Eyes".

Here's what he had to say about the clip and the album:

"Starry Skies Opened Eyes features" vocals from multidisciplinary Métis artist Moe Clark. The album was recorded over a three year period that saw Jackson narrowly escape death in a hunting accident, and traces his path to newfound perspectives on life through love and gratitude…friends and family.

Watch the video below and stream the full album, Starry Skies Opened Eyes, right here on RPM.

Silver Jackson - Starry Skies Opened Eyes (Pt. II) from Dylan McLaughlin

Stryk-9 Channels Ancestral Power in New Single and Video, "In The Spirit"

Stryk-9 represents for the people on new single and video, "In The Spirit".

Hochunk-Northern Cheyenne hip-hop artist Kunu Dittmer—aka Stryk-9—has been at the game for years, building and creating throughout the Northwest with his Indigenous crew, the Burial Ground Sound Collective.

Stryk-9's new single, "In The Spirit", is a heartfelt portrait of empowerment and Indigenous struggle that comes drumming through your speakers with the spirit of Crazy Horse. Opening with a throwback soul sample that flips a traditional hand drum song and vocal over a head-knocking hip-hop beat, Stryk-9 spits raw verses about bringing his creativity into action for clan, fam, and all relations.

But as he asks in the track's closing lines, what can we do in the face of "world wars and global warming", when we're "living the story of creation / the destruction of the system that's corrupting the spirit of women and men / is it the beginning or the end?"

Politically charged, but decidedly personal in its ambition to bring truth to the light for the benefit of all Indigenous Peoples, this is a revolutionary warrior's anthem for the conscious, proud, and free.

Catch Stryk-9 and the Burial Ground Sound Collective, alongside Almas Fronterizas and Katrina Benally (Diné), at "Uprising at the Abbey"—an all ages, hip-hop showcase organized as part of the One Flaming Arrow Festival's closing night—Sunday, June 14 in Portland, Oregon. Full event info here.

DOWNLOAD: Stryk-9's - "In The Spirit"

Watch Stryk-9's "In The Spirit"

Rapper Olmeca on the 'Browning of America'

Hip-hop artist Olmeca gives voice to the changing face of America with an uplifting celebration of the Latino community.

Los Angeles-based Tepehuane emcee Olmeca is a deft lyricist and a dedicated activist. He's been a longtime advocate for Latin@ rights and his latest single "Browning of America" speaks directly to the rise of the Latin@ community in the U.S., the struggles of undocumented workers against deportation, and the fight for immigrant rights. "The revolution will not be televised", he raps, "we're marching in."

We caught up with him to talk about the song, the struggle, and what we can learn from the Zapatistas.

What Indigenous nation and community do you represent?

I represent the Indigenous diaspora from Mexico. My mother is Tepehuane from the state of Durango, but lost her roots during forced migration within Mexico.

How does your indigeneity figure in your art and music?

The idea of identity in the United States is crucial in the survival of a people. The colors, the vibrancy of culture, the food, the music and our cultural understanding of the world through indigeneity are very much present in my music.

Can you tell us a bit about the song "Browning of America" and the movement you're speaking to with it?

"Browning of America" is about the undeniable fact that the U.S. is becoming more "brown" or "latin@". The demographics are changing and with it its culture. There is a part of the immigrant rights movement that inspires me. One that is fearless and is led by the undocumented "other". The women, the queer community, the youth and those who are most marginalized. I try to respond to that bravery with this song by placing the facts that are often hidden from mainstream media.

You produced the video in collaboration with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) and PUENTE Vision. How did you link up with them?

I've been working with NDLON for years now. I've been working with PUENTE the longest. Both organizations have been on the front lines and I'm honored to be on their scope given the tremendous amount of work they have been doing.

We heard you got up with the Zapatistas and have been a longtime supporter of their movement. What do you think we can learn from them in our movements for liberation here in other parts of Turtle Island?

I first visited Zapatista communities in 2001. That movement is one that looks at the political reality through Indigenous principles. It allows for culture to take its proper place and focuses on justice beyond the economic. This means that the poor and rich dichotomy is only part of the struggle, but humanity, is holistic and that is what I feel they truly represent... that is... a movement for humanity where 'a world where many worlds fit' and one where we are constantly looking at our privileges to ensure the dignity of those around us.

What's next for you? Any new releases planned for 2015?

I am in production mode and working with Dos Santos from Chicago and Principe Cu from Texas for production. In the meantime, we will be releasing more videos via my website www.olmeca.us.

DOWNLOAD: Olmeca - Browning of America

Watch Tall Paul's New Video for "Walk Rite"

Anishinaabe MC Tall Paul releases a new music video for the track, "Walk Rite".

For the past several years, Minneapolis-based, hip-hop artist Tall Paul has been dropping tracks as part of his #AheadoftheGame series/mixtape, where he releases a new song each week the Minnesota Vikings play, prior to the game.

Last year he compiled those tracks into the Ahead of the Present mixtape, a nice collection of hip-hop jams and thoughtful lyrics.

Now the sunny and soulful, Bahwee-produced joint, "Walk Rite", gets a fresh visual treatment—just in time for #ThrowbackThursday—courtesy of Jake Handegard at Morningside Films and co-directed by Tall Paul. Check the clip and download the track below.

Watch Tall Paul - "Walk Rite"

DOWNLOAD: Tall Paul - "Walk Rite"

Watch Once a Tree's Debut "Howling" Video

Toronto-based duo Once a Tree premiere the video for their latest single, "Howling".

Saulteaux singer Jayli Wolf and husband/musical partner/producer Hayden John Wolf are onto something.

As the enigmatic duo Once a Tree, their lush EDM-inspired, bedroom-R&B/electronic pop compositions were catching fire on SoundCloud going back to early 2014, but now their page features just one song.

That single, however, is "Howling"—a massive dubstep-inflected dose of downtempo pop that has already amassed two hundred thousand plays.

This week, said single gets a similarly chic visual treatment, in the group's haunting, Jonathan Riera-directed debut video, which premiered over on Billboard.com. Not a bad for a duo with only one 'official' song to their credit.

Although their sounds have been appearing and disappearing from the internet for a while now, "Howling" marks their proper arrival. Once a Tree is here to stay.

Watch: Once a Tree - "Howling"

Stream: Once a Tree, "Howling"

Download "Howling" on iTunes and stream it on Spotify.