NS-NV Goes Reggae and Hip Hop

Lincoln, NE - On this edition of Native Sounds-Native Voices (NS-NV) Aden (Sioux) and Alex put together a playlist of Native Reggae and Hip Hop music. Native Americans are recognized for their flute music but the implementation of the drum in Native culture goes back for centuries. For example, in the Native American Church participants incorporate a water drum and a rattle. This practice dates back to before Columbus’s arrival. The drum beat in Reggae and Hip Hop is a contemporary version of the beats and rhythms from pre-colonial America. A couple of the Native artists in this playlist have songs with some sort of message in their music and other artists in this playlist have won awards from music organizations like the Native American Music Awards and Aboriginal Peoples Choice Awards in Canada. Artists such as Joey Stylez who is nominated for Male Entertainer of the Year by the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Awards, is a Hip Hop artist became a business owner when he started his own record label. He knows what life is like on the Reservation and is determined to represent his people in a positive way. Recently, I interviewed Joey Stylez about his upbringing, his music and his business ventures. Be sure to listen to the live broadcast of NS-NV every Thursday morning from 8-10 a.m. C.T. on the web at KZUM.org and AIROS.org.

*Tobias Grant

“Heaven” (Home of the Brave) Martha Redbone
“Strong & Beautiful” (We Are) Digging Roots
“Mother Earth” (Injunuity)Julian B.
“Go Back” (Indian Rezervation Blues and More) Leilani
“Kool Runnin” (The Black Star) Joey Stylez
“Honor the People” (Honor The People) Casper Loma-da-wa
“Need You” (Northern Lights) Buddaz N Stephen
“Fifty Cents" (All Together Here) Lunar Drive
“Native Dance Hall” (Rain Us Love) Native Roots
“Honey Be” (When Worlds Collide) Red Earth