Understanding what Indigenous music can be.
Music has always been a central part of Indigenous cultures, and not only across Turtle Island but all across the globe. Native artists have always been making their mark in ways that have been heard, if rarely seen.
There are many young Indigenous artists leading this next wave globally. This week on Reclaimed, we’re exploring how these young artists are challenging people’s limited understanding of what Indigenous music can be. One artist we're featuring is Australia's Thelma Plum, who has been unafraid to use her voice for activism. This is what she told Common Ground Australia:
“I’m just a songwriter. I’m also Aboriginal but, just because my music isn’t traditional, that doesn’t make it any less Indigenous.... It’s about the perception of what people think Aboriginal music ‘should’ sound like, but it shouldn’t really sound like anything other than whatever you want it to sound like — because you’re a songwriter, just like any other songwriter.”
Reclaimed airs Wednesdays at 7 p.m. on CBC Radio 2, with host Jarrett Martineau. Also included on the playlist this week are the Snotty Nose Rez Kids with "Skoden".
Reclaimed playlist: July 18, 2017
1. Snotty Nose Rez Kids, “Skoden”
2. The Handsome Savages, “Drunk Again”
3. Ryan Dennison, “HT”
4. K.Benally, "You're Never”
5. CJ the Grey, “Bangladesh Freestyle”
6. Def-i, “Separate Turns (ft. Drezus)”
7. Thelma Plum, “Young in Love”
8. Ta-ku & Wafia, “Treading Water”
9. Once A Tree, “Take Me”
10. John Angaiak, “Angayuqaagema”
11. Logan Staats, “Books”
12. Harvey Dreaver, “Where Did I Go Wrong”
13. Bear Fox, “Ionkwanoronhkwa Ohneka”
14. Fucked Up & Tanya Tagaq, “Our Own Blood”