Man, this one comes as a pleasant surprise and I’m grateful the YouTube algorithm placed it in my recommended videos. As a fan of artists like Nahko And Medicine For The People, Trevor Hall, Xavier Rudd and a number of others, music with references and ties to spiritual foundation and Indigenous cultures is always well received and appreciated by me. But, as a fan of hip-hop, it’s a rare occurrence to come across artists who bring the medicine of the Indigenous people with the rawness of hip-hop.
Apparently, I haven’t been looking in the right places because Snotty Nose Rez Kids have bridged that gap and I’m excited to dive deeper into their catalogue.
With “Creator Made An Animal,” the first single off their forthcoming Trapline album, the Turtle Island-based duo come forth with impassioned resistance towards a long history of suppression and white supremacy. And, in doing so, they pay respect and shine light on the history, knowledge and way of life of their ancestors. The song and video are saturated with beautiful Indigenous imagery and references, as Darren “Young D” Metz and Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce play off the tropes and stereotypes of “savage” natives in order to flip the script and present their people in a wondrously authentic fashion. Although this is by no means a complete list of all that is contained within their layered verses, “Creator Made An Animal” references animal spirits, the 7th Generation, drums and more.
And all the history contained within the song is presented through abrasively delivered prose and raw production that builds, explodes and falls back with precision over the course of the track. It’s rightfully aggressive, defiant and captivatingly self-aware – these men are proud of who they are and what/where they come from.
“Creator Made An Animal” includes a feature from fellow Vancouver-based artist Boslen, who kicks the joint off with an energetic verse, leading the way for both Young D and Yung Trybez to follow.
The Jerome Hof-directed visual, shot in black and white, is highlighted by a majestic wolf running through the woods as SNRK and Boslen deliver their fiery verses beneath the treeline. Interwoven throughout are clips of the artists performing in their neighborhood. The masks featured throughout the visual are sure to catch your attention, working to continue the “savage” script-flipping.
Aho Mitakuye Oyasin.
Trapline is set for release on May 10th. “Creator Made An Animal” is available now on all major streaming platforms.
Watch the video and then listen to Taabu’s remix of the record below.