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The latest stories, features, and news from the Indigenous hip-hop scene.

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DJ Big Rez Returns with Flow Fest 3 at the Legendary Stommish Water Festival
Events
June 2026·5 min read

DJ Big Rez Returns with Flow Fest 3 at the Legendary Stommish Water Festival

A powerful lineup of Indigenous artists comes together in Lummi Nation as Dopest Natives Alive joins the celebration of music, culture, and community. Saturday, June 20 at the Stommish Water Festival.

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ALLY FEATURE: CTRIK Keeps the Funk Alive With G-Funk Never Dies
Ally Feature
May 31, 2026·6 min read

ALLY FEATURE: CTRIK Keeps the Funk Alive With G-Funk Never Dies

DNA salutes CTRIK, aka Colin Trickey — Indigenous ally, muralist, and Vancouver G-funk artist. His 40th Birthday & G-Funk Never Dies Release Party goes down Friday, June 5 at Lana Lou's, 362 Powell Street. 8PM doors, $20. Pull up and support.

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Tiago Vasquez Is Building More Than Songs
Interview
May 28, 2026·7 min read

Tiago Vasquez Is Building More Than Songs

The Vancouver R&B soul artist talks music, responsibility, business, and why the real revolution is learning how to hold each other down.

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A New Voice Rises: "Big Aunty" & "Young Elder" Join Dopest Natives Alive — Introducing Spilling the Aunt-Tea
Announcement
May 5, 2026·6 min read

A New Voice Rises: "Big Aunty" & "Young Elder" Join Dopest Natives Alive — Introducing Spilling the Aunt-Tea

Something shifted inside the Dopest Natives Alive studio. This wasn't just another podcast. This was a moment where story met opportunity, healing met platform, and culture met its next evolution.

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k.stone: La Loche Written in the Bone
Feature
April 28, 2026·10 min read

k.stone: La Loche Written in the Bone

Some artists rap like they are chasing a lane. k.stone sounds like he had to carve one out to survive. From La Loche to Montreal, he carries the North with him — not as a gimmick, but as witness, poetry, warning, and proof.

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Dopest Natives Alive Podcast: Tiago Vasquez Opens Up About 'Revolution,' Intergenerational Trauma, and His Mother's Journey
Podcast
April 17, 2026·8 min read

Dopest Natives Alive Podcast: Tiago Vasquez Opens Up About 'Revolution,' Intergenerational Trauma, and His Mother's Journey

In this episode, we sit down with Vancouver's own Tiago Vasquez for a deeply personal and powerful conversation about his song 'Revolution,' his mother's sacrifice crossing borders, and his grind coming up in Vancouver.

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Indigenous Hip-Hop Tension Surfaces: Tony Toosick and AntoineX Face Public Dispute
Editorial
March 31, 2026·7 min read

Indigenous Hip-Hop Tension Surfaces: Tony Toosick and AntoineX Face Public Dispute

In the vibrant yet close-knit world of Indigenous hip-hop, a disagreement has become public between two respected voices. The hope is that any further blows stay confined to the music.

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Tia Wood and the Power of Truth: Reclaiming the Narrative in Indigenous Media
Editorial
March 30, 2026·5 min read

Tia Wood and the Power of Truth: Reclaiming the Narrative in Indigenous Media

At Dopest Natives Alive, we stand firmly on a different foundation—one rooted in truth, accountability, and uplifting our people. Indigenous media should be a space for empowerment, not misrepresentation.

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Giving Flowers to a True Ally: DJ Sichuan and His Foundational Role in Vancouver's Indigenous Hip-Hop Scene
Ally Spotlight
March 27, 2026·6 min read

Giving Flowers to a True Ally: DJ Sichuan and His Foundational Role in Vancouver's Indigenous Hip-Hop Scene

DJ Sichuan brought his skills, his studio, and his deep respect for the culture to the table. He wasn't claiming space as an Indigenous artist; he was building it with Indigenous artists, protocols, and voices.

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Stella Standingbear Links Up With Paul Wall on New Release, Bridging Indigenous Hip-Hop and Southern Rap
New Music
March 7, 2026·6 min read

Stella Standingbear Links Up With Paul Wall on New Release, Bridging Indigenous Hip-Hop and Southern Rap

Indigenous hip-hop continues to rise on the global stage, and Stella Standingbear is one of the artists leading that movement. Her newest release featuring Houston rap legend Paul Wall is catching attention across the scene.

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B3AR MC: Dopest Natives Alive Crowns Taos Pueblo's Battle Champion as One of the Dopest Voices Alive
Artist Feature
March 27, 2026·6 min read

B3AR MC: Dopest Natives Alive Crowns Taos Pueblo's Battle Champion as One of the Dopest Voices Alive

Word is spreading like wildfire through Vancouver's Indigenous arts circles, powwow grounds, and underground hip-hop cyphers: Dopest Natives Alive has thrown its full weight behind B3AR MC.

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N.W.T. (Native War Tribe): The Veteran Warriors of Indigenous Hip-Hop Who've Been Grinding Since Day One
Artist Feature
March 16, 2026·5 min read

N.W.T. (Native War Tribe): The Veteran Warriors of Indigenous Hip-Hop Who've Been Grinding Since Day One

Battle-tested veterans who have been putting in that real work for years, repping Native pride, unity, and the everyday grind with raw honesty and warrior spirit.

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Wolf Castle: The Mi'kmaq Rapper Building Castles from the Rez Up
Artist Feature
March 15, 2026·7 min read

Wolf Castle: The Mi'kmaq Rapper Building Castles from the Rez Up

From Pabineau First Nation in New Brunswick, Wolf Castle has carved out a lane that feels both deeply personal and universally powerful — blending razor-sharp flows, R&B hooks, and self-produced beats.

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Portland's Dopest MC Indo Slim Drops 'No Signal' — New Visual Out Now
New Release
March 14, 2026·3 min read

Portland's Dopest MC Indo Slim Drops 'No Signal' — New Visual Out Now

Half A Zip Records presents the latest from Portland's own Indo Slim. 'No Signal' drops with a cinematic new visual directed by Rich Human Studios.

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DNA Podcast: Rich Unk Sits Down with Manik1derful — A Pioneer Returns After 10 Years
Podcast
March 13, 2026·6 min read

DNA Podcast: Rich Unk Sits Down with Manik1derful — A Pioneer Returns After 10 Years

Before there was a lane, Manik was building it. From Vancouver's underground battle scene to frontline activism, he helped fuse hip-hop with culture, identity, and resistance.

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Rich Unk Releases Powerful New Single 'Am I Still Sacred?'
New Release
March 12, 2026·5 min read

Rich Unk Releases Powerful New Single 'Am I Still Sacred?'

After everything a man has done and been through—can he still reclaim his culture and be considered sacred, loved, and respected? A prayer in the form of a track.

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AntoineX: The Lakota Trailblazer Poised to Become Hip-Hop's First Major Indigenous Mainstream Superstar
Artist Feature
March 11, 2026·7 min read

AntoineX: The Lakota Trailblazer Poised to Become Hip-Hop's First Major Indigenous Mainstream Superstar

From the reservations of Omaha, Nebraska, AntoineX has emerged as a larger-than-life force blending soul-stirring R&B, gritty hip-hop, and sacred traditional elements.

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Rich Unk: From East Van Streets to Cultural Reclamation
Artist Feature
March 10, 2026·6 min read

Rich Unk: From East Van Streets to Cultural Reclamation

A second-generation residential school survivor who found his way back to culture, now mentoring youth and building a media platform for Indigenous artists through Dopest Natives Alive.

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Kaydence: Vancouver's Indigenous Rap Phenom Dropping Fire with 'Blue Shoes'
Artist Feature
March 10, 2026·5 min read

Kaydence: Vancouver's Indigenous Rap Phenom Dropping Fire with 'Blue Shoes'

From Fort McKay, Alberta roots to Vancouver's independent hip-hop scene, Kaydence is the self-proclaimed 'youngest hottest Indigenous female rapper' proving it one verse at a time.

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Pooky G: The Unstoppable Queen of Indigenous Hip-Hop
Artist Feature
March 10, 2026·7 min read

Pooky G: The Unstoppable Queen of Indigenous Hip-Hop

Born Roni Gauthier, this multifaceted Cree artist from Edmonton's gritty Northside has transformed personal trials into triumphant anthems, blending street-smart grit with soul-deep healing.

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LOCA: Rising Raw from Vancouver's Underground – The Soft Grit of Emotional Rebirth
Artist Feature
March 10, 2026·5 min read

LOCA: Rising Raw from Vancouver's Underground – The Soft Grit of Emotional Rebirth

Vancouver's own melodic rap force delivers music that's soft yet gritty, emotional yet raw, capturing the messy beauty of falling apart and clawing back toward light.

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Curtis Clear Sky & The Constellationz: The Rise of a Modern Indigenous Funk-Hip-Hop Collective
Artist Feature
March 9, 2026·7 min read

Curtis Clear Sky & The Constellationz: The Rise of a Modern Indigenous Funk-Hip-Hop Collective

Few groups blend traditional spirit with contemporary groove as seamlessly as Curtis Clear Sky and the Constellationz. Their sound—sometimes described as 'IndigiFunk'—combines hip-hop, funk, soul, rock, reggae, and Latin rhythms.

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Sino General / Chief Rock: A Voice of Culture from Six Nations
Artist Feature
March 8, 2026·7 min read

Sino General / Chief Rock: A Voice of Culture from Six Nations

A traditional singer, dancer, and emcee from the Six Nations of the Grand River who has spent years building a bridge between ancestral traditions and contemporary hip-hop culture.

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Mista Chief: The Indigenous 'Reggae Redman' Bridging Nations Through Music
Artist Feature
March 8, 2026·6 min read

Mista Chief: The Indigenous 'Reggae Redman' Bridging Nations Through Music

Known by fans as the 'Reggae Redman,' Mista Chief has carved out a distinctive place in the Indigenous music movement as a performer, songwriter, and cultural storyteller whose work crosses musical boundaries.

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Natalia 'La Clover' Chacon: Indigenous Swagger from the Biggest Little City
Artist Feature
March 7, 2026·5 min read

Natalia 'La Clover' Chacon: Indigenous Swagger from the Biggest Little City

In the growing movement of Indigenous voices in hip-hop, Natalia 'La Clover' Chacon is carving out a lane that blends West Coast swagger, feminine confidence, and cultural pride.

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Ms. Shellz: From Survival to Strength — Building a Movement Through Music and Native By Nature
Artist Feature
March 7, 2026·6 min read

Ms. Shellz: From Survival to Strength — Building a Movement Through Music and Native By Nature

Before becoming a respected Indigenous hip-hop artist and the founder of the streetwear brand Native By Nature, Ms. Shellz lived through a difficult chapter of life growing up in Saskatchewan.

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Hellnback: A Pioneer of Indigenous Hip-Hop Recovering Strong and Ready for the Next Chapter
Artist Feature
March 7, 2026·6 min read

Hellnback: A Pioneer of Indigenous Hip-Hop Recovering Strong and Ready for the Next Chapter

For decades, Hellnback has been one of the most respected and influential voices in Indigenous hip-hop. Right now the veteran MC is focusing on something more important than music—his health.

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Hope From Status Krew: 'Real Rez Kid' Marks the Next Chapter for the Indigenous Hip-Hop Veteran
New Release
March 7, 2026·6 min read

Hope From Status Krew: 'Real Rez Kid' Marks the Next Chapter for the Indigenous Hip-Hop Veteran

Now he's preparing to release a powerful new single titled 'Real Rez Kid,' dropping March 10, 2026, a track that reflects both his roots and his continued dedication to the culture.

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Sk3ch Artist: Portland Rapper Highlighting the Underground With Better Rappers
Artist Feature
March 7, 2026·5 min read

Sk3ch Artist: Portland Rapper Highlighting the Underground With Better Rappers

Recently, Sk3ch Artist stepped into the spotlight with the release of Better Rappers, a collaborative album created alongside fellow Portland artist Indo Slim.

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Savelle Tha Native: The Pacific Northwest Rapper Carrying Indigenous Hip-Hop Forward
Artist Feature
March 7, 2026·5 min read

Savelle Tha Native: The Pacific Northwest Rapper Carrying Indigenous Hip-Hop Forward

One of the voices emerging from the Pacific Northwest is Savelle Tha Native, an Indigenous rapper representing the Siletz Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde while bringing a distinctly West Coast sound to the culture.

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DJ Big Rez: Lummi Nation's Voice on the Turntables
Artist Feature
March 7, 2026·5 min read

DJ Big Rez: Lummi Nation's Voice on the Turntables

One of the most recognizable figures helping push the Indigenous music scene forward is DJ Big Rez, a DJ, radio host, and event emcee representing Lummi Nation near Bellingham, Washington.

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AC3ONE: Spokane's Rising Voice in Indigenous Hip-Hop and Tattoo Culture
Artist Spotlight
March 7, 2026·5 min read

AC3ONE: Spokane's Rising Voice in Indigenous Hip-Hop and Tattoo Culture

One of the artists steadily gaining attention in the underground scene is AC3ONE, a rapper representing Spokane, Washington, whose music is beginning to turn heads within the Indigenous hip-hop movement.

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Dakota Bear: Hip-Hop, Decolonial Clothing, and the Rise of the Warrior Entrepreneur
Artist Feature
March 7, 2026·6 min read

Dakota Bear: Hip-Hop, Decolonial Clothing, and the Rise of the Warrior Entrepreneur

Across Turtle Island, a new generation of Indigenous artists is blending music, activism, and entrepreneurship to create powerful cultural movements. Among those voices is Dakota Bear.

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Native Hip Hop Society and Dopest Natives Alive Join Forces to Build an Indigenous Hip-Hop Juggernaut
Industry News
March 7, 2026·4 min read

Native Hip Hop Society and Dopest Natives Alive Join Forces to Build an Indigenous Hip-Hop Juggernaut

In a powerful move for the future of Indigenous hip-hop, Manik1derful and Rich Unk have announced a new partnership between Native Hip Hop Society and Dopest Natives Alive.

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Joey Stylez: The OG Pioneer Returns With God Bless the Warriors
New Release
March 7, 2026·5 min read

Joey Stylez: The OG Pioneer Returns With God Bless the Warriors

For more than a decade, Joey Stylez has stood as one of the most recognizable pioneers of Indigenous hip-hop. Now the veteran artist is stepping back into the spotlight with his newest project.

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Indo Slim's Game Recognize Game: The Apache Fire-Spitter Redefining Hip-Hop's Raw Edge
Artist Spotlight
March 6, 2026·8 min read

Indo Slim's Game Recognize Game: The Apache Fire-Spitter Redefining Hip-Hop's Raw Edge

In the misty streets of Portland, Oregon—where the rugged spirit of the Northwest collides with the unfiltered pulse of underground rap—emerges a force that's been quietly sharpening his blade for over a decade.

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