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

Some artists make music.

Some artists paint walls.

Some artists become part of the culture around them.

For Dopest Natives Alive, CTRIK — aka Colin Trickey — is one of those rare creatives who does all three.

A Vancouver G-funk artist, muralist, bboy, painter, and hip-hop lifer, CTRIK has been moving through the culture with authenticity, respect, and deep creative roots. He is a friend of DNA, an Indigenous ally, and a collaborator of Rich Unk.

And if you have ever stepped inside DNA Studios, you have already seen his work.

"G-Funk never dies — and neither does real hip-hop."

He Helped Put the Spirit on the Wall

The iconic graffiti piece emblazoned across the studio wall — the piece that gives the room its colour, energy, and unmistakable hip-hop identity — was designed and painted by Colin Trickey himself. That mural is not just decoration. It is part of the DNA of the studio.

Every podcast filmed in that room, every song recorded, every conversation held, every artist who steps up to the mic does so in front of a piece of CTRIK's art.

That matters.

Because DNA Studios is not just a recording space. It is a cultural space. It is a home for Indigenous voices, independent artists, hip-hop conversations, street knowledge, community stories, and creative freedom.

CTRIK helped put the spirit on the wall.

A Real Ally, A Real Artist, A Real Hip-Hop Head

DNA recognizes CTRIK as an Indigenous ally because of how he moves.

Allyship is not about claiming someone else's identity. It is about respect. It is about showing up. It is about building with people, not taking from them. It is about supporting Indigenous creativity, Indigenous spaces, and Indigenous voices without trying to stand in front of them.

CTRIK has shown that respect through friendship, collaboration, and contribution.

He is not just someone DNA knows from the outside. He is part of the creative circle. He is a collaborator of Rich Unk. He is someone who has helped shape the look, feel, and energy of DNA Studios.

That is why this feature matters.

This is not a random shoutout.

This is a salute to a real one.

G-Funk Never Dies

On Friday, June 5, CTRIK celebrates his 40th birthday and the official release party for his new album, G-Funk Never Dies — live at Lana Lou's on Powell Street.

The title says exactly what needs to be said.

G-funk is not dead.

The West Coast sound is not dead.

The bounce, the basslines, the synths, the lowrider energy, the talkbox feel, the smooth hooks, and the laid-back confidence are still alive.

And CTRIK is one of the artists keeping that sound breathing in Vancouver.

For DNA, one of the standout moments is track 7.

Recorded at Dopest Natives Alive Studio

The album artwork notes that all songs were recorded in Vancouver, BC by CTRIK at Dopest Natives Alive Studio, with the project mixed and mastered by Shamat in Lyon, France, 2026.

That is a powerful detail.

It places DNA Studios inside the story of the album itself.

This is not just an album we are supporting from the sidelines. This is music connected to the space, the movement, and the creative energy DNA is building.

From Vancouver to France, from graffiti walls to studio sessions, from G-funk tradition to new independent releases, G-Funk Never Dies carries a sound and spirit that reaches beyond one city.

But it still comes home to the studio.

CTRIK's 40th Birthday & G-Funk Never Dies Release Party

This is the one to be at.

One night. A 40th birthday. An album release. A room full of West Coast funk, lowrider energy, and Vancouver's realest performers — all under one roof.

Mark Your Calendar

CTRIK's 40th Birthday · G-Funk Never Dies Release Party

Date

Friday, June 5

Venue

Lana Lou's

Address

362 Powell Street, Vancouver

Doors

8:00 PM

Cover

$20 at the door

Lineup

CTRIK, Cash J, Locahontas, Tiago Vasquez, Rick Flowz, Mister Mike the Sauce Bawse, and more

Look at that lineup. Cash J. Locahontas. Tiago Vasquez. Rick Flowz. Mister Mike the Sauce Bawse. And more. That is not a casual bill — that is a full night of the Vancouver underground showing up for one of their own.

This is exactly the kind of night DNA exists to push.

Twenty dollars at the door. Doors at 8. A stacked lineup. An album dropping. A milestone birthday. All in one room on Powell Street.

So here is the ask, plain and simple:

Pull up. Bring your people. Buy the ticket. Tip the bar. Buy the album. Show CTRIK and every artist on that stage that the community shows up when it counts.

Because the best way to honour an artist who paints the walls, records the sessions, and keeps the funk alive is to fill the room when he throws the party.

June 5. Lana Lou's. 8PM doors. $20.

Be there.

A Birthday Salute From Rich Unk and DNA

On behalf of Rich Unk and Dopest Natives Alive, we want to wish CTRIK a powerful happy birthday and major success on the release of G-Funk Never Dies.

We honour you for your music.

We honour you for your art.

We honour you for your friendship.

We honour you for your respect.

We honour you for your contribution to DNA Studios.

The mural you created is more than paint. It is part of our story. It is part of the backdrop behind the interviews, the songs, the conversations, and the movement we are building.

You helped make the studio feel official.

You helped give DNA Studios its visual identity.

And that will always be respected.

DNA Recognizes CTRIK

This DNA Ally Feature is our way of saying thank you.

Thank you for supporting Indigenous creativity.

Thank you for bringing your art into our space.

Thank you for standing with Rich Unk and DNA.

Thank you for keeping the funk alive.

Happy birthday, CTRIK.

Congratulations on G-Funk Never Dies.

From Rich Unk and the whole Dopest Natives Alive family:

Much respect, much success, and many more years of music, art, friendship, collaboration, and funk.

"G-Funk never dies — and neither does real hip-hop."