Artist Spotlight: A Tribe Called Red (with Music Video)

Bursting forth from Canada’s capital, native Producer and DJ crew A Tribe Called Red is making an impact on the global electronic scene with a truly unique sound.

Bursting forth from Canada’s capital, native Producer/DJ crew A Tribe Called Red is producing a truly unique sound that’s impacting the global electronic scene and urban club culture. Since 2010 the group – made up of two-time Canadian DMC Champion DJ Shub, DJ NDN and DJ Bear Witness – has been mixing traditional pow wow vocals and drumming with cutting-edge electronic music. Their self-titled album, released in March 2012, was long-listed for Canada’s prestigious Polaris Music Prize and included in the Washington Post’s top 10 albums of the year. In a sense, ATCR's music is the soundtrack to a contemporary evolution

of the pow wow: their Electric Pow Wow events in Ottawa showcase native talent and aboriginal culture, alongside an open, wild party. Within a couple of years they’ve become the face of an urban Native youth renaissance, championing their heritage and speaking out on aboriginal issues, while being on top of popular music, fashion and art. DJ Bear Witness doubles as the crew’s visual artist and creates stunning, political and sometimes humorous videos that incorporate film and pop culture references to native people and reclaim the aboriginal image. On May 7, A Tribe Called Red will release their second full-length album, Nation II Nation.

Welcome to Native Pulse... "The Heartbeat of Native American Entertainment"

As a child, I was lucky enough to grow up in a household and family full of musicians and music lovers alike. It was wonderful. Music and the Arts were second nature to me, and it wasn't until I got older that I realized not all families were like mine. As I progressed in my music education, I was fortunate enough to attend the Interlochen Arts Academy, where everyone around me loved and understood the Arts as much as I did and nurtured my talents to the next level.

As a Native American (Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina) I love listening and watching all forms of art and artists that represent my culture. Rather it be traditional dances and songs or a Native American comedy show, I love it all and am very proud to be Native American.

Unfortunately, I've noticed there are not many outlets for all of these incredibly talented Natives to be showcased, especially in the media. Every time there is an opportunity to showcase our talents, the appropriations of our culture and people (usually by non-natives playing natives) are bountiful, and it makes my heart drop. Stereotypes and misrepresentations run rampant—and at the cost of all the amazingly talented Native Americans that go unnoticed.

It is my intention, with this website, to help break those barriers and stereotypes and showcase how truly talented us Native Americans really are! Our People are strong. Our Culture is strong. Our Native American Pulse beats strong, and we are still here!


Hope you enjoy!

~Jeremiah