Arts·Group Chat

How Indigenous hip-hop has pushed the artform forward

Elamin Abdelmahmoud explores Indigenous rap as a crucial outlet for social commentary across Canada with JB the First Lady, David Strickland and Sly Skeeta.

JB the First Lady, David Strickland and Sly Skeeta talk about their influences and experiences making music

David Strickland, JB the First Lady and Sly Skeeta
David Strickland, JB the First Lady and Sly Skeeta (Ernie Paniccioli, submitted by JB the First Lady, International Indigenous Hip Hop Awards/Facebook)

As part of Commotion's celebration of hip-hop at 50, host Elamin Abdelmahmoud explores the emergence of Indigenous rap as a crucial outlet for social commentary across Canada with Vancouver rapper JB the First Lady, Toronto-based producer David Strickland, and Winnipeg MC Sly Skeeta.

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.

WATCH | Official trailer for TRENDSETTER (ft. DillanPonders)

For more stories about the 50th anniversary of hip-hop — including Tom Power's conversations with some of the artists who witnessed and shaped the genre — check out Hip-Hop at 50 here.


Panel produced by Stuart Berman.