Saskatoon Indigenous-run hip hop record label aims to give young people a platform
An Indigenous-run hip hop record label in Saskatoon hopes to give young people a platform to inspire others.
Damien, who is from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, is one of the artists working with Stay Royal Records.
The 25-year-old father of one said music helped him learn how to read and write when he was in high school.
“I did it by reading lyrics of other songs and once I got better at that, then I started going through the thesaurus and dictionary,” Damien told CTV News.
“As soon as I got better, I started writing rhymes and then went more in-depth with the music that I was making.”
Damien, whose music focuses on storytelling, said he hopes to inspire others, especially his daughter.
“I hope that one day when she listens to my music, she’ll be like ‘yes, that’s my dad and I want to be like him.’ And hopefully I set the right example by chasing your dreams and going for what you really want to do and not listen to anyone else that tells you different.”
Stay Royal Records, a Saskatoon Indigenous-run hip hop record label, aims to give young people a platform. (Courtesy Stay Royal Records)
Stay Royal Records primarily works with young artists who are Indigenous and people of colour.
Co-creator Raistlin Morning Owl said the goal of the label is to help artists hone their skills and discover who they are.
“Our importance is not only for the Indigenous community, but the youth, providing them an outlet. That’s something that I didn’t have when I was younger, so to be able to give that back is something that’s very important to us.”
Morning Owl, who is 24, is the youngest artist signed to the label, but he said the goal is to eventually give back and fund programs for people as young as five.
“There’s a lot that I think the youth can learn and giving them something to do extracurricular-wise is huge because you know, you’re taking them away from other things that could be negative influences.”
Morning Owl said the label is always looking for new talent and that they get submissions from people across Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
Undergrind Skates in Saskatoon is rooted in local hip hop culture as it used to sell records.
Owner Sheldon Evacheski is a supporter of Stay Royal Records and said what they’re doing will help the local scene thrive.
“The way things are, the climate of our country right now, I think it’s super important to bring that brand of hip hop to the forefront,” he said.
“Especially giving a voice to the youth. Youth are our future so we need to foster that.”
For Damien, he said his two years working with the label have been memorable.
“It’s really motivational, really inspirational and hopefully I can bring what I have to the table and inspire others by doing it.”
Stay Royal Records is holding a show at Black Cat Tavern on Nov. 6 featuring some artists from the label to help bring the local hip hop community together.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.