Hip hop artist uses power of words to speak up for rights
- EFN Staff | March 31, 2017
Leadership comes in many forms. Creating an environment of inclusion and creativity, where people are free to find ways to express their stories, is just one of the many gifts shared over a 20 year career by award-winning hip hop performing artist Eekwol (Lindsay Knight).
Originally from Muskoday First Nation, Saskatchewan, Eekwol never imagined that she would turn her passion into a profession. “At the time I wasn’t really thinking ahead, I was just looking to keep life as fun as possible.” Commitment, motivation and determination contributed to building on her role in the hip hop community. “This has been a lot of hard work that goes beyond creating dynamic unique sound. You have to know about business, promotion, the industry. You have to have the dedication to practice your music over and over and over again. Performing is just one small part of the work that is involved.”
Through her original sound she displays her activist roots by living and creating as a supporter of both Hip Hop and Indigenous culture and rights. She has successfully completed her Indigenous Music focused Master’s Degree at University of Saskatchewan, which she has taken along with her many years of dedication to hip hop and created something unique and astounding to give back to the community.
“I love Hip Hop. I didn’t actively look to being an “Aboriginal” artist that was just always a part of me. I was interested in telling stories about urban life over a beat in a way that brings that culture to life. It was, and is, about how the music makes me feel.” Along with music and academic work, Eekwol frequently works with young people across the country as a mentor and helper. She achieves this through performances, workshops, speaking events, conferences and programs. “I have been really fortunate to travel around the province speaking to kids. Northern communities are the best places to be. People there aren’t as jaded, they are still capable of appreciation of the simple things in life. They help each other, live as a true community.”
Eekwol is promoting her 5th full-length album titled, Good Kill. She uses her music and words to spread messages of resistance, revolution and keeping the language, land and culture alive for the next generations. On March 11th at Village Guitar & Amp, Eekwol is being honoured as a fellow of the Northside Hip Hop (NSHH) archive In 2016, the NSHH started the “I Was There” project, a community activation project honouring the work of various hip hop culture pioneers in four cities across Canada. NSHH is a digital collection of Canadian hip hop history and culture. The site is home to a collection of artefacts and multimedia memorabilia which showcases a diversity of items from Canadian hip hop history, such as the first vinyl recordings, art, performances and literature from across the country. We are a ‘living archive’, capturing and documenting Canadian hip hop culture, past and present. “It is an honour on so many levels. To be thought of as a pioneer, being an indigenous woman, I hope to share my role and do my best as a fellow.” Eekwol will be adding her history to the archive by sharing old articles, shows, posters, picture, mixed tapes. She will be creating a blog of written lyrics and working to create an interactive website that tells a story and provides a glimpse into the history of the industry. The website will be accessible as an educative tool to engage youth in learning and expression through a unique format.
When thinking about challenges she has faced being a woman in the Hip Hop industry Eekwol says the biggest one she has had to overcome is misogyny. “In this industry in particular women are often objectified, looked upon as a side piece to men. I have always been up against attitudes of those who want to challenge me for not fitting the stereotype of the scantily clad woman.” Eekwol has been up to that challenge however. She has surrounded herself with positive role models, a lot of whom are women and family. “I freed myself from feeling like I had to work twice as hard to prove myself or gain respect/validity from men in the industry. When we do that, it takes away from our own talents and gifts.”
Eekwol’s message to other women who are looking to turn their passion into a profession: “Be persistent, work hard and never forget your roots.”