The originators of powwow step, a new genre of music combining indigenous drum group samples with house music, Canadian electronic music group A Tribe Called Red’s two previous albums were both nominated for Canada’s prestigious Polaris Award and there’s no reason to expect anything less come awards season for 2016’s We Are The Halluci Nation. Based in Ottawa, Ontario and consisting of three DJ’s Ian “DJ NDN” Campeau, Tim “2oolman” Hill and Bear Witness, their unique sound is a powerful blend of serious dance music combining traditional First Nations vocal chanting and drumming along with the most modern elements of today’s EDM movement including moombahton, dubstep, instrumental hip hop and reggae. Set against a backdrop of pulsating rhythms and steady back beats courtesy of drum groups Black Bear, Northern Voice and Chippewa Travellers, the album also includes poignant vocal contributions from Jennifer Kreisberg, Maxida Märak, Tanya Tagaq, Saul Williams, Leonard Sumner, Lido Pimienta as well as poetry from the late John Trudell.
Key tracks: We Are The Halluci Nation, The Virus, Sila, Eanan, The Muse
