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But the situation is changing… More awareness is being brought to the fact that many of these artists are being marginalised due to their background, and with that, the number of new listeners is steadily rising as these artists take their rightful place in the spotlight. Since 2019, the ADISQ gala has included a category highlighting Indigenous lyricists - a category that will be put to the public vote from the 2024 gala onwards.
Much remains to be done, however, in terms of airplay, as demonstrated by the recent request by musicians to the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) for a 5% quota of Indigenous music on the airwaves.
As such, Qobuz has highlighted a few must-listen artists from the native scene, as well as a 40-track playlist.
Elisapie
Elisapie Isaac, known as Elisapie, is something of a star among Indigenous artists in Quebec. In fact, she’s freed herself from that label and is now simply part of the music scene as a whole. The Inuk artist, born in Salluit, Nunavik, has been active in the industry since 2004, first with the duo Taima, before striking out on her own.
On her albums, including the iconic The Ballad of the Runaway Girl (2018), she switches between English, French and Inuktitut. Her mother tongue is at the heart of her fourth and most recent album, Inuktitut, on which she brilliantly and elegantly covers radio hits from the past, such as Cindy Lauper’s " Time After Time " and Pink Floyd’s " Wish You Were Here. "
Kanen
The young singer-songwriter Kanen, only 25 years old, has garnered some attention this past year, since the launch of her first full-length album entitled Mitshuap, which means home in Innu-aimun. The artist won two Félix awards at the Gala de l’ADISQ 2023, as Revelation of the Year and Indigenous Artist of the Year. Kanen, whose real name is Karen Pinette-Fontaine, is based in Montreal, but her roots are in Uashat Mak Mani-utenam, near Sept-îles.
" I miss home, " she sings on " Nimueshtaten nete, " a duet with Louis-Jean Cormier (she opened for Karkwa in Mont-Laurier on March 28). This relationship with distance and the city is woven into her indie-rock songs - sometimes biting, sometimes dreamy. A particular favorite is " Grande fille, " on which Kanen carries us along with her beautiful voice that channels such emotion.
Maten
The Maten trio, composed of childhood friends Samuel Pinette, Kim Fontaine, and Mathieu Mckenzie, has been a cornerstone of the vibrant Uashat Mak Mani-utenam music scene for over 25 years. In 2023, they unveiled their fourth album, Utenat, marking the inaugural release on the newly established Makusham Musique label, founded by Mckenzie’s father, the esteemed Florent Vollant. Their music, a fusion of classic folk-rock, intricately weaves together the community’s musical heritage with the virtuosity of guitarist Réjean Bouchard, drummer Alain Quirion, and bassist Jean-François Lemieux.
Maten’s talent shines thanks to the team behind them, complemented by the presence of guests like Black Bear - brilliant on " Nitepuatauat " - and Élage Diouf on the strange but superb " Ueshama. "
Anachnid
With her experimental, multidisciplinary approach, singer-songwriter Anachnid successfully bridges the gap between ancestral images and concepts dear to her Oji-Cree and Mi’kmaq origins and contemporary sounds. Real name Kiki Harper, the Ottawa-born but Montreal-based artist made her breakthrough in 2020 with her debut album Dreamweaver, which later made the shortlist for the prestigious Polaris Prize.
Anachnid, whose pseudonym is taken from her animal totem the spider, won the Félix prize for Indigenous Artist of the Year in 2021. She has just released Freak of Nature, an EP comprising three minimalist, instrumental tracks that enrich and broaden her electro, pop and rap repertoire. Whatever comes next is likely to be just as vibrant.
Laura Niquay
Singer-songwriter Laura Niquay is an Atikamekw artist from the Wemotaci community in Mauricie. Her hit single " Moteskano " is energizing, with a catchy chorus - a synthesis of modern vibrance and traditional song. This, her second album Waska Matisiwin, featuring " Moteskano, " was shortlisted for the 2021 Polaris Music Prize.
And rightfully so - the singer, with her slightly raspy voice, possesses a remarkable talent for creating enchanting melodies, and for infusing her rock songs with a diverse range of sounds. Laura Niquay’s music delves into profound emotional themes, exploring topics such as family, nature, and the struggles of life, all conveyed with honesty yet infused with a glimmer of hope.
Q052
It sounds like a code name, and in truth, it sort of is. Q052 is a blend of the first letter of his first name - Quentin Condo - and the official government number of his reserve in Gaspésie. The rapper from Gesgapegiag, of Mi’gmaq descent, delivers predominantly English rap tunes that exude an old school feel, interwoven with rock elements, reminiscent of Rage Against The Machine.
His latest release, " Vati-Klan, " channels a style that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Beastie Boys record. Condo identifies himself as an activist, and the sharp energy of his rap is right on par. Q052 doesn’t mince words and paints a sharp picture of society, particularly in its interactions with Indigenous peoples.