Video Doubleheader By HannahC Productions

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HannahC Productions hits us with a doubleheader of music videos from Kinnie Starr and Niska Napoleon.

Hannah Clifford aka HannahC is the brains behind HannahC Productions which has released a handful of music videos for artists like Kinnie Starr, Rellik and JB The First Lady. Originally from Prince George B.C., Hannah is a mixed Cree/Russian/Irish woman living now in Vancouver, Edmonton and Northern B.C.

This was a prolific week for Hannah releasing two videos into the Indigenous music culture-sphere. One is for Kinnie Starr's song Go Go See It and is a colourful expression of this fun song. The other is a promotional video for The Whiteflower Tour of Niska Napoleon. This post-tour wrap up takes us into some of the shows and backstage scenes of Niska's recent tour.

Both videos are laced with Hannahs artistic flavour and comedic styling.

If you want to checkout more of HannahCs video work, be sure to go to her YouTube channel: youtube.com/hannahCproductions

Or her Tumblr: hannahcproductions.tumblr.com

Watch Kinnie Starr - "Go Go See It"

Watch Niska Napoleon The White Flower

VIDEO: Plex - "I Can't Breathe"

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We've got a new video by hip-hop artist Plex featuring Lisa Charleyboy for his song I Can't Breathe.

Plex has been pushing his new album Demons for the last couple months, and now released a new video from that album for his song I Can't Breathe. Featuring Lisa Charleyboy (@UrbanNativeGirl), this production is a clean professional music video that was also edited by Plex. (Boom!)

Watch: Plex - "I Can't Breathe"

Don't forget to checkout some free Plex music here:  DOWNLOAD: Plex – “Chasin’”.

VIDEO: Hellnback - "Know the Ledge"

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Winnipeg-based seasoned hip-hop veteran Hellnback is coming at you with another block rocking jam including footage of a Bboy dance battle in his local urban setting.

If you don't already know about this heavyweight native MC, Hellnback aka Kool-ayd of Warparty aka Karmen James Omeasoo of Sampson Cree Nation, you should. This MC has been around "longer than most you cats breathin,' seen 'em come and go, every trend every season."

Since his days as the co-founder of Warparty, Hellnback has joined up with Team RezOfficial to continue pushing hip hop through a native lens. Backed by solid Bboys, a classic but bangin' hip-hop beat, his director and editor Nutman and H_Extended Clip, and his skill as a lyricist, HellnBack's new video is sure to get you moving. Keeps it real fi dem old hip-hop heads.

Watch: Hellnback - "Know the Ledge"

DOWNLOAD: Plex - "Chasin'"

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We have an exclusive new download of Plex's track Chasin' from his upcoming album Demons.

Plex is an award-winning Canadian hip-hop veteran based out of Toronto but originating from Edmonton's north end. Known first for his role in the rap collective Won 18, Plex has since surged out on his own solo ventures, receiving critical acclaim and awards on his journey.

Soon to be releasing his newest project entitled Demons, Plex shared with us this preview of one of the new tracks, Chasin', which focuses on the societal ailment facing the music industry's materialistic conscience.

This is another deadly banger by Plex, and will sure to be gracing your playlists this summer. Boom.

DOWNLOAD: Plex - "Chasin'"

Keep an eye on RPM for more info on Demons, and visit iamplex.com.

Cris Derksen and Kristi Lane Sinclair on 2-Er

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Electro-cellist Cris Derksen and smokey-folky Kristi Lane Sinclair are pairing up for the second year in a row on a Canadian tour - The Red Ride 2-Er.

With a kick-off party that took place in Vancouver last night, half-Cree Cris Derksen and Haida Kristi Lane Sinclair are now on their way to Toronto and back bringing their mix of music and style to Banff, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg (as part of 8 Days in May, eh!) and Regina.

In a recent interview with Music CBC, the girls talked travel and touring with Kim Wheeler. Like "What is the one thing you cannot live without on the road?"

Cris: Always pack a swimsuit, you never know when you're gonna be in a hot tub or by a lake, and sometimes wearing your undies in said scenarios just doesn't work! Also, swimming is great for stretching those car muscles after sitting for hours and hours. Kristi: Dry shampoo! Most days we would have to spend the whole day in the car and then perform right after. The ability to go from greasy to glam is a pretty awesome option!

Check out the full interview here: http://music.cbc.ca/#/blogs/2012/5/QA-Cris-Derksen-Kristi-Lane-Sinclair-talk-travel-and-touring

And check out the Red Ride 2-er dates:

May 18 Banff AB. House Show! Tanglewood Cabin,208 Beaver St 7pm $10 May 19 Edmonton AB. The Empress. 9912 – 82 Ave 3pm May 23 Ottawa ON. The Mercury Lounge w/ guest Bear Witness. 56 Byward Market Sq. early show. 7pm-10. $8 May 25 Toronto ON. Red Revue @ The Sister. 1554 Queen St W. 9:30pm May 26 Winnipeg MB. 8 Days of May Eh! Marlborough Hotel Hall. $35 May 28 Regina SK. Artful dodger. Doors 7pm Show 7:30. $15

Event details on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/345143342205544/

SPOTLIGHT: Beatrice Love

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Cree R&B singer Beatrice Love out of Sturgeon Lake, Alberta, is stepping into the music scene with a soulful voice and just as powerful determination.

Here at RPM we get a lot of hip-hop, rock, folk and even country artists in our midst, but not a lot of R&B artists. So when we find one, we are naturally very excited to share their music with you, and this is definitely the case with our newest find Beatrice Love.

Beatrice Love out of Sturgeon Lake in Alberta is a proud mother of three and also an emerging artist taking the scene by storm with her strong soulful voice and character. Now hitting the Top 40 charts around the country, Beatrice is aiming to break into the mainstream whilst breaking boundaries as an Indigenous woman in the music industry.

Getting her big break in 2010, Beatrice entered The Bounce Showdown, a contest held by 91.7FM The Bounce in Edmonton, and won the grand prize! That took her to Vancouver to record with Hipjoint Productions' Mike James and Troy Samson and from there they recorded Beatrice's first single I'm Not Your Typical Girl which hit the charts on The Bounce.

Growing up listening and singing to the likes of Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion, Beatrice's voice reflects these influences with its soulful edge and powerful foundation that will definitely be a fixture in Turtle Island's music scene in the future.

Now balancing her life as a mother and a musician, Beatrice is working on an EP and releasing new singles as she goes along. Keep on the lookout for more music from this Cree-girl, because in her own words:

I want to break some boundaries as a native woman with hitting mainstream radio. I want to represent for Aboriginals cause I am!!!

Keep up with Beatrice Love on Facebook and YouTube and listen to her singles at hipjointproductions.net.

Here's her the single I'm Not Your Typical Girl:

2011 Red Bull Thre3 Style Winner DJ Creeasian

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Cree turntablist DJ Creeasian wins the 2011 Red Bull Thre3 Style DJ competition in Edmonton. Watch the video of his winning set!

The 2011 Red Bull Thre3 Style Canadian Tour made its first stop in Edmonton at the Empire Ballroom for its first competition out of nine on its national tour of Canada. Cree turntablist, DJ Creeasian, took home the title for Edmonton's Best Party Rocker DJ. Out of seven other DJs, Matthew Wood aka DJ Creeasian, placed first and will move on to represent Edmonton at the National Finals in Toronto, November 12th, 2011.

RPM asked DJ Creeasian how it feels to be named Edmonton's Best Party Rock DJ? Especially considering how much of a huge competition the Red Bull Thre3 Style is. He answered:

"This is a HUGE accomplishment and it means a lot to me as an artist to be recognized.  There's nowhere but going up from here on. Forever a student, always learning."

RPM is proud to bring to you a video playlist of DJ Creeasian's winning DJ set at the 2011 Red Bull Thre3 Style DJ competition in Edmonton.

Congrats Creeasian!

Don't forget to check out DJ Creeasian on RPM Podcast #007: “Native Hip-Hop”