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FYI

2023 Prism Prize Eligible Videos: 5 Must Watch Indigenous Clips

2023 is here and we have an exciting lineup of videos for you.

2023 Prism Prize Eligible Videos: 5 Must Watch Indigenous Clips

By External Source

2023 is here and we have an exciting lineup of videos for you. This month we are highlighting some very talented Indigenous recording artists who have made creative, beautiful and emotional music videos. These videos are sure to start the new year on a good note. 


 

Status/Non-Status - Mashkiki Sunset

Led by Anishinaabe-Canadian singer-songwriter Adam Sturgeon, Status/Non-Status is a Canadian alternative rock band. Mashkiki Sunset follows an animated paper bird who goes on a colourful adventure all while travelling in a van. The video is painted with shades of blues, purples, reds and yellows - springing life into the animation. 

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Credits:

Shot and Directed by Sarah Houle

additional support from Justin Skrundz

Van beaded by Mikaila Stevens/Flourish & Grow

Snotty Nose Rez Kids - Damn Right

The music video for Damn Right, by First Nations hip-hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids, is entertaining and full of energy. The video tells a story of a music group as they go through various performances, album covers, disagreements, interviews and more. It’s very fun to watch and thankfully has a happy ending with the group staying intact. 

Credits:

Director: Sterling Larose

Executive Producers: Chris Wilkinson, Miles Forster, Ryan Marchant

Production Company: Hadron Films

Producer: Ellie Cameron-Smith

Production Manager: Darci McDonald

Director of Photography: Kaayla Whachell

1st AC: Sam Barrington

2nd AC: Valeriya Khan

Robot Tech: Sam Weir

Gaffer: Phoenix Simon

Key Grip: Maddie Boutry Klingbeil

Swing: Martin Calvo

Production Designer: Tiana P. Gordon

Production Assistant: Megan MacAuley

Art Assistants: Louisa Birkin, Preston Reid, Amelia Simard, Anna Shearing, Nadine Watkins, Ciara Deery, Rachel Sugden

Stylist: Riva Pollard, Quinton Nyce

MUA: Xander Terrin Chen

Hair: Krystal Dumais

PA Ciara Deery

BTS Photo/Video: Jacob Harris

SNRK Mgmt: Brodie Metcalfe

Colourist: Dave Tomiak

Editor and Animation: Sterling Larose

Assistant Editor: Riley Orr

VFX: Efrain Perez

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Wolf Castle - Get Lit 

Mi'kmaw rapper Wolf Castle touches on classism in his video for Get Lit. Set in a real castle, this video is filled with gold-coloured decor, trendy costumes, Indigenous jewellery and fire dance moves.    

Credits:

Directed By: Jeff Miller

Dancers: Yasmin Rashid, Ariel Callias, Brandon Skeete, Brooke Conrod

DOP: Charlie Benoit

1st AC and Gaffer: Simon Carrier

2nd AC: Gabe Bibby

Costume Design: Maggie Jayne

MU and Hair: Kyla Nicolle 

Production & Design: Hella Lockhart

Tanya Tagaq - Colonizer

Canadian Inuk throat singer & songwriter Tanya Tagaq’s music video for Colonizer can really only be described as “powerful.” The video is an emotional response to the graves found on land previously used for residential schools. This video allows us to bear witness to the land where such atrocities happened and to never forget the lives lost. 

Credits:

Directed by: Leah Fay Goldstein + Peter Dreimanis

Produced by: Peter Dreimanis

Animation + Technical Direction: Luca Tarantini (AOK)

nêhiyawak - secret 

First Nations group nêhiyawak has made a fiery music video for their song secret. This video takes place in a forest set ablaze in the fiery hues of reds, yellows and oranges. Amidst the flaming forest, we see log drums being played as traditional Indigenous dancing is performed. It is a video that will take you on a rhythmic and multicoloured journey which you’ll never forget. 

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Credits:

Director: Casey Koyczan

Director of Photography: Casey Koyczan

Assistant Director: Peatr Thomas

Producer: Rob Bakker / NEON LEGACY

Editor: Casey Koyczan

On-Screen Talent: Tracy Richard (a.k.a. Falling Star) - Dancer, Miyawata Dion Stout - Dancer, Dreyden Flett-Roulette - Dancer, Jayden Flett-Roulette - Dancer, Leighton Roulette - Dancer, Amanda Smart - Drummer, Cierra Causey - Drummer. 

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Karan Aujla
Photography team: Ishmil Waterman, Lane Dorsey, Sasha Jairam/Billboard Canada. Styling by Veronika Lipatova, Nikita Jaisinghani, Aliecia Brisette. Makeup & Hair by Franceline Graham.

Karan Aujla


Chart Beat

Canadian-Punjabi Artists Ikky & Karan Aujla Make YouTube’s Top 10 Most-Watched Videos of 2023

The two artists, who were part of Billboard Canada's Punjabi Wave cover, sit amongst the top artists in the world on YouTube's list.

Ikky and Karan Aujla continue to take their place alongside the biggest artists in the world. After making the highest-charting Punjabi album debut in Canadian history this year, the two Punjabi-Canadian artists are now among Canada’s top most-watched music videos of 2023 on YouTube.

Two of Ikky and Aujla’s collaborations made the top 10 list, with “52 Bars” at No. 3 and “Take It Easy” at No. 8, both from their Four You EP.

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