A Tribe Called Red: Ba Na Na Ft. Odario, Haviah Mighty & Chippewa Travellers
The Juno-winning Indigenous beats-making duo recruits a Polaris Prize winner and a CBC host/rapper to add vocals to this vibrant and upbeat celebration of Caribana.
By Kerry Doole
A Tribe Called Red - Ba Na Na Ft. Odario, Haviah Mighty & Chippewa Travellers (Independent): A Tribe Called Red has just released the official music video for its latest single, Ba Na Na. The clip follows guest vocalists Haviah Mighty and Odario as strangers who are unwittingly brought together by Toronto’s Caribana Festival (the bana referenced in the title), and end up joining forces to celebrate the day.
The good-natured and colorful video visually complements the track’s lyrical themes of coming together in celebration and enjoyment. in a press release, Haviah Mighty reflects that "I think something that culturally brings us all together is the vibes of Caribana. That carnival vibe; that fun, free-spirited, get together vibe; the energy, the floats, the parade. It’s kind of collective national pride."
Tribe’s Bear Witness adds that “This song is about the pure enjoyment of dancing and getting sweaty... but this is not without a purpose. This song is for the people who are working hard to make the world a better place than the one they were left with. This is for the fighters and the defenders. Part of being strong is also taking the time to stop, let go and release. Our DNA is of earth and sky.”
The video was produced by Jon Riera and Connor Illsley and directed by Jon Riera and Aidan Shipley from Toronto based company, COMBO BRAVO – who have teamed up with Tribe in the past for videos for Indian City and Suplex.
Musically, the track is another example of ATCR's ability to mix multiple musical genres in original ways. Haviah Mighty and Odario's contributions impart a hip-hop flavour, alongside Indigenous and tropical beats.
A multiple Juno Award-winning act (including as Group of the Year in 2018), A Tribe Called Red has been at the forefront of the Indigenous music explosion of the past decade.
ATCR is currently touring in Europe, with upcoming shows in Munich (Nov. 6), Pau, France (Nov. 7) and Paris (Nov. 8).
Publicity: Amanda McCauley, Indoor Recess
