7Th Generation
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7Th Generation

Band Hip Hop R&B

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"No Reservations"

7th Generation MC Kasp, who hails from Penticton in the interior of British Columbia, agrees that there are similarities between the neglected urban core and desolate reservations, except the population difference. The Cree Nation MC, who also goes by the name Rob Sawam, grew up in East Vancouver with his father, who was a drug dealer, user, alcoholic and pimp.

The 23-year-old Kasp moved to Pentiction to get away from the city streets and the life his father led. Initially attracted to hip-hop as an escape from reality, today Kasp raps to cope with and confront his past. His relaxed, informal flow complements the intense subject matter of his rhymes.

"My past comes out a lot in my music," he says, "because it makes me work harder. I don’t want to go back to where I was, I want something better for my stepson and if I have any kids of my own, you know I want better."

Kasp believes that Native youth need positive role models and he says he’s grown into his responsibility as one. He doesn’t drink or do drugs and has been sober for almost four years. It was a transformation that took place after he saw Native kids looking up to him.
"Different rezs you go to, there’s the same thing. There’s racism, there’s lots of alcohol, there are drugs and parties, so they need a positive influence. That’s what we’re hoping to be."

Kasp says Native youth are struggling to find an identity and they’re adopting hip-hop because they can relate to it. By doing so, they’re creating new beats and a new Native style. But Kasp also knows that hip-hop isn’t always a positive influence on Native youth, because mainstream hip-hop isn’t always leading them down the right path.

"The kids follow what they see, right, so they’re going to see some guy sipping on a 40, rockin’ all this ice and saying he’s dealing this and that and he’s smoking all this weed. They’re going to go out and do the same thing, and that’s what I’m not feeling."

No matter how remote a Native community is, TV and the internet are bombarding Native youth with the commercial rap du jour — essentially an ad for the material good life: decked out SUVs, expensive liquor and mansions with bikini clad women by the pool. The music that’s turning many Native youth on to hip-hop is also turning many Native rappers off.

7th Generation’s debut, Kasp Komplikations was nominated for a Canadian Aboriginal Music Award in 2002. The album is a first-hand look at the problems and issues facing Native youth mixed with an encouraging message. 7th Generation: Omega Project was released in September and is their first professionally recorded album, and the superior production has enhanced the listening experience. - Exclaim Magizine


"7th Generation"

1. What made you want to be a hip-hop artist?

DJ Combz: In the beginning I didn't, I just did it because I loved music. Then one thing led to another and people were asking me to perform, then a while after I hooked up with Kasp, one day on the beach in Penticton then we started rocking shows....
Kasp: My life just eventually led me right into it, it wasn't planned, it wasn't something I just felt like doing, it was just something I did.

2. How long have you been in the hip-hop scene?

Combz: 8 years and still countin'
Kasp: 9 years and still countin'



3. How do you think Native hip-hop incorporates into traditional native beliefs?

Combz: To start things off, we don't like to be classified as "Native HipHop." We are Natives doing HipHop. Don't get me wrong, we're proud to be Native but there's that whole stereotypical thing about Native HipHop. You're expected to rap about the sovereignty, politics, white people taking land, and all the injustice that has happened to our people. We are quite aware of all those issues and we are not trying to blow them off but at the same time music for us is about our life experiences and what has happened to us. We do have some songs with a Native flair but we don't focus on that issue alone. We cover a wide range of topics and we're not trying to cut down anyone in what they believe in and cover, but this is what music is to us.
Kasp: So groups doing that is cool they should keep doing it. And we do what we want as well. As for why HipHop music and any other music fits in so well with our people is cause of that steady drum beat. When we were in our moms womb we could hear that heart beat then when we come out there's that drum beat from our traditional music.

4. Do you think that hip-hop should only be for the American Black culture?

Combz & Kasp: No, HipHop is a Culture in its own. If you got skills, love the music and understand the culture then you are HipHop. It doesn't matter how baggy your jeans are, how much you talk like you're a gangsta or how hard you try to be. If you don't understand HipHop and love and live HipHop you will never be HipHop.

5. What kind of message are you trying to send out?

Combz: Positive yet fun at the same time, but we are not trying to preach because kids don't like listening to a preacher. But they will listen to someone that has gone through it and is around the same age. We are just real in everything we do.
Kasp: I want to be positive, but still have fun with all the songs we do. And by knowing the importance of being yourself and making smart decisions.

6. What does mainstream music mean to you?

Kasp & Combz: We will listen to mainstream music because we never limit ourselves to one type of music genre. Next question.

7. Would you rather be underground or mainstream?

Kasp & Combz: We'd like to have the underground rep, but pushing the limits of mainstream artists.

8. How has meeting and performing with mainstream artists affected your confidence?

Kasp & Combz: It just motivated us to do more and be more creative.

9. How far do you want to push your music?

Combz & Kasp: We want people to know about us worldwide and get sick of our name because they see it and hear it so much.

10. Where do you see yourselves in three years?

Kasp: I'll be chillin with my wife and kids and hopefully doing shows and still making music and participating in bigger award shows.
Combz: Doing shows, running a music studio, and running our record label -Crazy Cutz Records- getting in to acting, and just living a good life.
- AYN.ca


Discography

Kasp - Kompalakations
7th Generation - Omega Project
DJ Combz Presents Back To The Essence

Photos

Bio

Producer, DJ Combz, age 26 grew up on the Kamloops Indian Reserve where he saw the daily effects of poverty, drug related deaths and teen suicide. He moved to Vancouver where he evidently fell into pushing drugs. However, after seeing his friends and family deteriorate from the substances, he vowed to distance himself from that lifestyle. He began working on beats, scratching and dj’ing at local nightclubs before enrolling into the Centre of Digital Sound where he studied the business of music and music production. He now runs his own studio and is raising his first son in a drug and alcohol free environment.

Kasp, age 26 grew up on the streets of East Hastings in Vancouver where he witnessed violence, drugs, gangs and prostitution. He lived in poverty and abuse before he was taken from a father who dealt drugs and prostitutes. He began writing music at a young age to release his anger. He managed to leave the city and moved to a small town where he eventually completed his grade 12, helped start the city’s first rap crew, and then on to certify himself to work with high-risk and special needs youth. He has maintained complete sobriety for the past five years.

Nikon, age 34 grew up on the Gitsxan Reserve where the isolated lifestyle drug him into becoming part of an unhealthy lifestyle where he eventually lost control one night, permanently harming another person in order to protect an abused cousin. He spent the next few years in and out of jail to serve his time, and checked himself into a treatment centre where he found his sobriety and ability to sing and drum, and create music. He has gathered teachings from elders and spiritual people from all over the world. He tans and makes the drums that he beats on, beads, and gathers his own medicines to pray with, and shares what he has learned with all who ask.

Together 7th Generation has provided workshops and live performances to youth throughout Canada and the United States for the past 5 years. Their music shares their life experiences and how they maintained a positive lifestyle through their lyrics. Their words contain information that does not glamorize street or gang life in any shape or form. They speak of pride for their people and incorporate some traditional teachings; they touch on topics such as teen suicide, and have recently released a song specifically addressing tobacco misuse.

Although the group touches on some major issues and topics, they are a highly energized crew that loves to get crowd participation by having kids come on stage to dance or share their own lyrical talents.

7th Generation is the recipient of the 2001 EDDY Award for Social Change, nominee for the 2002 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, recipient of the 2002 BC Media Arts Award and two time winner of the 2004/2005 Scorpion Music Award for “Best Hip Hop group in the Okanagan.” They have released three CD’s to date and have performed all over Canada and the United States.

They are capable of providing a full 4 hour concert/dance or showcase two or three songs with the inclusion of a traditional hand drummer in a timeframe of 20-40 minutes. We also present a variety of youth workshops suited to the needs of your conference topics and specialize in “Expressing Yourself through Music: a creative and positive approach to addressing substance, physical and mental abuse, poverty, street life and growing up on the “rez””