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Chief Rock
The Relentless Warrior
Produced by: Morph Productions
Genre: Hip Hop
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Produced by: Morph Productions
Genre: Hip Hop
Chief Rock's Relentless Warrior is definitely an example for the phrase “Never judge a book by it’s cover”, or in this case, a CD jacket. Looking at the Native American art on the cover and the name of the CD as well as the singer, one might be led to believe that this CD contains traditional Native American music. Surprise!
Chief Rock is a rapper from Ontario, Canada who began his performing career 12 years ago in Hamilton, the former Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) heartland of the Six Nations. Since then, he has been nominated for a Native American Music Award (NAMMY) and a Canadian Aboriginal Award for his achievements in the Rap / Hip Hop music genre.
Listening to this CD, I can certainly see why. Move over Eminem, this is one angry rapper who’s possibly seen more strife than you have! You can tell Chief Rock is an angry rapper just by reading some of the titles of his songs – Colourless Hand, You Make Me Sick, No Love.
Yes, Chief Rock raps about his hard life – something that isn’t new in the rap / hip hop industry. However, what makes Chief Rock an individual that stands out among the rest are the topics he chooses and the music he selects as background to his rap. For instance, Colourless Hand (which happens to be my favorite track) begins and ends with music performed by Native American performers, Northern Cree. The song itself is about how Native Americans was forced out of their land and how Native Americans are treated like they are aliens when in fact, they were the original natives to the country.
Intersped with the rap tracks on this CD are tracks that contain Native American music performed by Bill Crouse. An excellent addition to an already enjoyable CD, I am definitely calling this one a keeper and recommending it to all my friends. Chief Rock without a doubt definitely deserves some play on the mainstream rap / hip hop stations!
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