War Party is a Cree hip-hop group from Maskwacis, Alberta."So You Wanna Be a Rap Superstar?". Memewar Magazine, Issue 8, page 68. by Thor Polukoshko Its founding members are Rex Smallboy and Ryan Small. The members are ex-wife Cynthia, Karmen "Hellnback" Omeasoo, Bryan Omeosoo, and Tom Crier."Aboriginal youth turning to hip hop". Brandon Sun, via Newspaper Archives. November 27, 2002 - Page 7 The band's music combines rap rhythms with aboriginal themes and stories."Rap goes native". Medicine Hat News, via Newspaper Archives May 09, 1997 - Page 3
History
War Party was founded in 1995 by Rex Smallboy and Ryan Small. Three others later became involved."Hip Hop to the Bop Rez Style". The Nation, August 24, 2001 • By Brian Brousseau The group won the Canadian Aboriginal Music Award for Best Rap Album in 2001, and was nominated again in 2002 and 2003."Indigenous trailblazers who helped shape the Canadian music scene". Canadian Beats, By B Hartling on July 1, 2017"Aboriginal Music Awards launch festival". Medicine Hat News, via Newspaper Archives. November 30, 2002 - Page 19 As well, they were the first First Nations rap group to have a music video aired on Much Music.
War Party performed and recorded together for twelve years. The group then disbanded; Hellnback and Big Stomp of the group went on to form RezOfficial.
In popular culture The band's song "This Land Was Ours" is featured in Ari Gold's 2008 film Adventures of Power.
Discography The Reign (2000) The Greatest Natives from the North (2003) Exclusive Rez Cuts (2002) The Resistance (20??)
References