Interview: Cody Coyote talks music, growth, & new video “Northern Lights”

As an aboriginal artist, you’ve been vocal about using hip hop as a force for positivity and change. How did you get into hip hop and what made you realize that your skills could help others?

Originally I started writing poetry and lyrics as an outlet for many life experiences that I endured as a youth. Growing up I was always listening to various kinds of music but Hip Hop was something that really appealed to me because of the lyricism that was found within conscious Hip Hop. When I was first introduced to a studio that was built at my old high school, I found myself in a safe and creative atmosphere where I could escape to work on my art form.

My friends and I used to go into that studio to jam with live instruments which eventually lead to us experimenting with beat making programs. After making instrumentals in the studio we began recording our vocals and putting our lyrics over the instrumentals we made. This was the beginning of my journey with Hip Hop.

After being a nominee at the 2015 Indigenous Music Awards for the “Best Rap/Hip Hop CD” and “Single of the year” categories my music career really took off. I was getting booked for shows a lot more and I was invited to be a guest speaker/performer for various events in numerous communities. While guest speaking about my journey with music, my sobriety and other topics I was able to inspire my audiences to follow a positive lifestyle. I remember getting emails and messages on my social media from people telling me that I helped change their lives for the better. This is when I began to truly realize how much I wanted to continue to help others and that it was possible with the skills that I had with music, storytelling and walking in a good way.

The release party for your new video Northern Lights is coming up this Saturday at Club SAW. What can we expect from the video, and the night as a whole?

During the production of the Northern Lights music video we really wanted to capture the environment that we were in and display the beauty of the Northern Lights. The locations where the music video was filmed were in various parts of the Yukon Territory and Alaska. As far as expectations go, we really wanted to reach our audience with a positive and inspirational message. Many Indigenous people believe that the Northern Lights are the spirits of our ancestors dancing in the sky. This was something that really embodied the overall message that we wanted to reach our audience with.

We want to lift our audiences spirits, in particular youth, to overcome any doubt that they may face in their lives, to chase their dreams and aspirations, to shine like the northern lights, to shine like our ancestors.

A portion of the proceeds from the release party will be going to Shawenjeagamik Aboriginal Drop In Centre operated by The Odawa Native Friendship Centre. Can you talk about the importance of their work?

I really wanted to ensure that a portion of the proceeds and that all donations would go to the Shawenjeagamik Aboriginal Drop In Centre because I strongly feel the work that they do is crucial for the homeless population of Indigenous people here in Ottawa. After volunteering for the Bannoc Bus program that was operated by the Shawenjeagamik Aboriginal Drop In Centre I saw first hand how important their work was for my community.

We drove around the streets of downtown Ottawa on multiple occasions handing out soup, Bannoc and warm clothing to those who needed it. I feel that the Shawenjeagamik Aboriginal Drop In Centre needs to stay open because they offer a safe space for homeless Indigenous people to learn about their traditions, food to eat, access to various kinds of programs, warm clothing and much more. With the centre running solely off of donations now, I hope to raise enough money and donations to help those in need.

You have overcome many obstacles growing up, many of which – like racism, drugs, and alcohol – are difficult to speak about. If you could send a message to young people struggling with similar issues today, what would it be?

If I could send a message to young people struggling with similar issues today it would be to move through life like a river. Overcoming those obstacles that are in their way, helping everything around them grow. My message to the youth of today is to never doubt yourselves, to focus on your dreams, aspirations, a positive lifestyle and walking in a good way. Focus on self love, love for others, love for the land and helping each other grow in a positive way.

Walk through life with an open mind and an open heart. Don’t ever stop learning and thriving to understand. You are the future generations of this world, remember to ask yourselves how do you want the future to be?

If you could collaborate with any artist or group alive today, who would it be?

Litefoot, The Roots, or Common.

You’ve been selected to play at Megaphono this year, an up and coming industry-focused festival that brings in representatives from across the continent. What is the next step for you in the evolution of your music career?

The next step for me in the evolution of my music career is to rock the stage at Megaphono this year and put on an amazing show for my audience! Then it’s back to the studio to work on my new EP entitled “Máámawi” (All Together) and have it ready for release in March, 2017!