Frank Waln
Night Shield
B
Lakota artists score Wisconsin music awards nominations
By Karin Eagle
Native Sun News Staff Writer RAPID CITY –– Music has always been an important part of the Lakota culture, often used for storytelling and recounting past heroic deeds or acts of generosity and wisdom. However, it is through a completely different outlet that the true voices of the Lakota people are being shared – at a level where the younger American public can listen and learn. Current generations of Lakota singers are enjoying a newfound recognition among the non-Native population by entering into more contemporary genres, such as hip-hop and rap. These genres of music do not come without their stigmas. Rap music is more likely to be associated with street gangs and drug dealers. Rap is also reviled for its often explicit language that often crosses a border set by public opinion regarding the respect of women in general. However, there are musicians from all tribes who are making serious inroads in the mainstream and Native music scenes. Frank Waln, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, is just one of the many artists who are finding inventive, artistic ways to incorporate their Lakota heritage with individual musical stylings. Performing artists Night Shield and B. of Dakota South Records are well-known for being able to incorporate their culture in more subtle ways, yet still being able to reach out to their audience, which is predominantly Native, and creating a bridge between two cultures. An organization in Wisconsin, Indian Summer Inc., is now recognizing these three Lakota artists by nominating them for their upcoming Indian Summer Music Awards 2012 in the Hip-Hop category along with two other musical acts, Rezhogs and Flying Down Thunder with Rise Ashen. Night Shield is also nominated in the Rock category. The mission of Indian Summer Inc. is to educate, preserve and promote American Indian cultures, showcase the diversity that exists within tribal cultures, provide economic opportunities to tribal peoples, and strengthen communication and understanding. According to the Indian Summer website, the festival has enjoyed 26 years of hosting one of Milwaukee’s largest ethnic festivals, pulling in Natives from across both the U.S. and Canada. Frank Waln spoke with Native Sun News shortly after learning of his nomination. 2012 is not Waln’s first association with the Indian Summer Music Awards. “I had my first nomination last year with Nake Nula Waun (the group he performs with). This is my first time kind of putting myself out there as a solo artist,” he said. Some of the artists nominated are asked to perform during the festival, along with headliners such as Brulé, who has ties to the Lower Brule Reservation. “I am not sure about performing yet. Cody Blackbird knows more people at ISMA, and he said they approached him about us performing ‘Hear My Cry’ at the awards ceremony. Nothing is certain until you are onstage at this level in the industry,” explained Waln. When asked about the importance of this type of recognition, Waln said, “I think recognition from peers and people in the industry helps set professionals apart from people who are just messing around with music and don’t take it so seriously. I consider myself a professional and know for a fact that Night Shield and B. are professionals. I have nothing but love and respect for them.” “I am young, and they have helped set the platform I use to get my music out,” he continued. “These types of award ceremonies and recognitions also help open up more doors by bringing national and sometimes international attention to our music. Personally, being nominated for awards like this helps me remember that my music is actually worthwhile. I am my own toughest critic and struggle with that every day.” Gabe Night Shield, the artist and founding CEO of Night Shield Entertainment (NSE), has enjoyed more than his share of nominations and awards. A Native American Music Awards (Nammy) winner, Night Shield is one of the more recognized names in the Native music industry. Having enjoyed a well-recognized career, he takes all the accolades in stride. “It’s always fun to get recognized for your work, but a nomination isn’t the reason I make music,” said Night Shield, another Rosebud Sioux Tribe member. “I’ve lost way more awards than I’ve won, but I do get some satisfaction out of knowing that my work is being appreciated to the point that it’s being considered for awards.” Recent speculation driven by social media sites such as Facebook is that Night Shield, the artist, would be stepping down from his career in the near future. Night Shield responded to that speculation by saying, “I’ve always thought about retiring, ever since I put my first album out back in 2004. I said that was going to be my last solo album.” “But this music thing is an addiction, and it’s hard to just stop doing it, although I would like to grow the NSE record label more and have a few more artists on the roster that I could promote so I wouldn’t have to be front and center as much.” When asked about the lack of female artists in the Native American music industry, Night Shield said, “There’s room for everyone in this business, and I think having a strong, talented Native woman out there would really be fun to watch. Let’s hope that happens soon.” B., a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe, has enjoyed a rare level of success as a perfoming artist and as the CEO of Dakota South Records, or DSR. He is also instrumental in promoting the careers of several South Dakota artists. DSR set itself apart by incorporating all cultures that represent the combined South Dakota hip-hop and rap fanbase. Having only recently released his self-titled debut album, B. has actually been steadily gaining momentum in both the Native and mainstream music scenes in South Dakota. Performing with mainstream artists who visit the state as an opening act, as well as participating in several benefit and awareness shows at the various reservations, B. has increased his fanbase to include not only young Native American hip-hop fans but non-Natives as well. Well ahead of his album release, B. was gaining recognition among the local media, including network news stations and Native Sun News, which has featured a couple of stories about B.’s career as a musician and producer. The dates for the Indian Summer Music Awards 2012 Festival are Sept. 7-9 on Milwaukee’s Lakefront. For further information about the music awards, visit www.indiansummer.org. (Contact Karin Eagle at staffwriter2@nsweekly.com) Copyright permission by Native Sun News www.nsweekly.com
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