Literary Reflection: The Innovation of The Halluci Nation

 

Music is one of the most essential components of all indigenous culture, with the song and dance traditions of the first peoples being something that has followed them for hundreds of years. It is one of the oldest forms of tradition within these communities, and events like the Pow Wow are some of the most important celebrations of culture within indigenous circles.  

Consistent rhythms and unique imagery are used in first peoples’ music, with references to land, culture, and identity being important, spirited elements within all indigenous music. With the case of A Tribe Called Red – who are now known as The Halluci Nation, the group blends unique electronic elements for a modern take on traditional indigenous drum music, using thumping rhythms and complex melodies that span various genres and themes to make immersive and cultural music within a much more modern format. This helps to appeal to a newer generation and audience, and it contrasts a large majority of other indigenous performers, with something highly unique and “out there” for cultural music standards. It blends culture with something completely outside the box, and the mix of dance music with indigenous chants and drumming makes for a spectacle of culture. The mix of electronic music and Pow Wow drumming as well as traditional indigenous vocals makes their music some of the most unique indigenous music on the market, and it’s a hugely modern rejuvenation of something so potent and important to such a wide range of culture.  

The collective is from Ottawa, Ontario, and they are driven by culture while showcasing it in a new way. The group blends their own unique electronic dance music sound with something much more in-tune to the indigenous music that has been a part of first peoples’ tradition for hundreds of years, and the result is something truly captivating and wildly original. It’s something that has never been done before, and their music stays true to tradition while adding a modern spirit and the groups own flair – which makes it something that a much wider audience could very well enjoy, as you do not have to be indigenous to enjoy the thumping beats of The Halluci Nation. Their performances stand out particularly due to their innovation, and how they align with the kind of music that I have enjoyed since childhood; it feels like both sides of my family joined together as one, and it’s deeply powerful and moving to have indigenous spirit that transcends typical boundaries and genre standards. It’s Pow Wow turned rave, and everything is done in a striking way that stands out from the crowd deeply in the form of uniqueness and importance. Rarely do such unique musical acts emerge in the way that The Halluci Nation have, and the massive mix of culture and genres makes them an absolute must.