We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chief Rock. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chief below.

Chief, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on would have to be my album ‘RedSkin Boy’. It really marked a significant turning point in my growth and evolution as a music artist. You see, for a long time I had been pigeonholed as just a rapper, and I was honestly starting to feel creatively stifled by that limited perception.

With ‘RedSkin Boy’, I was really able to break free and explore a much wider range of my musical abilities – from rapping to R&B-influenced singing to blending traditional elements with my hip-hop sound. It was a deeply personal project that allowed me to shed the rapper identity and show the world a more multifaceted artistic side of myself.

The backstory is that I had reached a point where I no longer wanted to be confined to one singular genre or persona. I felt I had so much more to offer, and ‘RedSkin Boy’ was my chance to truly showcase that. It was a liberating and empowering experience, pouring my heart and soul into an album that felt so authentically ‘me’. Even though it was a risk creatively, it ended up being the most meaningful work I’ve done because it allowed me to grow and evolve as an artist in a way that felt natural and fulfilling

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those who may not be too familiar with me yet, let me tell you a bit more about myself and my background. I’m Chief Rock, a multitalented First Nations artist who has made it my life’s work to seamlessly blend my traditional Pow Wow heritage with contemporary musical styles and community outreach.

I come from a long lineage of Pow Wow dancers, and from a young age I was captivated by the powerful movements, vibrant regalia, and deep cultural significance of this time-honored tradition. I’ve had the privilege of traveling to Pow Wow gatherings all over, honing my craft and sharing my passion for this indigenous form of artistic expression. But my artistry doesn’t stop there – I’m also an accomplished Pow Wow singer, fusing those traditional rhythms and melodies with more modern musical genres like hip-hop, R&B, and beyond.

Beyond just performing, a huge part of what drives me is the ability to give back and uplift the next generation. I’m incredibly passionate about passing on the invaluable cultural knowledge and teachings that have been passed down to me. Through interactive workshops and one-on-one mentorship, I work to empower Indigenous youth to explore their heritage, develop self-confidence, and find their own unique creative voices – both on the Pow Wow circle and in all areas of their lives.

In addition to my work as a dancer, singer, and mentor, I’ve also dipped my toes into a variety of other creative endeavors over the years. I’ve produced my own albums that showcase my versatility, blending my Pow Wow roots with contemporary sounds. I’ve provided music production and video services for other artists, helping them take their creative visions to the next level. And I’ve even ventured into web design, graphic work, and other forms of multimedia – always aiming to approach things in a way that’s fresh, innovative, and true to my multifaceted identity.

Ultimately, what I’m most proud of is my ability to be a true multipotentialite – someone who refuses to be boxed into one singular discipline or role. I’ve worked hard to cultivate a diverse array of skills and passions, and I’m constantly striving to expand my horizons even further. My goal is to be a source of inspiration and a guiding light for others, showing that you can blend your traditional roots with contemporary ambitions, and that you don’t have to limit yourself to one narrow path.

So that’s a bit about me in a nutshell. I hope this gives you a sense of who I am, where I come from, and the wide-ranging work I do. I’m excited to continue sharing my story, my art, and my passion for uplifting my community. There’s so much more I have to offer, and I can’t wait for you to see it all unfold.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Looking back on my creative journey, there are definitely a few resources that I wish I had tapped into earlier on. The one that stands out the most is grant funding.

You see, I’ve always been quite proud of the fact that I’ve been able to bootstrap my way through a lot of my projects and initiatives. I never wanted to rely on handouts or feel like I was taking away opportunities from others. So I just grinded it out, working various jobs to fund my studios, my equipment, my merchandise designs – you name it. And while that scrappy, self-made mentality has served me well in a lot of ways, I can’t help but wonder how much further I could have taken things if I had been more proactive about seeking out grants and other forms of financial support.

Even to this day, I’ll admit I still struggle with that mental block. There’s always this nagging voice in the back of my mind that says, “Who are you to think you deserve to be chosen for a grant?” It’s an imposter syndrome thing, for sure. And I know logically that these funding programs exist precisely to empower creators like myself. But there’s still that hesitation, that fear of rejection, that holds me back from really diving in and taking full advantage.

The one exception was when I was able to secure a music video grant a few years back for our song “Enter-Tribal 4 Push Ups.” That was a real game-changer, allowing me to bring together an incredible team of talent and truly elevate the production value. It was such an affirming experience, and it made me realize just how much more I could accomplish if I could just get over that mental hurdle.

So I guess my advice to my younger self, and to any other creatives out there who might be in a similar boat, would be to not be so stubborn. Do your research, find the grants and funding opportunities that align with your work and your community, and go for it. The worst that can happen is a rejection, but even that can be a learning experience. And the potential upside? Game-changing support that could take your craft and your impact to incredible new heights. It’s a risk worth taking, in my opinion

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

At the heart of my creative journey, the driving force that keeps me going day in and day out, is a deep desire to inspire and uplift the next generation – particularly Indigenous youth. You see, growing up, there was a distinct lack of positive, prominent role models from our communities represented in the mainstream. We were often pigeonholed into stereotypes or relegated to the fringes. And that lack of visible representation had a real impact, leaving many of us feeling like we couldn’t truly see ourselves reflected in the media and entertainment we consumed.

That’s why my ultimate goal is to shatter those limiting perceptions and show the world the boundless talent, creativity, and cultural richness that exists within our Indigenous communities. I want to be a living, breathing example that we indigenous folks have just as much to offer as anyone else. Music, dance, storytelling, mentorship – I pour my heart and soul into every facet of my work, with the sole purpose of inspiring the next generation to dream big, to take pride in their heritage, and to unapologetically claim their space in the spotlight.

It’s not just about me and my own personal success or accolades. It’s about opening doors, shattering glass ceilings, and paving the way for countless other indigenous artists, innovators, and leaders to rise up and share their gifts with the world. I want young people to see someone like me, to feel that sense of connection and possibility, and to know that they too can accomplish incredible things if they set their minds to it.

At the end of the day, my creative pursuits are simply a means to a greater end – using my platform to empower, to educate, and to elevate my community. It’s the kind of purpose-driven work that fills me with immense pride and truly makes every struggle, every triumph, every risk I’ve taken along the way worth it. This is so much bigger than just me. It’s about leaving an indelible mark and igniting a movement of indigenous excellence that will reverberate for generations to come

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chiefrockmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chiefrockmusic/#
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chiefy22
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sino-general-0279027a/
• Twitter: https://x.com/OnkwehonweL
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChiefyRock
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/chiefrock2k9
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@chief_rock_music

  https://chiefrock.hearnow.com/

Image Credits

Redskin Boy Album Cover.