Eekwol Interview - 1st Page
1. How did you originally become involved w/ hip-hop?
Well, back in the day when I was a kid I loved Young MC, Maestro, Eric B.and Rakim, Kool Mo Dee, Big Daddy Kane, you know, all the old school stuff that you could get on Much Music. I was raised on Much Music. I actually liked all kinds of music, but I was hit with hip hop full force in about '93 or '94 when a friend of mine who DJ'ed gave me a mix tape with stuff like Yaggfu Front, Tribe Called Quest, Pharcyde, Souls of Mischief, Hieroglyphics, ODB, and De La Soul. I was hooked from then on. Living Legends are what completely turned me.
2. Where'd this name Eekwol come from, and does it have any meaning?
It actually spells Lowkee backwards, which was my original name. I switched it up mainly for the reason that some other female decided to start doing throw ups and tags all over Saskatoon using Loki. I thought they were too close and I didn't want anyone thinking I was hitting up less than average graff. If you check the yards you may catch some hoppers and boxcars with the real "Lowkee", but I quit writing about five years ago so who knows. Eekwol is a name that no one has (if they do they're straight biting!) and it represents equality in hip-hop. I'm talking gender, cultural background,etc. I don't want to be categorized because I'm a female, or Aboriginal, I wanna be recognized for my dedication, talent and love for this hip hop art. Eekwolity.
3. Biggest show you performed at?
I'd have to say The Canadian Aboriginal Music Festival Showcase in Toronto last November. Shared the stage with some artists I really look up to like Os12 and Kinnie Starr, Rez Official, Slang Blossom… Just a lot of young people doing their thing. Was the biggest powwow I’ve EVER been to. Whoa!
4. What is it that keeps you involved w/ hip-hop?
All I can say it the pure enjoyment of it. I love the mindset and dedication involved with making music. I find it very spiritual and therapeutic. I get high off hearing and seeing true hip hoppers creating and innovating in all the elements.
5. Who are some of the groups (nativewise) that you have performed w/ to date?
Os12 and Manik outta Vancouver, Rez Official, and a few others at Aboriginal gatherings here and there. As far as other genres go, we always seem to perform at native events with native rock/country bands.
6. Who (nativewise) would you like to perform w/?
Definitely Manik and Os12(Fresh Coast) again. They call themselves the Sunday Skool Dropouts and they’re on some next hip hop/political/spiritual type stuff and raising the bar for Native folks involved in hip-hop. Not afraid to speak their minds. I honestly don't know many other artists that share similar goals to mine with whom I'd think to perform with. I guess I'd go on stage with anyone if it would make the circle stronger.
7. What messages do you try to get across w/ your lyrics?
Just basically to live life the best way you know how and to not be afraid to think and be critical. We must question everything if we ever want to get anywhere. Also, I'm proud to be a female and I try to show that through my lyrics without crutching on the "female" words. This is why I don't care for the word, "femcee" cause it sounds like a sub-category of Emcee, when in actuality they are the same thing. I want young girls to see life as an equal stage with equal opportunity, not the same as guys, but of the same value.
8. How'd you overcome stage fright?
A couple beers usually does the trick. Naw, just jokes. When I start to feel that anxiety I just imagine that I'm in the crowd and think about why go to shows; to have a damn good time, and I see the performers having a damn good time and I just wanna get out to that stage and show the crowd a damn good time! Seriously, it works.
9. Who do you look up to and owe a debt of gratitude to?
Wow, so many people throughout life. I'd have to say the Creator and my family for sure, Elders whom I have listened to and gained understanding and knowledge from, my Innersoulflow crew cause I admire their talent and they keep me in line, and especially my man for his constant support and wisdom.
10. The craziness from rez to rez is rarely seen outside of those confines. How do you see the rez, and are there any changes you'd like to see happen across the board for all the rez's out there?
Hola, you're asking for a whole essay here! I could get into this in depth, but I'll just say that Native people on the rez have suffered through years of assimilation driven government policies, which has taken effect in phenomenal ways. It has become so complicated because people are divided spiritually (Christian vs. Traditional), economically (band system, dependency on government money), and socially (drunks, non-drinkers) within the rez and what was once important too many Native people has changed. Residential schools play a huge part in this. I guess I wish more people on the rez could educate themselves on the history and traditional ways of the past to gain a better understanding of where they stand. I just get so mad when everyone gets jealous at "councilor Joe's” new Ford F150 when, in reality, it's bought by government money siphoned outta some other area of funding. Too much corrupt activity and desires for material gains. It never used to be like that. I do see this kind of stuff in the city too. There's a street in Saskatoon jokingly called 22nd St First Nation cause it just a long row of apartments that house 99% Native people. It's crazy around there like a rez. To end this, I'm only speaking from what I know in SK as an urban dweller, so don't take me too seriously, eh?
11. What CD's (or tapes, or 8tracks, or records, or whatever) can't you do without?
There's just too many, but I'll just name a few off the dome: The CMA “All Over”, Freestyle Fellowship Innercity Griots, Neil Young Harvest Moon, Aceyalone Book of Human Language, Grouch Fuck the Dumb, PSC Extra Credit, King Koncepts, Ambershine Project, CCR Greatest Hits, Murs, In the Beginning…I could go on and on.
12. What are some of your pet peeves?
Girls who like hip hop for the wrong reasons, spitters, Sunday drivers, and personal space invaders.
13. At this moment, are you single, taken, looking, or just plain ole sly?
Pretty taken!
14. Wows (pow wows) that you would like to attend this year (2005)?
The usual ones around here, Muskoday, Mistawasis. I definitely plan to make it down the that huge Indian Summer one in Milwaukee. That was sick last year. I don't really go to powwows as much as I used to…refer to previous question for reason! Got snagged!
15. How are your lyrics written best? Under pressure, without pressure, at your leisure, with help from other artists, on your own?
Mostly at my leisure and on my own. The lyrics I write are solely my own, but sometimes my bro and producer, Mils may help me with a hook or something because he’s very creative and particular with his beats(true artist) and gets a vision for them. Basically, I love writing lyrics, so it's never under pressure. If I ain't feeling a track, I won't write to it.
16. Favorite show you performed at?
Probably opening for Mystik Journeymen cause they are defiantly a great influence on me and it was just all around fun.
17. Fans: love 'em, or learn to love 'em?
Love 'em cause they make me who I am on stage and they support us by props and buying our albums. I get a buzz off seeing someone in the crowd rappin along with our lyrics. Yea, I love 'em cause I too am a fan of other artists so I live in both worlds.
Interview Page 2
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