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Nation II Nation

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Nation II Nation
Studio album by
A Tribe Called Red
ReleasedMay 7, 2013 (2013-05-07)
GenreElectronic, hip hop, Aboriginal music of Canada
Length40:00
LabelRadicalized Records
A Tribe Called Red chronology
A Tribe Called Red
(2012) 		Nation II Nation
(2013) 		We Are the Halluci Nation
(2016)

Nation II Nation is the second studio album by Canadian electronic music group The Halluci Nation, released on May 7, 2013, by Radicalized Records, an imprint of Pirates Blend Records.[1]

Background

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At the time, the group was still performing under the name A Tribe Called Red. The album builds on the musical foundation of their self-titled debut album, combining powwow vocals and drumming with electronic music genres like moombahton, trap, and dubstep. Nation II Nation weaves together themes of Indigenous cultural reclamation and resilience with contemporary social commentary.[2]

The album features many collaborations with powwow drum groups and dancers from across North America, continuing the group's commitment to spotlighting Native talent. Groups featured include Black Bear, Sitting Bear, Chippawa Travellers, Smoke Trail, Northern Voice, Eastern Eagle, and Sheldon Sundown. Canadian hip hop artist Northern Voice is also featured on the track "Sisters".[3]

Nation II Nation peaked at number two on the Earshot National Top 50 Chart and number three on the Earshot National Aboriginal Music Countdown. It was nominated for Electronic Album of the Year at the 2014 Juno Awards.[4] The album's title track also won the 2014 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award for Best Powwow Song/Singers.

Themes

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As with the group's debut album, Nation II Nation interweaves contemporary social issues facing Indigenous communities with messages of cultural resilience and pride. Songs tackle hard-hitting topics like missing and murdered Indigenous women ("The Road"), struggles with substance abuse ("NDNs from the Rez"), and conflicts over land rights ("How I Feel").[5]

At the same time, the album emphasizes continuity between traditional Indigenous culture and modern Indigenous identities. Collaborations with powwow drum groups showcase the evolution of those musical practices, while songs like "Sisters" highlight how traditional teachings still guide Indigenous lives today.[6] As group member Bear Witness explained, the album aims to showcase that First Nations peoples "...are still here. We're contemporary and we're doing cool stuff."[7]

Critical reception

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Nation II Nation received positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 80, based on 5 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Reviewers praised the album's ability to blend modern musical styles with traditional Native vocals and drumming. Exclaim! called it "an inspired mix of cultures"[8] while AllMusic wrote that "these cuts blaze the trail between modernity and ancient traditions."[9] Critics also highlighted the album's political messaging, with Now stating that "...the trio tackle First Nations issues head-on over hard-hitting bass and crackling electronics."[10]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by The Halluci Nation

No.TitleLength
1."Bread & Cheese" (featuring Black Bear)4:23
2."Ndn Stakes" (featuring Sitting Bear)4:17
3."The Road" (featuring Black Bear)3:05
4."Different Heroes" (featuring Northern Voice)3:45
5."Sisters" (featuring Northern Voice)4:32
6."Electronic Intertribal" (featuring Smoke Trail)3:42
7."Pbc" (featuring Sheldon Sundown)4:15
8."Red Ribbon" (featuring Eastern Eagle)4:03
9."Tanto's Revenge" (featuring Chippewa Travellers)4:00
10."Sweet Milk Pop"3:32
Total length:40 min

Impact

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Beyond critical acclaim, Nation II Nation cemented The Halluci Nation's status as leaders in using electronic music to spotlight contemporary Native culture and social issues. Their performance of the song "Different Heroes" at the 2014 Juno Awards Gala brought a powwow to mainstream national television.[11] That same year, the group made history as the first Indigenous group to win a Juno Award in the Best Breakthrough Group category.[12] Additionally, Nation II Nation was nominated for Electronic Album of the Year the same year, losing to Guilt Trips by Ryan Hemsworth.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Nation II Nation". The Halluci Nation. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  2. ^ A Tribe Called Red bring "Nation II Nation" to Studio Q, retrieved 2023-11-27
  3. ^ The Halluci Nation - Sisters ft Northern Voice (Official Video), retrieved 2023-11-27
  4. ^ "Congratulations to the 2014 Juno Award Winners! | Recent News | Canadian Independent Music Association". cimamusic.ca. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  5. ^ Irwin, Nigel (2013-04-30). "Listen to A Tribe Called Red's New Record, 'Nation II Nation'". Vice. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  6. ^ Ball, David P. (2014-03-04). "Interview: Juno-Nominated A Tribe Called Red". David P Ball. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  7. ^ Irwin, Nigel (2013-04-30). "Listen to A Tribe Called Red's New Record, 'Nation II Nation'". Vice. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  8. ^ Dacks, David (2013-05-07). "A Tribe Called Red, Nation II Nation". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  9. ^ Javier Arnal González, Salvador Brotons, Symphony Orchestra De Balears Ciutat De Palma - Salvador Brotons: Symphony No. 5 "Mundus Noster"; Oboe Concerto Album Reviews, Songs & More, AllMusic, retrieved 2023-11-29
  10. ^ Boles, Benjamin (2013-05-02). "A Tribe Called Red - Nation II Nation". NOW Toronto. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  11. ^ "A Tribe Called Red - Different Heroes Live at the 2014 JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards". YouTube. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  12. ^ "A Tribe Called Red wins 2014 Juno for breakthrough group of the year | My Junos Moment". YouTube. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  13. ^ "A Tribe Called Red". The JUNO Awards. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
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