Snotty Nose Rez Kids – Born Deadly

By starrymag | May 31, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) We like to think our style of music is something that hasn’t been done before. There’s an Atlanta influence in our music because A LOT of our favorite artists come from there, but we think we’ve been able to take that sound and add our own twist. If you don’t know what trap music is google that! We call our music “Indigenous Trap.” Not because of where trap music originated but because of where we come from and how we were brought up in this modern world. We share a message Indigenous people across the globe can relate to, but with a modern/futuristic/electronic trap sound. We’re unapologetically ourselves, forever and always.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) We grew up on the Rez where all the old cousins were heads! EVERYONE listened to 2pac! So, naturally we did too and that planted a seed inside of us that made us want to be like him artistically. Writing poetry has always been a passion of ours and that turned into short stories and then making rap music! Something about the realness of 2pac made us realize how important it was to have a message in our music. Next to Pac was Lil Wayne, Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye and a lot of metal influence like Marilyn Manson, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and Metallica. From Nirvana to Alexisonfire we were there. More recently we’ve been drawing a lot of influence from artists like Earthgang, Brockhampton, Childish Gambino, J. Cole, Kendrick and Ski Mask The Slump God. I could keep going but I think you get it.

 

Q) Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

A) A beat is essential for setting our mood and energy. After a concept for a project is established, we usually need to figure out what type of vibe we want and the production helps us get there. Then, we go to work!!! We bounce instrumentals back and forth with themes of each song, usually laying hook ideas first and if we both like it then we go in!

 

Q) What is your song writing process? 

A) When we both lived in the same city, we used to link about four to five days a week just to hang out and write verses. We’d let a beat play, write by ourselves and record a demo. If we liked it in a week then we’d roll with it. If not, then back to the drawing board. For songs that we would go bar for bar, we would usually write that together by leaving the beat on loop and just freestyle through it. We like to sit with the demos, dissect everything and look for ways to improve. Nowadays Trybez is in Toronto and D lives in Vancouver, so we send demos back and forth and hit the studio when we’re in town together.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Real Deadly.” 

A) “Real Deadly” was the first song we wrote intended for the new full-length album, but we liked it so much we wanted to release it ASAP. So, we put it on the Born Deadly EP as the lead single and linked up with Ben Knechtel and Travis Didluck for the Video. “Real Deadly” is a saying that we grew up here and using it to describe things that are dope. The song is about finding your confidence after a lifetime of rejection from the society we live in. Self-love is a neglected concept because everything else around us seems so much more pressing and important, but this track is the end result of loving yourself for a hot minute and realizing you have what it takes to make it, no matter what you set your mind to.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to? 

A) It’s a real deadly song! Our fans feel connected to our music because they can relate. We speak a language they can understand. We speak from our contexts, but we tell a story that is relatable to a lot of people.

 

Q) Travis Didluck directed the video for the song. How does the video for the track play into the message behind it? 

A) We all put our heads together and fleshed out this concept. We went with a mad scientist vibe where we developed a “synthetic confidence” that when ingested would make us, you know, confident in ourselves. It leads into the second half of the video where the birds represent fierceness and power while the women represent strength and confidence. The message is that we all have greatness within us and it’s just about tapping into it.

 

Q) Your new EP dropped on April 3rd. How did you plan to celebrate with the world largely in lockdown? 

A) We released merch we had designed for our US tour that we had to postpone. Stay tuned to our socials for the updates (@)snottynoserezkids. It’s a blessing that we’re doing everything we dreamed of as kids. We’re looking forward to sharing this moment with our fans. We ain’t shit without you!

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away (or find “real deadly”) from your new EP as a whole?

A) The Born Deadly EP is definitely a vibe as a whole package, but if you listen to each song for what they are then you’ll notice we’re experimenting with different styles and trying things we haven’t done before. Our goal with this EP and the next releases is to really push ourselves to see what works and what doesn’t as we build toward our next album. We want to give our listeners something to vibe to no matter what their going through. Born deadly has a vibe for everyone.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Snotty Nose Rez Kids performance, once you can head out on the road? 

A) A brand-new set with more props, choreo and ENERGY, ENERGY, ENERGY.

 

Q) What songs off your Born Deadly EP are you looking forward to performing live?

A) All of them! Some are hype, some wavy, some are chill. “Real Deadly,” “Cops With Guns Are the Worst” and “TMZ” stand out because we wrote those for the crowds to rage to!

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future? 

A) We have a huge list of people we want to collaborate with, but we would have to say EARTHGANG and Jessie Reyes.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

Yung Trybez: The Weeknd’s new album because he’s on a whole different vibe! When you listen to After Hours and try putting a finger on it, you tend to overthink what he’s done because the synths make it feel retro but it’s definitely futuristic.Then, you listen to it as a whole and you realize it’s just The Weeknd. He’s in another world.

Young D: I’ve been listening to a lot of Martin Garrix and Anderson.Paak. I’ve been studying a lot of electronic music and am looking forward to incorporating those elements into my production.

 

Q) What advice would you give to others in BC looking to break into the music business?  

A) Stay true to yourself and your craft and don’t let rejection discourage you from where you need to be. Reach out to everyone and anyone who is willing to listen to you and take you seriously and build off those connections. Work on the business side of things; it’s just as important as the music. You’re going to feel times where you want to give up, but stay focused on the music. Tell your story the way you want it told and the world will gravitate towards it.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) Social media is super important because it makes us accessible where we otherwise wouldn’t be able to connect with fans across the world. It makes the world smaller and encourages more connection. We can give fans a unique look into our process and our lives on the road, in studio, backstage, etc.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work? 

Yung Trybez: THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US BECAUSE WE AIN’T SHIT WITHOUT YOU!!!

Young D: To all our day 1’s, day 2’s, yesterdays and today’s – THANK YOU! We love you all with a passion! Thank you for helping some Rez kids make their dreams come true. WE. AIN’T. SHIT. WITHOUT. YOU!!