City Natives Return to Perform in Listuguj After 10 Years

In 2014, hip-hop group, City Natives performed at the Listuguj Pow Wow, and this year, on January 20^th, they were back to perform a free show at the Listuguj Community Development Center. City Natives member, Shelby Sappier said, “It’s always been love every time we come here. Mainly because we have a lot of close friends and family here. It’s just a good vibe all around.”

City Natives consist of three members, Shelby Sappier, Blake Francis, and Brandon Arnold. The group was formed in 2012 and has gained major success over the years. They are 16-time award winners, having won several Indigenous Music Awards, and in 2023, they were the recipients of Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year – making City Natives the first Indigenous artist to do so. The group strives to produce music with catchy beats and relatable lyrics and to incorporate their language and culture.

2024 will be a big year for City Natives. On March 2^nd, the group will be opening for rappers Ice Cube, and Xzibit, at the TD Station in Saint John, New Brunswick.  “All the hard work paid off. People are recognizing that we deserve to be on this bill. We’re rez kids from New Brunswick, and the biggest act is coming here, and we’re on that bill? It shows we’re on the right path,” said Sappier. The group is excited for this opportunity. Blake Francis said, “We’re on another level opening up for legends.”

The group will also be performing at The JUNO Awards on March 24th in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Sappier said, “The first step is getting in the door at the JUNOs, the next step is winning them.” Nominees for The JUNO Awards will be announced on February 6^th, and there is a possibility City Natives may be nominated.

Both Sappier and Francis stated that when the group first started, there were no East Coast Indigenous artists doing what they were doing at the time. The group is proud to have helped pave the way for others and wants to have an impact on the next generation. Francis said, “I just do what I do because I was once an Indigenous child who had no influence. As we excelled, I see Indigenous children looking up to us.”

In 2023, City Natives had 90,000 streams on Spotify. Sappier and Francis say they are looking to set the bar higher and continue giving the fans what they want. The group is grateful for their fans over the years and those who continue to support them.

Check out City Native’s newest album, “Still Chief’n” on all streaming platforms, and be sure to tune in to their performance at The JUNO Awards on March 24^th.

By Ann Marie Jacques