Hip Hop Blog

Fresh off the release of her debut project, Backwood Brat returns with the music video to her latest, “Changes (feat. P1)”.
With lyrics detailing her humble beginnings, the Black Lives Matter demonstrations, and drug addiction, “Changes” gives listeners a balanced view of Backwood Brat with the vulnerable yet fierce side of the rapper pouring out over this cut-off Give n’ Take. The “Changes” video, shot by Nikonkwame and edited by Zammer, gives viewers a fresh perspective of BACKWOOD’s life, showing the world that there’s more to the self-assured and eccentric artist than what meets the eye.
“You gotta listen to my lyrics. I know my flow cold as f**k but to understand you gotta hear it,” BACKWOOD raps on the girlNEXTdoor production, asserting her dominance before detailing her struggles with relationships, existentialism, and establishing herself in the rap game."
“Changes” also features a verse from fellow Treacherous Records rapper, P1, who showcases his critically acclaimed lyricism with bars that echo Backwood’s cutthroat demeanor.
“Changes" featuring P1 was released on BACKWOOD BRAT’s debut project, Give n’ Take, on June 22nd. Stream the project today, available on all DSPs.

TheRa11n (formerly known as Kara Jade) is an emerging Plains Cree Femcee who was born and raised in Winnipeg, MB and has origins in Moosomin First Nation in Treaty Six Territory, Saskatchewan, Canada. Her sound has been described as a futuristic blend of hip hop style lyrics over uber urban beats. Anything from pow wow step to dancehall to trap TheRa11n has something for you!
From a very young age The Ra11n knew she wanted to be a musician with inspiration stemming from artists such as Aaliyah, Left Eye, Missy Elliot and Foxy Brown. As a pre teen she used to record herself singing over tapes on her boombox and make dance routines with her childhood friends after school.
At age 15 she was faced with difficult personal trials and tribulations dealing with the loss of her father. Her dad was her musical influence, biggest supporter and always pushed her to pursue her talents. In the time that followed the loss of her father she immersed herself in writing songs and poems as a way to deal with the pain she felt.
After signing a modeling contract and having her first born son at the age of twenty she was well on her way to making a name for herself in the modeling industry but deep down she knew music was her real calling.
Fast forward to 2015 and Kara decides to put down her heels and pic up the mic to be heard instead of just seen. TheRa11n came out as “Kara Jade” (also known as Metis Monroe) in 2015 with her first track titled “Original” which was a play on the word “Aboriginal” and an ode to her people and the struggles they endure.
In 2016 she released her debut EP “Levels” which she recorded half in Toronto, Canada and the other half in Mandeville, Jamaica. Levels was received with critical acclaim in the first nations music scene, hip hop circles throughout the 6ix and broke through the dancehall video charts in Jamaica.
Since then she has re-branded herself as TheRa11n and has been doing numerous performances across Canada and Jamaica. In particular her 2019 headlining performances at the Pride Parade Toronto and her Yonge and Dundas square performance for indigenous history month garnered significant attention from her growing fanbase.

2020 started off with a bang for TheRa11n, charting her first number one single on the Indigenous Music Countdown Top 40 and #3 on the Jamaican dancehall CMP DJ’s Top 10 with “Whine Fi Mi Baby” featuring Jamaican dancehall star Sikka Rymes. Performing at the Royal Ontario Museums “ROM After Dark” Sisterhood Series and the International Women's Day Music Summit which showcased the female talent of the 6ix. Headlined the Red Revue at the Horseshoe Tavern presented by ANDPVA. She released the hit early 2000’s inspired summer anthem “Outside Ft. FB$” which peaked the Indigenous Music Countdown at #8 and hit 11k views.
During the Covid-19 pandemic TheRa11n has taken her performance online. She was selected for the RBCXMUSIC Emergeing Artist Showcase and was also re-selected as a featured artist for Indigenous Peoples Day. She has hosted four Covid-19 support watch parties for ANDPVA and headlined the online Brock University Pride Festival.

Despite the circumstances 2021 is also looking like another productive year for TheRa11n being nominated for Hip Hop single of the year, Video of the Year and Female Artist of the year at the 1st annual International Indigenous hip hop awards in Winnipeg, MB. TheRa11n also won “Best Female Hip-Hop Artist of the Year 2021” at the first ever International Indigenous Hip Hop Awards. She is currently working on her new single “Swing My Way” which is a remake and homage to the original that surely won’t disappoint. This year will also see the release of her highly anticipated sophmore album.

TheRa11n - Swing My Way is a summertime fine anthem with feel good nostalgic vibes and fun visuals dedicated to ladies night out!