Other native rappers of note

A Tribe Called Red (pictured): Part of a thriving Canadian native hip-hop circuit, this Ottawa trio took its name from legendary (non-native) '90s trio A Tribe Called Quest and heavily incorporate pow-wow-style drums and chants in their songs (ATribeCalledRed.com).

Rez Rap: A grimy-sounding all-male crew out of the Red Lake Reservation led by the groups 100 Souls and NPC3, they perform around northern Minnesota and have a March 22 gig at the Loft in Minneapolis, 734 E. Lake St. (RezRapRecords.com).

Young Kidd: This Winnipeg rapper was the pride of his city's booming aboriginal music scene but was sentenced to three years last summer for firing a handgun in a club in 2009.

Other rappers with native blood: Yelawolf, Melle Mel, Apache and Wu Tang affiliate King Just.