Rex Smallboy raps in protest of the horrendous treatment of indigenous people in Canada to direct attention to the devastating impacts of colonialism. Rex’s music echoes generations of indigenous truth and perseverance. It is a call for justice to uplift and honour the spirit and strength of his people.
Rex is a proud sober father breaking cycles of abuse healing intergenerational trauma from genocide and colonization. Rex faced his own dark history of domestic abuse by turning to the Warriors Against Violence program for help along with getting professional psychological counselling. As part of his healing process Rex performs an apology song to address his harmful behaviour demonstrating the importance of taking accountability.
In 2001 Rex's determination as an artist and manager helped lead the group War Party to be the first indigenous rappers to break into the mainstream music industry in Canada. Their music video for Feelin’ Reserved (produced by Tom Crier) gained the group professional recognition and success after they appeared nationally on Much Music Rap City.
In 2004 Rex featured rap music legend Chuck D on the album War Party the Resistance.
In 2005 Rex performed at the Canadian Pavilion with War Party for the World Expo held in Nagoya, Japan. The group disbanded that year.
In 2009 Rex joined forces with the Southern Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (SOADI) to produce a youth rap album written to help prevent diabetes.
In 2018 Rex Smallboy was featured on the song Lost in the Cycle by Toronto rap artist Plex which successfully charted on the Indigenous Music Countdown.
In 2019 Rex worked with Nwe Jinan Studios teaching music production to indigenous youth in First nation’s communities.
In 2020 Rex was recognized for his work with War Party as a trailblazer in the SPEAK UP project with the National Music Centre in Calgary.
Rex Smallboy’s most recent release addresses the discovery of thousands of bodies of indigenous children at residential schools across Canada. Rex Smallboy is from Maskwacis and is now based out of Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh territory.
AWARDS
2001 Canadian Aboriginal Music Award for Best Rap or Hip-Hop Album
2002 Canadian Aboriginal Music Award for Best Rap or Hip-Hop Album
2002 Canadian Aboriginal Music Award for Best Video
FILM & TELEVISION MUSIC FEATURES
This Land Was Ourz (remix) ADVENTURES OF POWER
This Land Was Ourz, DREAMKEEPER
Stress Filled Days (unreleased) BLACKSTONE
I’m Feelin’ Reserved (remix) STRYKER
I’m Feelin’ Reserved (remix) A Windigo Tale
FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES
The 2005 World Expo, Nagoya, Japan
The 2005 United Nations Indigenous Language Conference Nagoya, Japan
The First American Festival at the Smithsonian Museum Washington, DC
Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival, Whistler, BC
Vancouver Music Folk Music Festival, Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Island Music Festival, Comox Valley
Folk On The Rocks, Yellowknife, NWT
North Country Fair, Driftpile, Alberta
Dreamspeakers Festival, Edmonton, Alberta
Midway Lake Music Festival, NWT
RADIO AND TELEVISION APPEARANCES
APTN Aboriginal Day Live 2013, Winnipeg, Manitoba
APTN First Music & the Arts, Toronto
APTN First Tracks, Winnipeg, Manitoba
APTN Contact Music Special, Winnipeg, Manitoba
The Sharing Circle First Nation Invasion, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Much Music Rap City, Toronto, Ontario
CBC Radio Prairie Music Awards Broadcast, Winnipeg, Manitoba
CBC Radio Broadcast Special, Prince Alberta, Saskatchewan
INDUSTRY EVENT PERFORMANCES
2001 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, Toronto, Ontario
2002 Prairie Music Awards, Winnipeg, Manitoba
CONFERENCE PERFORMANCES
Vision Quest Conference, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Fire Keepers Youth Conference, Calgary, Alberta
Saddle Lake First Nations Education Conference, Saddle Lake,Alberta
Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations Youth Conference, Edmonton, Alberta
National Indian Education Association Convention, Billings, Montana
GAMES PERFORMANCES
North American Indigenous Games, Minnesota
North American Indigenous Games, Victoria
North American Indigenous Games, Winnipeg
Saskatchewan Indian Summer Games