ABOUT

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

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