Award-winning Indigenous hip-hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids will perform at the Farquhar Auditorium on November 30.
Rappers Darren “Young D” Metz and Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce originate from the Haisla Nation in Kitamaat Village, a First Nations reserve in northwestern BC. Growing up, the pair bonded over their obsession with hip-hop and basketball, activities they claim kept them out of trouble. The mindset they learned in sports provided the drive and determination that has earned them accolades in hip-hop: if you are going to play the game, you play to win.
Snotty Nose Rez Kids, formed by Yung Trybez and Young D in 2016, was born out of the lifelong friendship between the two emcees, who were both drawn to music as an outlet for expression. Their second album release in 2017, The Average Savage, won them the Rap/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year award at the Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMAs), cemented them on 2018’s Top 10 shortlist for the coveted Polaris Music Prize, and landed them a 2019 Juno Award nomination for best Indigenous Music Album.
Their success has continued with 2022 WCMAs for Indigenous Artist of the Year, Rap/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year, and Recording of the Year categories—making them the only multiple-award winners of the night.
With the combined talents of Yung Trybez and Young D, Snotty Nose Rez Kids’ music blends trap beats with lyrics that challenge Indigenous stereotypes. The duo has become one of the leading voices in Indigenous hip-hop for a reason: their bold, unapologetic political messaging, enhanced by their lyrical prowess and cutting-edge experimental rap.
Snotty Nose Rez Kids are presented as part of the Farquhar’s Voices in Circle: Amplifying Indigenous Cultural Voices series. “We’re aiming to build trust through relationships fostered on respect and true sharing through the Voices in Circle presenting series,” says Ian Case, director for the Farquhar Auditorium. “We hope to create spaces that honour all the voices in the room.”
A moderated talk-back session precedes the musical performance, and private engagements are also planned.
The performance takes place on November 30 at 7 pm at the Farquhar Auditorium in UVic’s Jamie Cassels Centre (3800 Finnerty Road). Tickets ($30 general, $28 student/alumni) are on sale at the UVic Ticket Centre at 250-721-7632 or tickets.uvic.ca.