JOEY STYLES

Hometown

Saskatoon

 

Background

Native (Cree, Denee, Blackfoot) French Norwegian and Mexican Native

 

What would you be doing now if it weren’t making music?

I’d be out getting into trouble and I’d be up to no good, looking for something; my identity is as an artist but most of my friends find their identities as gang members, If I wasn’t into music I’d definitely be knee deep into that.

 

What Inspires you?

Life and my Grandmother, she is a beautiful traditional Plains Cree Native American. She only speaks Cree, its like she’s a dying breed.  My Grandmother is a strong influence for me.

 

What do you want to be remembered for?

Two years ago I lost my uncle.  I went to the morgue and we were looking at his simple belongings, all he had was a couple bags you know of his clothes and stuff.  But all he really left behind is 6 kids who didn’t have a Dad. I don’t want to be remembered as a guy who was a Gangster and rapped. I want to be remembered as someone who did something good for his people.  So now I live my life, and carry my self how I would like to be remembered.

 

What issues is important to you?

Residential schools. My Uncles and Grandparents were abused in that system, now the problems are in our community with Native Gangs, problems with Drugs and Alcohol and Sexual and Physical Abuse.  In order to heal we have to acknowledge that there is something wrong so we can fix it.

 

How do you think your music influences young people?

Definitely, you know even though I’m just and artist and I know I can’t be held in the same breath as Native Leaders like Sitting Bull, Geronimo or Crazy Horse. But I’m more searched for on the internet than any Native American who ever lived.  A lot of the youth listen to me more than the elders because I am like them. I grew up in similar circumstances so they relate to me.  So with my music the youth look up to me, they pay me attention. It’s a gift and a curse because its great to have everyone watching me, at the same time its a lot of pressure because I don’t want to be a bad example for the youth and steer them in a negative direction.  Now that I’m in the spotlight I can’t make mistakes ‘cause the kids will follow in my footsteps.  So I have to be very careful of what I do and say now.  

 

Is there a social cause that is really important to you?

I want to stop Native on Native crime.  I want people to be parents and look after their kids so their kids don’t have to grow up the way their parents did, and experience all the negative things their parents did.

 

If you could change something what would it be?

Everyone would be colour blind. We could all be Gray, there would be no hate, no war.  We all believe the same things but have different ways of living and giving recognition.    If we could all put aside our differences we could all get along.

 

Recommended CD’s:

I love Ray Charles - his music makes me feel good about myself.  I listen to his music often to start my day, it’s like a healthy breakfast.

 

Recommended Movie:

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee -  if you want to understand about residential schools and the history that’s a really good movie to watch.