{{Short description|Canadian electronic music group}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Use Canadian English|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = The Halluci Nation | image = File:A Tribe Called Red Live In Vancouver, 2018.jpg | caption = The group in 2018, performing at the Commodore in Vancouver, British Columbia | image_size = | image_upright = | alias = A Tribe Called Red | origin = Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | years_active = {{start date|2007}}–present<!-- {{end date|YYYY}} --> | genre = Dance, First Nations music, ethnotronica | label = | website = {{URL|https://thehallucination.com}} | current_members = {{unbulleted list |Tim "2oolman" Hill |Ehren "Bear Witness" Thomas }} | past_members = {{unbulleted list |Jon "Dee Jay Frame" Limoges |Ian "DJ NDN" Campeau |Dan "DJ Shub" General }} }}
'''The Halluci Nation''' is an Aboriginal Canadian disk jockey collective that blends instrumental hip hop, reggae, moombahton and dubstep-influenced dance music with elements of First Nations music, particularly vocal chanting and drumming.<ref name="KinosUrban">{{cite news|first=Jesse |last=Kinos-Goodin |title=A Tribe Called Red's urban powwow |date=23 August 2011 |work=National Post |publisher=Postmedia Network |location=Toronto, Ontario |access-date=29 January 2026 |url=https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/a-tribe-called-reds-urban-powwow }}</ref> The group's music has been labelled as {{em|powwow-step}}, a style of contemporary powwow music for urban First Nations in the dance club scene; popularized by the media as a description of the band's unique style, the term originated as the title of one of the band's earliest songs.<ref name="KinosUrban" />
The group consists of Tim "2oolman" Hill and Ehren "Bear Witness" Thomas.<ref name=tribalspiritmusic>{{cite web |title=Bio of A Tribe Called Red |website=Tribal Spirit Music |access-date=18 July 2014 |url=http://www.tribalspiritmusic.com/powwow-music/96-a-tribe-called-red-page.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719164919/http://www.tribalspiritmusic.com/powwow-music/96-a-tribe-called-red-page.html |archive-date=19 July 2014}}</ref> The group was founded in Ottawa, Ontario, in 2007 or 2008 as '''A Tribe Called Red'''<ref>{{cite news |last1=Richards |first1=Chris |title=A Tribe Called Red: Music sends a potent political message with a subtle touch |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/a-tribe-called-red-music-sends-a-potent-political-message-with-a-subtle-touch/2013/05/27/cac5db46-c6ca-11e2-8da7-d274bc611a47_story.html |access-date=4 March 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=27 May 2013|archive-date=27 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127055636/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/a-tribe-called-red-music-sends-a-potent-political-message-with-a-subtle-touch/2013/05/27/cac5db46-c6ca-11e2-8da7-d274bc611a47_story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> ('''ATCR''')<ref name="Woloshyn2016" /> by Bear Witness, Ian "DJ NDN" Campeau and Jon "Dee Jay Frame" Limoges. Dan "DJ Shub" General joined the group shortly after its formation and Frame departed as the group shifted from live performances to recording. Shub left the group in 2014 and was replaced by Hill, and Campeau left the group in 2017. The group changed its name to The Halluci Nation in April 2021.
The group has released four albums and has been recognized with national awards including Juno Awards for Breakthrough Group of the Year (2014) and Producer of the Year (2017).
== History == The group was founded by disc jockeys Bear Witness, Dee Jay Frame and DJ NDN (Thomas Ehren Ramon, Jon Limoges, and Ian Campeau, respectively). They had been inspired by dance club events for Korean and South Asian youth in Ottawa, and wanted to organize a similar event for Aboriginal youth.<ref name="CanEncy">{{cite encyclopedia|first=Del|last=Cowie|url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/a-tribe-called-red|title=The Halluci Nation (A tribe called Red)|date=25 October 2021|encyclopedia=The Canadian Encyclopedia|access-date=11 January 2026}}</ref> They held their first event, called Electric Pow Wow, at Ottawa's Babylon nightclub in 2007<ref name="CanEncy" /> or 2008,<ref name="canadiandimension.com" /><ref name="Boles2013" /><ref name="CBCdubstep" /> with following events held monthly until 2017.{{efn|''The Canadian Encyclopedia'' states that Electric Pow Wow events were held on the second weekend of each month<ref name="CanEncy" /> while a 2021 announcement on the group's official Twitter stated that the parties were held on the first Saturday of the month.<ref name="HudsonName"/>}} The parties featured traditional powwow recordings, mixed with electronic music rhythms and genres such as dubstep, moombahton, and dancehall.<ref name="CanEncy" /> Shortly after the first party, they invited Canadian DMC champion DJ Shub (Dan General) to participate. The four worked well together and DJ Shub moved from Niagara Falls to Ottawa to join the group.<ref name="Gentile2013">{{Cite news|first=Jessica|last=Gentile|title=A Tribe Called Red Suggests You Remove the Headdress|date=8 August 2013|work=Thump|publisher=Vice Media|access-date=2018-08-07|language=en-ca|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-tribe-called-red-suggests-you-remove-the-headdress/|archive-date=2018-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807220609/https://thump.vice.com/en_ca/article/z45e88/a-tribe-called-red-suggests-you-remove-the-headdress|url-status=live}}</ref>
The group released a number of tracks of their DJing via YouTube.<ref name="ICTdebut">{{cite news|title=Download A Tribe Called Red's Debut Album for Free|work=Indian Country Today|date=29 March 2012|publisher=IndiJ Public Media|location=Phoenix, Arizona|url=https://ictnews.org/archive/download-a-tribe-called-reds-debut-album-for-free/|access-date=11 January 2026}}</ref> Frame left the group as it shifted from live performances to recording,<ref name="CanEncy" /> and as a trio A Tribe Called Red (ATCR) released their self-titled debut album as a free internet download in 2012.<ref name="Boles2013">{{cite newspaper|first=Benjamin|last=Boles|date=7 February 2013|title=A Tribe Called Red|newspaper=NOW|volume=32|number=23|url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=191133|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209071603/http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=191133|archive-date=9 February 2013|access-date=12 February 2013}}</ref><ref name="Cram2017">{{cite web|first=Stephanie|last=Cram|title=25 best Canadian debut albums ever |website=CBC Music|date=16 June 2017|url=http://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/17548/cohen-gould-buffy-25-best-canadian-debut-albums |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906183203/http://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/17548/cohen-gould-buffy-25-best-canadian-debut-albums |archive-date=6 September 2017}}</ref><ref name="ICTdebut"/> It was among 40 albums longlisted for the 2012 Polaris Music Prize.<ref name="Wheeler2012">{{cite news|first=Brad|last=Wheeler|date=15 June 2012|title=Cohen, Drake and Feist among the many on Polaris long list|work=The Globe and Mail|location=Toronto, Ontario|id={{ProQuest|2384296874}}}}</ref><ref name=longlist2012>[https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/1211442--polaris-prize-long-list-includes-lots-of-toronto-bands?bn=1 "Polaris Prize long list includes lots of Toronto bands"]. ''Toronto Star'', 14 June 2012. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119001541/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/1211442--polaris-prize-long-list-includes-lots-of-toronto-bands?bn=1 |date=19 November 2012 }}</ref>
In December 2012, ATCR released "The Road" on SoundCloud (p.27), where it garnered "upward of 50,000 plays within five months"<ref name="Levine2016"/> and nearly 300,000 plays as of August 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/a-tribe-called-red/a-tribe-called-red-the-road|title=The Road, A Tribe Called Red|website=Soundcloud|access-date=21 August 2018|archive-date=27 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227122736/https://soundcloud.com/a-tribe-called-red/a-tribe-called-red-the-road|url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source|date=January 2026}}{{relevance inline|date=January 2026}}
Their second album, ''Nation II Nation'', was released in 2013<ref name="longlist2013">[http://exclaim.ca/News/polaris_music_prize_unveils_2013_long_list "Polaris Music Prize Unveils 2013 Long List"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618090238/http://exclaim.ca/News/polaris_music_prize_unveils_2013_long_list |date=2013-06-18 }}. ''Exclaim!'', 13 June 2012.</ref> and was among 10 albums shortlisted for the 2013 Polaris Music Prize.<ref name="CBCshortlist2013">{{cite news|title=Polaris Prize shortlists Tegan and Sara, A Tribe Called Red|work=CBC News|date=16 July 2013|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/polaris-prize-shortlists-tegan-and-sara-a-tribe-called-red-1.1327617 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204002726/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/polaris-prize-shortlists-tegan-and-sara-a-tribe-called-red-1.1327617 |archive-date=4 December 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> The group also won several awards at the 2013 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards, including Best Group and Best Album for ''Nation II Nation''.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Tribe Called Red, George Leach and Nathan Cunningham big winners at Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards|website=CBC Music|date=19 August 2016|url=http://music.cbc.ca/#/blogs/2013/8/A-Tribe-Called-Red-George-Leach-and-Nathan-Cunningham-big-winners-at-Aboriginal-Peoples-Choice-Music-Awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301002442/http://music.cbc.ca/ |archive-date=1 March 2016 }}</ref>
Aided by the national media attention,{{efn|They have been featured on CBC Radio's ''Q,''<ref>"Pow wow-step with A Tribe Called Red". ''Q'', 20 June 2013.</ref> ''Canada Live'',<ref>"National Aboriginal Day". ''Canada Live'', 20 June 2012.</ref> and PBS' ''Sound Field'',<ref>{{Citation|title=Sound Field {{!}} What Does Electric Pow Wow Sound Like? {{!}} Episode 20|url=https://www.pbs.org/video/how-a-tribe-called-red-blends-pow-wow-with-electronic-music-zqymrm/|language=en|access-date=19 May 2020|archive-date=16 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416101552/https://www.pbs.org/video/how-a-tribe-called-red-blends-pow-wow-with-electronic-music-zqymrm/|url-status=live}}</ref> and have been playlisted on both CBC Radio 2 and CBC Radio 3 as well as BBC Radio 6 Music.}} the group toured across much of Canada<ref name="Hudson2013">{{cite news |first=Alex|last=Hudson|title=A Tribe Called Red Book Canada-Heavy North American Winter Tour |work=Exclaim! |date=18 November 2013 |url=http://exclaim.ca/News/tribe_called_red_book_canada-heavy_north_american_winter_tour |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516070837/http://exclaim.ca/News/tribe_called_red_book_canada-heavy_north_american_winter_tour |archive-date=16 May 2014}}</ref> and parts of the United States,<ref>{{cite web |title=A Tribe Called Red touring in support of second album |website=Aboriginal Music Week |date=9 April 2013|url=http://www.aboriginalmusicweek.ca/read,post/106/a-tribe-called-red-touring-in-support-of-second-album |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201220142/http://www.aboriginalmusicweek.ca/read%2Cpost/106/a-tribe-called-red-touring-in-support-of-second-album |archive-date=1 February 2014 }}</ref> as well as performing festival dates in the US, United Kingdom, Germany,<ref name="CBCdubstep">{{cite news|title=A Tribe Called Red's dubstep take on powwow music|work=CBC News|date=18 April 2013|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/a-tribe-called-red-s-dubstep-take-on-powwow-music-1.1351565|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202105547/http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/a-tribe-called-red-s-dubstep-take-on-powwow-music-1.1351565 |archive-date=2 February 2014}}</ref> Greece,<ref name="Devlin2012">{{cite news|first=Mike|last=Devlin|title=Dancing to a tribal rhythm |work=Times Colonist|via=Canada.com|date=10 November 2012 |url=http://www2.canada.com/story.html?id=7529972|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202124710/http://www2.canada.com/story.html?id=7529972 |archive-date=2 February 2014}}</ref> and Norway.<ref name="RidduRiddu">{{cite web |title=The Halluci Nation (tidligere A Tribe Called Red) |date=16 July 2022 |website=Riddu Riđđu festival |location=Samuelsberg, Norway |url=https://riddu.no/en/program/halluci-nation-previously-tribe-called-red |access-date=7 August 2025 |archive-date=15 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250715013018/https://riddu.no/nb/program/halluci-nation-tidligere-tribe-called-red |url-status=live }}</ref>
The group garnered two nominations at the Juno Awards of 2014, for Breakthrough Group of the Year and Electronic Album of the Year,<ref name="JunoNom2014">{{cite news |title=A Tribe Called Red, Monkeyjunk among Ottawa Juno nominees|work=CBC News|date=4 February 2014|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/a-tribe-called-red-monkeyjunk-among-ottawa-juno-nominees-1.2522746|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223185903/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/a-tribe-called-red-monkeyjunk-among-ottawa-juno-nominees-1.2522746 |archive-date=23 February 2014}}</ref> winning the award for Breakthrough Group. They are the first indigenous group to have won a Juno outside of the Aboriginal music category, which they chose not to enter as they wished to compete against mainstream artists.<ref name="Sterritt2014">{{cite news|first=Angela|last=Sterritt|title=Do the Junos still need an Aboriginal category |date=1 April 2014|work=CBC News|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/do-the-junos-still-need-an-aboriginal-category-1.2593560|access-date=28 January 2026}}</ref>
A Tribe Called Red have also collaborated on and produced one of the last known Das Racist songs, called "Indians From All Directions",<ref name="Minsker2013">{{cite news |first=Evan|last=Minsker|title= Listen to an Unreleased Das Racist Track, "Indians From All Directions" |work=Pitchfork |date=16 April 2013 |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/50352-listen-to-an-unreleased-das-racist-track-indians-from-all-directions/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906165608/http://pitchfork.com/news/50352-listen-to-an-unreleased-das-racist-track-indians-from-all-directions/ |archive-date=6 September 2014}}</ref> as well as the song "A Tribe Called Red" on Angel Haze's album ''Dirty Gold''.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Tribe Called Red team with Angel Haze for 'A Tribe Called Red' |website=CBC Music |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=19 July 2013 |url=http://music.cbc.ca/blogs/blogpost.aspx?modPageName=&year=2013&month=7&title=A-Tribe-Called-Red-team-with-Angel-Haze-for-A-Tribe-Called-Red&permalink=/blogs/2013/7/A-Tribe-Called-Red-team-with-Angel-Haze-for-A-Tribe-Called-Red |url-status=dead |access-date=22 September 2014 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060509/http://music.cbc.ca/blogs/blogpost.aspx?modPageName=&year=2013&month=7&title=A-Tribe-Called-Red-team-with-Angel-Haze-for-A-Tribe-Called-Red&permalink=%2Fblogs%2F2013%2F7%2FA-Tribe-Called-Red-team-with-Angel-Haze-for-A-Tribe-Called-Red }}</ref>
General (DJ Shub) left the group in 2014 and was replaced by Tim "2oolman" Hill (Mohawk of the Six Nations of the Grand River<ref name="OCbio">{{cite web |author=<!--staff writers--> |title=A Tribe Called Red |website=Ontario Creates |publisher=King's Printer for Ontario |access-date=28 January 2026 |url=https://www.ontariocreates.ca/success-stories/a-tribe-called-red }}</ref>).<ref name="Saxberg2016"/>
In 2015, they released pro-wrestling-themed EP ''Suplex'', with appearances from Smalltown DJs, as well as a remix of Buffy Sainte-Marie's song "Working for the Government".<ref>{{cite web |title=Buffy Sainte-Marie: "Working for the Government" (A Tribe Called Red remix)" |website=Exclaim! |date=2 July 2015 |url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/buffy_sainte-marie-working_for_government_tribe_called_red_remix |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916103943/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/buffy_sainte-marie-working_for_government_tribe_called_red_remix |archive-date=16 September 2019}}</ref> They won Best Music Video at the 2015 Native American Music Awards.<ref name="NAMA15">{{cite web|title= 15th Annual Winners|website=Native American Music Awards|access-date=29 January 2026|url=https://nativeamericanmusicawards.com/nama-15}}</ref>
In September 2016, they released LP ''We Are the Halluci Nation'', a concept album about banding together to fight oppression. Guest collaborators on the album include John Trudell, Narcy, Yasiin Bey, Lido Pimienta, Tanya Tagaq, Joseph Boyden, Black Bear,<ref name="Saxberg2016">{{cite news|first=Lynn|last=Saxberg|date=16 September 2016|title=Tribe Called Red launches 'lightning rod' album We Are the Halluci Nation|work=The Gazette|agency=Postmedia News|location=Montreal|publisher=Postmedia Network|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/tribe-called-red-launches-lightning-rod-album-we-are-the-halluci-nation|access-date=17 September 2016}}</ref> and Shad.<ref name="Woloshyn2016">{{cite journal |first=Alexa |last=Woloshyn |year=2016 |title=A Tribe Called Red's Halluci Nation: Sonifying Embodied Global Allegiances, Decolonization, and Indigenous Activism |journal=Intersections: Canadian Journal of Music |volume=36 |issue=2 |publisher=Canadian University Music Society |pages=101–109 |id={{ProQuest|2113734173}} |doi=10.7202/1051602ar }}</ref> The first voice heard on this album is Trudell's.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://atribecalledred.com/bio/|title=Press Kit - A Tribe Called Red|work=A Tribe Called Red|access-date=21 August 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=21 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821062616/http://atribecalledred.com/bio/|url-status=live}}</ref> The group wanted to celebrate contemporary Indigenous culture through this album.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nowtoronto.com/music/features/5-albums-that-influenced-a-tribe-called-red-we-are-the-halluci-nation/|title=5 albums that influenced A Tribe Called Red's We Are The Halluci Nation|last=Lindsay|first=Cam|date=30 November 2016|work=NOW Magazine|access-date=21 August 2018|language=en-us|archive-date=21 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821032022/https://nowtoronto.com/music/features/5-albums-that-influenced-a-tribe-called-red-we-are-the-halluci-nation/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The group won the Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award at the Juno Awards of 2017.<ref name="Saxberg2017">{{cite news |first1=Lynn |last1=Saxberg|first2=Peter |last2=Hum |title=Gord Downie wins three Junos at music awards gala dinner Saturday night |date=1 April 2017 |work=London Free Press |publisher=Postmedia Network |url=https://lfpress.com/2017/04/01/gord-downie-wins-three-junos-at-music-awards-gala-dinner-saturday-night |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823163741/http://www.lfpress.com/2017/04/01/gord-downie-wins-three-junos-at-music-awards-gala-dinner-saturday-night |archive-date=23 August 2017 }}</ref> In October that year, "DJ NDN" left the group for health reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ian-campeau-tribe-called-red-1.4360384|title=Ian Campeau, a.k.a. Deejay NDN, leaves A Tribe Called Red|date=18 October 2017|website=cbc.ca|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019041608/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ian-campeau-tribe-called-red-1.4360384|url-status=live}}</ref>
The group won the Group of the Year award at the Juno Awards of 2018.<ref name="JunoPathway">{{cite web |first=Brian |last=Wright-McLeod |title=Finding the pathway: A brief history of Indigenous artists and the JUNOS |website=Junos.ca|publisher=Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) |url=https://junoawards.ca/blog/finding-the-pathway/ |access-date=28 January 2026}}</ref>
In April 2018, the band performed at a TED talk during TED2018 in Vancouver, British Columbia.<ref>{{Citation|last=Red|first=A. Tribe Called|title="We Are the Halluci Nation"|date=26 October 2018 |url=https://www.ted.com/talks/a_tribe_called_red_we_are_the_halluci_nation|language=en|access-date=2020-05-19}}</ref> thumb|Edmonton, Interstellar Rodeo 2018
The group released a number of singles while touring in 2019. In April, the group released a remix of Keith Secola's song "NDN Kars". ''Exclaim!'''s Sarah Murphy described it as a "modern twist" on the 1990s hit.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Sarah|last=Murphy|title=A Tribe Called Red Release Remix of Keith Secola's "Indian Cars"|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/a_tribe_called_red_release_remix_of_keith_secolas_indian_cars|website=Exclaim!|location=Toronto, Ontario|language=en-ca|access-date=19 May 2020}}</ref> The group later released "The OG", which was their first original song since the release of ''We Are the Halluci Nation''.<ref name="Wallis 2019">{{Cite news|first=Adam|last=Wallis|title=A Tribe Called Red releases 'The OG,' announces Canadian concert dates |date=9 July 2019 |work=Global News |publisher=Corus Entertainment |language=en|access-date=19 May 2020|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5475277/a-tribe-called-canadian-tour-2019/ |url-status=live |archive-date=21 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521020030/https://globalnews.ca/news/5475277/a-tribe-called-canadian-tour-2019/}}</ref> A few months later<!--August--> the group released Caribana festival-inspired "Ba Na Na", which features Canadian rapper Haviah Mighty, singer Odario, and Chippewa Travellers.<ref name="SlingerlandBanana">{{Cite web|first=Calum|last=Slingerland|title=A Tribe Called Red Get Haviah Mighty and Odario for "Ba Na Na"|date=30 October 2019|website=-Exclaim!|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/a_tribe_called_red_get_haviah_mighty_and_odario_for_ba_na_na|language=en-ca|url-status=live|access-date=19 May 2020|archive-date=29 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329060833/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/a_tribe_called_red_get_haviah_mighty_and_odario_for_ba_na_na}}</ref> In September 2019, the band released "Tanokumbia", a single featuring Texan DJ El Dusty and Canadian Pow Wow drummers and singers, Black Bear.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Calum|last=Slingerland|title=A Tribe Called Red Team with Black Bear and El Dusty for "Tanokumbia"|date=5 September 2019|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/a_tribe_called_red_team_with_black_bear_and_el_dusty_for_tanokumbia|website=Exclaim!|language=en-ca|access-date=19 May 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=9 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509031714/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/a_tribe_called_red_team_with_black_bear_and_el_dusty_for_tanokumbia}}</ref> In 2020, the group released "Land Back" featuring Boogey the Beat and Chippewa Travellers.<ref name="CPlandback"/>
In April 2021, the group changed their name to The Halluci Nation, shortly ahead of the release of their fourth album. The band stated that the album, titled ''One More Saturday Night'', references their regular Electric Pow Wow parties in Ottawa on the first Saturday of the month for nearly a decade.<ref name="HudsonName">{{Cite web|first=Alex|last=Hudson|date=4 April 2021|title=A Tribe Called Red Change Their Name to the Halluci Nation |website=Exclaim!|language=en-ca|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/a_tribe_called_red_change_their_name_to_the_halluci_nation |access-date=22 April 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2025, The Halluci Nation became the first independent Indigenous artists from North America to surpass 100 million streams on Spotify.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DF_Evb2PSg_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== | title=Instagram }}</ref>
== Artistry == The group's music has been described as an innovative blend of genres which is difficult to characterize.<ref name="OCbio"/><ref name="Boles2013"/><ref name="Cram2017"/><ref name="Woloshyn2016"/> It is often described as a new genre with self-referential names like ''electric powwow'' (after their Ottawa dance parties),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jul/28/electric-powwow-tribe-called-red|title=A Tribe Called Red's electric powwow puts indigenous culture centre stage|last=Colhoun|first=Damaris|date=2015-07-28|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-08-07|archive-date=2019-08-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831114953/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jul/28/electric-powwow-tribe-called-red|url-status=live}}</ref> or ''pow wow step'' (the title of their first song).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/a-tribe-called-red-the-virus_us_583ed218e4b0ae0e7cdae61a|title=A Tribe Called Red Honors First Nations Culture With 'Powwow Step'|last=Brooks|first=Katherine|date=2016-11-30|work=Huffington Post|access-date=2018-08-07|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806194701/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/a-tribe-called-red-the-virus_us_583ed218e4b0ae0e7cdae61a|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="KinosUrban"/> The sound described under these terms is characterized by the mixture of First Nations pow wow and electronic music styles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/native-powwow-a-tribe-called-red|title=This is what happens when Native Powwow meets electronic dance music|website=PBS NewsHour|date=7 October 2015|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-07|archive-date=2018-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807190343/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/native-powwow-a-tribe-called-red|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2016/11/20/499733738/a-tribe-called-red-breaks-down-its-powwow-step-style|title=A Tribe Called Red Breaks Down Its 'Powwow-Step' Style|work=NPR.org|access-date=2018-08-07|language=en|archive-date=2018-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807220427/https://www.npr.org/2016/11/20/499733738/a-tribe-called-red-breaks-down-its-powwow-step-style|url-status=live}}</ref>
A broad sweep of contemporary dance music styles was brought to the group by its members. DJ Shub is a skilled turntablist with consecutive DJ champion titles (2007–2008<ref name="Devlin2012"/><ref name="KinosUrban"/>) and an affection for hip-hop. Bear Witness favoured Jamaican dancehall and DJ NDN had worked in electronic dance music.<ref name="Boles2013"/> Reggae, dubstep,<ref name="KinosUrban"/> house music,<ref name="Gentile2013"/> and moombahton have also been cited as influences.<ref name="Woloshyn2016"/> DJ NDN stated in a 2013 interview, "[a]ll we really did was match up dance music with dance music".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/11/28/the-next-hot-soundyouhearwillbepowwowstepaboriginalhiphop.html|title=The next hot sound? Powwow step, aboriginal hip-hop {{!}} Al Jazeera America|date=28 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228231325/http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/11/28/the-next-hot-soundyouhearwillbepowwowstepaboriginalhiphop.html|access-date=7 August 2018|archive-date=28 December 2017}}</ref>
Their 2012 release "The Road" is structured around a series of "drops", an important component in electronic dance music derived from Jamaican sound systems<ref name="Levine2016" /> as well as syncopated "trap beats" originating from dirty south hip-hop characterized with a booming bass drum and skittering hi-hats.<ref name="Levine2016" />
According to culture researcher Gabriel Levine, their second full-length record, ''Nation II Nation'', has been perceived as one of the leaders of an artistic Indigenous resurgence, exemplifying the remixing of tradition, bridging Indigenous history and futurity.{{r|"Levine2016"|p=29–30}}
Multimedia presentations which accompanied live shows from 2010 (and are the basis of some of the group's music videos), have been described as "a mashup of aboriginal stereotypes" including bizarre portrayals of indigenous people by white actors and in mainstream cartoons. These are assembled by Bear Witness, who has a collection of obscure DVD and VHS tapes.<ref name="KinosUrban"/>
==In other media==
The band was featured prominently in the 2017 music documentary ''When They Awake,'' by filmmakers P. J. Marcellino and Hermon Farahi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whentheyawake.com/musicians/|title=Musicians|website=WHEN THEY AWAKE!|access-date=24 December 2017|archive-date=25 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225145010/https://whentheyawake.com/musicians/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film was the opening night gala selection at the 2017 Calgary International Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metronews.ca/news/calgary/2017/08/30/full-list-of-calgary-film-festival-movies-announced.html|title=Full list of Calgary Film Festival movies announced - Metro Calgary|website=metronews.ca|access-date=2017-12-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225092117/http://www.metronews.ca/news/calgary/2017/08/30/full-list-of-calgary-film-festival-movies-announced.html|archive-date=2017-12-25|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The Halluci Nation co-composed music for the sitcom ''Rutherford Falls'', which premiered on Peacock in April 2021. The show centers on relationships between members of a fictional northeastern US town and a fictional Native American tribe.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Stuart |title=Sierra Teller Ornelas on the Roots of 'Rutherford Falls' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/21/arts/television/rutherford-falls-sierra-teller-ornelas.html |access-date=13 May 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=21 April 2021 |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505171519/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/21/arts/television/rutherford-falls-sierra-teller-ornelas.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The songs "R.E.D." and "Stadium Pow Wow (feat. Black Bear)" were featured on the second season of ''Reservation Dogs''.{{citation needed|date=January 2026}}
The song "Electric Pow Wow Drum" was featured in three episodes of the 2016 television series ''Chance''<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c8P-HCpfZc |title=A Tribe Called Red - Electric Pow Wow Drum CHANCE [S1-E4] - [S1-E5] - [S1-E10] OST |date=26 October 2017 |last=TV Series OST |access-date=2025-10-29 |via=YouTube |archive-date=8 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708123807/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c8P-HCpfZc&feature=youtu.be |url-status=live}}</ref> and in the trailer and soundtrack of the 2020 miniseries ''The Good Lord Bird''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sho.com/video/71552/official-trailer |title=The Good Lord Bird: OFFICIAL TRAILER {{!}} SHOWTIME |website=www.sho.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812130100/https://www.sho.com/video/71552/official-trailer |archive-date=2020-08-12}}</ref> The song "Sisters" was featured in the third season of ''Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0LLrXsn806vczIKvKMCP9A?si=0fd04c9839c24d9b|title=Spotify Playlist|website=Kipo Official Playlist |access-date=21 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203402/https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0LLrXsn806vczIKvKMCP9A?si=0fd04c9839c24d9b|url-status=live}}</ref>
The song "Sila" was featured in the trailer for the 2017 film ''''Thoroughbreds''''<ref>{{Citation |title=THOROUGHBREDS - Official Trailer [HD] - In Theaters March 9, 2018 | date=30 November 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPcV_3D3V2A |access-date=3 August 2023 |language=en |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803124259/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPcV_3D3V2A |url-status=live}}</ref> and "Stadium Pow Wow (feat. Black Bear)" was featured in the second trailer for the 2023 film ''Killers of the Flower Moon''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Polacco|first1=Laura|last2=Kumari|first2=Kopal|title=What song is featured in the 'Killers of the Flower Moon' trailer?|url=https://wegotthiscovered.com/music/what-song-is-featured-in-the-killers-of-the-flower-moon-trailer/|date=5 July 2023|access-date=17 November 2023|publisher=We Got This Covered.com |archive-date=17 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117185715/https://wegotthiscovered.com/music/what-song-is-featured-in-the-killers-of-the-flower-moon-trailer/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Activism==
Bear Witness explained in a 2013 interview that the group had formed to throw parties for their community, and that in itself had political aspects: "To take over and Indigenize the club space is a really political act [...] As First Nations people everything we do is political".<ref name="canadiandimension.com">{{Cite magazine|first=Sheldon|last=Birnie|date=8 September 2013|magazine=Canadian Dimension|language=en|url=https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/beats-against-colonialism-a-tribe-called-red|title=Beats Against Colonialism: A Tribe Called Red|access-date=20 August 2018|archive-date=21 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821032017/https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/beats-against-colonialism-a-tribe-called-red|url-status=live}}</ref> Bear Witness's mother had been an activist, and he drew upon that background when he created the multimedia shows for their parties, which "recontextualized stereotypical depictions of Indigenous peoples".<ref name="CanEncy"/>
In a 2013 interview, DJ NDN explained: "I'm Ojibway, Anishinaabe. The other two guys, Dan [DJ Shub] and Bear, are both Cayuga [...] Historically, we're enemies. So together, in forming this group, that's a nation-to-nation relationship".<ref name="canadiandimension.com"/> He put forward that nation-to-nation conversations and relationships have to be held federally between "the settler nations and the First Nations".<ref name="canadiandimension.com"/>
The group have been vocal supporters of the Idle No More movement,<ref name="Boles2013" /> a peaceful revolution launched in November 2012 to protest the Harper government's introduction of Bill C-45, the ''Jobs and Growth Act'', which critics, including many First Nations people, claimed threatened both the environment and Aboriginal sovereignty.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/idle-no-more|title=Idle No More|encyclopedia=The Canadian Encyclopedia|access-date=31 August 2019|archive-date=15 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915161214/https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/idle-no-more|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Levine, their song "The Road" provided a "catalyzing soundtrack to the Idle No More movement", advocating in favor of "Indigenous peoples reclaiming the land, moving to reverse the ongoing dispossessions of the settler state".<ref name="Levine2016">{{Cite journal|last=Levine|first=Gabriel|date=2016|title=Remixing Return: A Tribe Called Red's Decolonial Bounce|journal=Canadian Journal of Cultural Studies|volume=35|publisher=University of Toronto Press|pages=27–46|doi=10.3138/topia.35.27}}</ref> The track recalls journeys such as the 1978 Longest Walk protest march from Alcatraz to Washington.<ref name="Levine2016" />
A Tribe Called Red gained media attention in 2013 when they issued a public statement asking non-aboriginal fans to refrain from cultural appropriation by not wearing headdresses and war paint to their shows.<ref name="Levine2016"/> Afterwards, a number of music festivals enacted "no headdress" policies.<ref name="Gentile2013"/> Also that year, Campeau (DJ NDN) filed a human rights complaint against an Ottawa amateur football club that was using "Redskins" as its club name; the name was eventually changed to "Eagles".<ref name="KinosRenaissance">{{cite web|title=A Tribe Called Red, Wab Kinew, Tanya Tagaq on the indigenous music renaissance |website=CBC Music |date= 18 August 2014 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|url=http://music.cbc.ca/#/blogs/2014/8/A-Tribe-Called-Red-Wab-Kinew-Tanya-Tagaq-on-the-indigenous-music-renaissance |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301002442/http://music.cbc.ca/ |archive-date=1 March 2016 }}</ref>
In 2014, the band withdrew from a scheduled performance at the official opening ceremonies of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, citing concerns about the museum's depiction of indigenous human rights issues.<ref name="CanEncy"/> Also that year, they released "Burn Your Village to the Ground", a non-album protest song about the complicated aboriginal relationship with the colonialist connotations of Thanksgiving.<ref>[http://music.cbc.ca/#!/blogs/2014/11/Listen-to-this-A-Tribe-Called-Reds-powerful-new-single-Burn-Your-Village-to-the-Ground "Listen to this: A Tribe Called Red's powerful new single, 'Burn Your Village to the Ground'"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301002442/http://music.cbc.ca/ |date=2016-03-01 }}. CBC Music, 28 November 2014.</ref>
When the band toured on the international festival circuit after the release of ''Nation II Nation'', they met with indigenous peoples from around the world and learned of their strikingly similar issues in the colonial experience.<ref name="Saxberg2016"/>
The group is also activist through the expression of their music. "I think in our own community," Bear Witness told ''The National'' in 2013, "it's not something that people would have been ready for us to have been doing 10 or 15 years ago, to be sampling powwow music and bring it into clubs. I mean, that's really pushing boundaries."<ref>{{Cite news|title=A look at A Tribe Called Red, a successful group of aboriginal DJs|work=The National - CBC Television Toronto|id = {{ProQuest|1406212424}}}}</ref> Using music as a platform to educate, they have broken away from homogenous genres and at once promoted appreciation and respect for First Nations cultures while combating stereotypes and appropriation.{{according to whom|date=January 2026}}
"It's mind-blowing that this whole conversation that we've been having the past few decades about the portrayal of our people hasn't gone anywhere," said Bear Witness. "It hasn't changed."<ref name="The Globe and Mail, Toronto">{{Cite news|title=A Tribe Called Red reclaim their culture: Polaris-prize nominee using popularity to educate audiences about First Nations|work=The Globe and Mail, Toronto|id = {{ProQuest|1811383044}}}}</ref> However, the band is positive about making a change moving forward. "All those things that we're trying to talk about with Idle No More, with aboriginal rights, you're feeling it and you're getting it without a word having to be said. Because when you feel that, you're feeling what we all feel."<ref name="The Globe and Mail, Toronto"/>
In 2020, the band released "Land Back" as a free download. The song was intended to show support to the Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nations who were opposing the construction of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline and was hoped to be used in the associated protests.<ref name="CPlandback">{{Cite web|title=A Tribe Called Red release song 'Land Back' in support of Wet'suwet'en nation|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2020/02/28/a-tribe-called-red-release-song-land-back-in-support-of-wetsuweten-nation.html|date=28 February 2020|website=thestar.com|language=en|access-date=19 May 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806211844/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2020/02/28/a-tribe-called-red-release-song-land-back-in-support-of-wetsuweten-nation.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2024, the group released "Voices Through Rubble", featuring Saul Williams and Narcy, in solidarity with the people of Palestine. Music writer Steven Ward described it as "spotlight[ing] the shared oppression and violence endured by Indigenous populations, inflicted by colonizers, that's ingrained in both our history and cultural mythology".<ref>{{cite web |first=Steven |last=Ward | title=The Halluci Nation amplifies Palestinian "Voices Through Rubble" on their new single & Video feat. Saul Williams and NARCY | date=9 July 2024 |website=Grimy Goods |location=Los Angeles, California |url=https://www.grimygoods.com/2024/07/09/the-halluci-nation-voices-through-rubble-new-single-fsaul-williams-narcy/| access-date=27 September 2024 | archive-date=1 December 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201173944/https://www.grimygoods.com/2024/07/09/the-halluci-nation-voices-through-rubble-new-single-fsaul-williams-narcy/ | url-status=live}}</ref>
== Discography ==
===Albums===
Released as A Tribe Called Red: * ''A Tribe Called Red'' (independent, 2012) * ''Nation II Nation'' (Radicalized Records, 2013) * ''We Are the Halluci Nation'' (Radicalized Records, 2016) Released as The Halluci Nation: * ''One More Saturday Night'' (Radicalized Records, 2021)
===EPs=== *''Moombah Hip Moombah Hop'' (2011) *''Trapline'' (2013) *''Suplex'' (2015) *''Stadium Pow Wow'' (2016) *''Path of The Heel'' (2023)
===Singles=== *"Voices Through Rubble" (2024) *"Babylon" (2025)
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Award !! Category !! Nominee/Work !! Result !! Ref |- | 2012 || colspan=2 | Polaris Music Prize || ''A Tribe Called Red'' || {{longlisted}} || <ref name="Wheeler2012"/> |- | rowspan=5 | 2013 || colspan=2 | Polaris Music Prize || ''Nation II Nation'' || {{shortlisted}} || <ref name="CBCshortlist2013"/> |- | rowspan=4 | Aboriginal Peoples' Choice Awards || Best Group/Duo || ''Nation II Nation'' || {{won}} || rowspan=4 | <ref name="Kelley2016">{{cite news|first=Ken|last=Kelley|title=A Tribe Called Red blends Indigenous beats, vocals |date=13 August 2016 |work=Times-Transcript|location=Moncton, New Brunswick|page=E1|id={{ProQuest|1811044412}} }}</ref> |- | Best Pop CD || ''Nation II Nation'' || {{won}} |- | Best Producer/Engineer || ''Nation II Nation'' || {{won}} |- | Best Album Cover Design || ''Nation II Nation'' || {{won}} |- | rowspan=2|2014 || rowspan=2|Juno Awards || Breakthrough Group of the Year || A Tribe Called Red || {{won}} || rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web|title=2014 nominees|url=https://junoawards.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/2014-JUNO-Nominee-List.pdf|website=junoawards.ca|access-date=20 June 2017|archive-date=28 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328085036/https://junoawards.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/2014-JUNO-Nominee-List.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name="Sterritt2014"/> |- | Electronic Album of the Year || ''Nation II Nation'' || {{nom}} |- | 2015 || Native American Music Awards || Best Music Video || "Sisters" (ft. Northern Voice) || {{won}} || <ref name="NAMA15"/> |- | rowspan=8|2017 || rowspan=2|Canadian Independent Music Awards || Album of the Year || ''We Are The Halluci Nation'' || {{won}} || rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web|title=Home - Jim Beam INDIES with INDIE88|url=http://indies.ca/|website=Jim Beam INDIES with INDIE88|access-date=20 June 2017|archive-date=25 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425081735/http://indies.ca/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | Group of the Year || A Tribe Called Red || {{nom}} |- |rowspan=3|iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards || Video of the Year || rowspan=2|"R.E.D." (ft. Yasiin Bey, Narcy & Black Bear) || {{won}} || rowspan=3|<ref>{{cite web|title=iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards 2017 winners list|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/3538591/iheartradio-much-music-video-awards-2017-winners-list/|website=Global News|access-date=20 June 2017|language=en|archive-date=23 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623143256/http://globalnews.ca/news/3538591/iheartradio-much-music-video-awards-2017-winners-list/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | Fan Fave Video || {{nom}} |- | Best EDM/Dance Video || "Stadium Pow Wow" (ft. Black Bear) || {{nom}} |- | rowspan=3|Juno Awards || Video of the Year || "R.E.D." (ft. Yasiin Bey, Narcy & Black Bear) || {{nom}} || rowspan=2|<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mahjouri|first1=Shakiel|title=Canada's 2017 Juno Awards Winners Revealed!|url=http://etcanada.com/news/215470/canadas-2017-juno-award-winners-revealed/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403123045/http://etcanada.com/news/215470/canadas-2017-juno-award-winners-revealed/|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 April 2017|website=ET Canada|access-date=20 June 2017|date=2 April 2017}}</ref> |- | Electronic Album of the Year || ''We Are the Halluci Nation'' || {{nom}} |- | Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award || "R.E.D." and "Sila" from ''We Are the Halluci Nation'' || {{won}} || <ref name="Saxberg2017"/> |- |2018 |Juno Awards |Group of the Year |A Tribe Called Red|| {{won}} |<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://junoawards.ca/nomination/2018-group-of-the-year-a-tribe-called-red/|title=2018 GROUP OF THE YEAR {{!}} A Tribe Called Red {{!}} The JUNO Awards|work=The JUNO Awards|access-date=30 May 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=28 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228130804/http://junoawards.ca/nomination/2018-group-of-the-year-a-tribe-called-red/|url-status=live}}</ref> |}
==Footnotes==
===Notes=== {{notelist}}
===References=== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== *[https://thehallucination.com/ Official website]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Halluci Nation, The}} Category:Canadian dance music groups Category:Canadian hip-hop groups Category:Musical groups from Ottawa Category:First Nations musical groups Category:Canadian instrumental musical groups Category:Musical groups established in 2007 Category:2007 establishments in Ontario Category:Juno Award for Breakthrough Group of the Year winners Category:Juno Award for Group of the Year winners Category:Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award winners