Turtle Island Rap is a moving documentary following three young Indigenous rappers as they navigate the highs and lows of the music industry. The film, directed by Alexandra Lazarowich (Cree, Lubicon Lake First Nation) follows the artists A$h Da Hunter (Yavapai-Apache Nation, Hopi), Travis Thompson (Navajo Nation), and Wiidaaseh (Anishnabek). We follow them as they experience excitement, disappointment, pride and grief while trying to create their art. Their reasons for going into the industry, and the way that they each define success vary, but the consistent undercurrent is that rap is integral to their lives.
Each of these artists are incredibly talented, and it is a privilege to see the thought process behind their craft, alongside the personal challenges they experience. I appreciated that the film shared the complexity of their experience navigating the industry while facing barriers of anti-Indigenous racism, sexism, and ageism, alongside the joy and beauty they embody while creating and performing.
At one point A$h Da Hunter shares that she doesn’t want to just be known only as a Indigenous rapper, but rather just a rapper. This highlighted a key challenge many artists who experience marginalization experience, in that they are not given space to be seen as fully realized people and artists but rather are reduced to just an identity. There is an unfair and insurmountable amount of pressure as these artists are framed as representatives of their communities, despite never asking for that impossible burden. So many artists want to be known, not necessarily for what they’ve gone through, but rather their craft. A$h Da Hunter’s powerful statement reverberates through the rest of the film as we navigate the complexities of each artist’s unique experience.
One thing that can be agreed upon at TIFF is that art has the ability to heal, process and move. Turtle Island Rap celebrates that act of creation, showcasing what it does for both the person creating it and those receiving it. The film did a great job at allowing us to get to know these artists, their challenges, their craft, and their passions. I ended the film absolutely invested in following their continued journeys, running to listen to more of their work.
Through excellent direction, compelling subjects, and fantastic music, Turtle Island Rap is a wonderful portrait of three young people trying to live their life and share their creative gifts. The film gives space for these artists to speak their minds and share their work. I really hope that this film gets buzz and that A$h Da Hunter, Travis Thompson and Wiidaaseh’s careers exponentially grow after audiences see this. They are powerhouse performers and deserve the recognition. Turtle Island Rap is absolutely worth the watch!
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