Hellnback

About

Recording Artist & First Nations community role model Hellnback releases his first solo record, #FOE + Family over Everything and received two nominations for Best Hip Hop Album and Best Album Cover Design at the 2015 Indigenous Music Awards. The IMA presented him with the “Most Outstanding Manitoban” Award in recognition of his contributions in music.

A veteran of the music industry, Hellnback first gained international recognition as a founding member of the groundbreaking group War Part. Moving from his native Alberta to Winnipeg, Manitoba in the early 2000’s, Hellnback co-founded the popular and respected rap crew WARPARTY and was the main stable member with the group Team Rezofficial. Recently featured on a Tribe Called Red’s latest offering, the Suplex EP, Hellnback has finally stepped into his own and released his first solo project - #FOE (Family Over Everything) – and he proves himself to be back with a vengeance.

Nominated for two Indigenous Music Awards, Hellnback has scribed an intensely personal project. Throughout the refreshingly honest body of work, the artist not only bares scares but also celebrated the important things in his life including integrity, community and most importantly, his family. With production from various collaborators and guest appearances from the likes of Lightning Cloud and Supaman, the album boasts 15 impressive records.

A journey that in many ways mirrors the rappers life itself, the album is by turns thoughtful and rugged. It is peppered with life anecdotes and witty wordplay and whether on a more relaxed cut like “How long” or something packed with energy like “B.T.B.B” ft. Lightning Cloud (produced by Juno and IMA award Winning producer DJ SHUB), Hellnback is always authentically himself.

Representing family values for 2015 and beyond – Hellnback’s return from the personal hells he has been through presents us with a wizened man. A man who has been battle hardened but still retains his heart. For all its credibility as a dope hip-hop record, #FOE is probably best described as an ode to overcoming the odds and finding your purpose in life. Sharing a personal experience that affects many First Nation communities relates to some of the situations our youth go through. With a learning understanding the values of what lies ahead is a form of motivation and inspiration that our generation need to give back. And in that, Hellnback presents us all with something to believe in.