Nunavut kids tell stories, relieve stress, through music

Yellowknife-born rapper Godson, left, helps Cambridge Bay’s Tamieka Oakoak, 12, record her new song Feb. 28 in the community hall. About 10 youth attended a two-day music workshop put on by Godson last weekend. (PHOTO BY KELCEY WRIGHT)

Special to Nunatsiaq News

CAMBRIDGE BAY — In a small, dark, make-shift studio at the community hall in Cambridge Bay, kids are trying out a new way to express their feelings.

It involves rapping into a microphone and telling stories to music.

Yellowknife-born rapper Aaron “Godson” Hernandez is in the regional hub during a short Kitikmeot tour teaching kids how to release stress through music.

“I’m here to help the kids write songs and record their struggles of living in the North,” said Godson, who had just arrived from the nearby western Nunavut community of Kugluktuk. “They’re having fun doing it because they’ve never done it before.”

Godson began his career in Grade 9 when he rapped a presentation in health class.

He has since produced more than 10 albums and has appeared on the television show Dragon’s Den to pitch his musical ideas.

His music has also been featured on Canadian Idol and he’s won several awards for his contribution to arts in the North.

On Feb. 27 and Feb. 28, Godson held two four-hour workshops to teach participants how to write music. During the last two hours of the second workshop, he brought in sound equipment and to help them record songs.

“He’s awesome,” said 12-year-old Tamieka Oakoak, who attended both workshops. “It’s been [so] fun.”

After each workshop, at 8 p.m., Godson held a free community dance to showcase some of his music.

“I started rapping at 14 years old,” he said. “And now I’m 34, so, [I have been rapping for] 20 years. For the longest time, I was the only rapper in the North.”

Not anymore. Nunavut alone boasts several rappers including Hyper T and Nelson Tagoona, not to mention many youth artists around the territory.

Godson is helping to grow that pool of performers by bringing his experiences and teachings to other communities and by working with aspiring youth.

The biggest reward, he says, is finding talented writers and artists in small communities who want to follow his footsteps.

“They’re energetic,” said Godson. “It’s an accomplishment to get them excited about writing and recording.”