On February 29th, one of the most prolific indigenous rappers on the scene released his new album Yvhiketv Hayv, which in the Mvskoke (Muscogee) language translates as “Song Maker”. If Sten Joddi is familiar to you, it’s because he’s well known as playing the character Punkin Lusty on Hulu’s hit (albeit short-lived) series Reservation Dogs. His hit “Greasy Fry Bread” is beloved throughout Indian Country and his message of rising above circumstances and resiliency is one that speaks to all.
Combining his love of hip-hop, tattoos, and pride in his Native ancestry, Sten Joddi has become quite the role model for indigenous youth. Yvhiketv Hayv’s first track opens with a Mvskoke blessing from Mvskoke (Creek) actor Wotko Long. Sten Joddi is all about building community and the list of rappers contributing to this album include Da Liest One, Johnny Skitzoe, Ash DA Hunter, and Doggface, among others.
“On the Rez” is a track I identify with. Like Sten Joddi, I am a mixed-blood Native (Anishinaabe, enrolled in the LCO Ojibwe tribe) who never lived on reservation, but the deep empathy we feel for our tribal members and our ancestral homelands runs through our bloodstream. Sten Joddi constantly acknowledges the advantages he has experienced as an “Urban Indian” and many of his songs highlight the many issues that the Mvskoke Nation lives through today. Ash DA Hunter and Stuart James, two indigenous rappers who do reside “on rez”, join him on this track, sharing their own experiences with daily living.
Non-Native listeners of Sten Joddi’s music can learn a lot about the everyday experience of being Native in the 21st century. Joddi doesn’t refrain from rapping about the hardships and struggles that affect Indian Country, but he also spreads the positive messages of standing up for yourself and your people, overcoming obstacles, and the importance of being rooted in the knowledge of your culture. Remembering where he comes from is at the forefront of all of his albums, and Yvhiketv Hayv is no different.
I also appreciate the humor that is throughout Sten Joddi’s music. The song “iSmoke” is a good example. “Y-Hate” questions the haters as to why they can’t just let Sten Joddi and everyone different from them live their own lives. “I must be doing something right/cuz they hatin’ on me”. “They Don’t Understand Me” is a slower track in which Sten Joddi laments being misunderstood due to his success. He raps frequently about his struggles with addiction and this song especially hits that area. Joddi is quite vocal about his past in interviews and on social media, and “What It’s Like” is a testimony of that. The song “Jealousy” speaks for itself and features some universal Native American teachings from Anishinaabe comic, Tito Ybarra, interspersed between the lines.
Yvhiketv Hayv ends with “Get It”, which is a call to everyone listening to go after your dreams no matter what your circumstances are, and no matter what situations you have to go through to succeed. Sten Joddi loves his family, his culture, and the simple fact of being alive. These themes have shone through his entire music career. This album is a perfect reminder to face each day being authentic and letting no one stand in the way of what you need to do to overcome all you carry around that might be holding you back.
Sten Joddi is an enrolled member of the Mvskoke Creek Nation Tribe of Oklahoma.
Jennifer Patino lives in Traverse City and loves music. Check out her blog at thistlethoughts.com