Zoey Roy, a hip-hop-inspired spoken word poet, says her Saskatchewan roots inspire her music. (Zoey Roy/Submitted)

By CKOM News; Mia Holowaychuk

Talented People

Hip hop and spoken word poetry celebrated by Sask. Indigenous artist

Dec 1, 2023 | 3:59 PM

Hip hop, poetry and Saskatchewan roots will collide in an upcoming episode of the TV series ‘Amplify,’ which features Indigenous musicians.

The episode, titled “Celebration,” features Zoey Roy, a Dene, Cree, and Métis hip-hop-inspired poet who grew up in Saskatchewan.

Roy said she’s been working on her craft since she first became involved in the rap and poetry communities in Saskatchewan as a teenager.

“It gave me a place to express myself creatively,” she said.

Roy, who is now based in Ottawa, grew up mostly in Saskatoon and is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. She also has ties to Black Lake and Green Lake.

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The artist writes her own poetry and teaches kids how to rap.

Roy said spoken word can often be melancholic, but the medium allows people to dive deeply into themselves.

When it comes to rap, Roy said it also allows artists to look deep inside and find a source of power.

“I definitely maintain both practices,” she said.

Roy said her work is a snapshot and celebration of her own life experiences. She said one of her songs, “Guided Cookie,” is about coming out the other side of hardships.

“It makes it OK to go through the struggles,” she said.

“I feel a lot of pride and celebration in my songs, because those are victory moments,” she said.

The artist said her work is deeply inspired by Métis author and playwright Maria Campbell, and said she draws a lot of her work from the rich stories Campbell tells.

Roy also said she is also inspired by the kids that she teaches and, of course, her mother.

“My mom is just so creative and funny,” she said.

Although Roy is currently living out east, she said she still maintains close ties to where she grew up.

“(Saskatchewan) really does influence my creative journey, what I’m passionate about, where I stand, and whose shoulders I stand on,” she said.

The episode featuring Roy airs on Friday on APTN.