Sound of the City: Christie Lee
The full-time mother and hip-hop lover incorporates her traditional knowledge and ancient hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ dialect into her rap music
SOUND OF THE CITY is a chance to discover and explore Vancouver’s incredible and diverse music scene created in partnership by the City of Vancouver and Stir.
We hear from different local artists or acts, what’s in heavy rotation on their playlist as well as what’s happening in their world amid COVID-19—in their own words.
We ask each artist or act to curate and share a Sound of the City playlist that features some of their favourite Vancouver musicians.
Sound of the City is a way to celebrate local talent, highlight BIPOC and underrepresented artists, and connect with creatives and each other. It’s time to crank the volume on the music that’s all around us, right in our own backyard.
Christie Lee
GROWING UP IN a world of music, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm artist Christie Lee has been focused on hip-hop where, as an emcee, she incorporates her traditional knowledge and ancient hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ dialect. As a “full-time mother and a hip-hop lover”, she raps about life, culture, and empowerment, with a passion to empower Indigenous youth to be proud of their roots.
Lee was named the City of Vancouver’s first local Indigenous Poet Laureate. She is also a storyteller, poet, Coastal hand drum singer, filmmaker, and speaker for her ancestors. As the City’s Poet Laureate, Lee has connections to multiple communities that are helping build new relationships in Vancouver to elevate the role of Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and urban Indigenous poetry, literary, and cultural practices.
Lee’s performance accolades have followed her across continents to the BC Pavilion in Beijing, and she has performed locally at TEDX distortion Vancouver, the Juno Awards, the Whistler Snowboard Festival alongside A Tribe Called Red, the Bass Coast Music Festival, and the Vancouver Folk Festival, to name a few. Her music, art, and teachings create universal connections and transferable knowledge.
She will be a judge and performer at the inaugural International Indigenous Hip-Hop Awards in May 2021.
Christie Lee’s Playlist
How are you feeling about life right now?
Life is pretty good right now, home with my family learning and growing. Back to the land and waters during this pandemic is just what we needed .
What did you have planned in 2020 and for this year, and how has the pandemic changed those plans?
2020 was my year to travel. Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Germany all had to be rescheduled due to COVID. But we got creative, and I found out that the work I do can be done virtually and that we can all connect online.
What, or who, do you miss most about pre-pandemic life?
I miss my friends and artist community. We gather online, but doing shows from home just isn't the same.
Where are you finding solace?
I go to the river, I go to the trees , I stand in the sunrise and I soak in the rain. Hike the mountains and trails. But most of all, being home with my family fills my heart the most .
What song or album has been in your heavy rotation recently and why?
DaniLeigh is on constant rotation. I love her vibe and swag. So soft, yet so hard on her lyrics. On a good or bad day, she picks me up.
Can you give a shoutout to one of your favourite Vancouver musicians or artists? What about them inspires you?
"The Rez Kids I Guess”: Demetrius Kenoras-Paul and Casey are two youth from Musqueam and Coast Salish families who sing and compose hand-drum songs. It’s beautiful to hear them sing around the community and by the river. My children love to listen to their CD, Shxwelten Shxweli, which translates to “the spirit of our elders songs live”, while we cruise the city.
If you could change one thing about Vancouver, what would it be?
There are sooo many changes I would love to see as a xʷməθkʷəy̓əm słénəy̓ (Musqueam woman), but how do I put it into an answer?
So I asked my 10-year-old daughter this question, and her instant reply was: "I want to see more of our land back, mommy."
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