The Council celebrated the release of its debut album, “One Tribe One Nation,” during a party Saturday, April 13 at Ignacio’s Sidekick Lounge.
Rapping original songs, “Take Flight” and “Real Spit,” which also featured Snoop Dogg, The Council proved they are a force to be reckoned with in the Native Rap genre.
The official release date was April 12. The group was awarded $25,000 during Culture Shock Original’s Native Rap Recording Contest, held earlier this year.
The Council — composed of Antonio “Tones” Herrera, Dmitri “Dreezy” Reynolds and Dshon “Tre” Lloyd — is a predominately Native American rap group from Ignacio. Its tribal affiliations include Southern Ute, Jemez Pueblo, Taos Pueblo and Sioux, as well as Chicano and African-American roots.
“It was exciting — to be amped up, everybody was feeling the music, heads bobbing, we were doing something right,” said Herrera, the son of Steve R. Herrera Sr., executive officer of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
“It’s amazing to be able to do something I’ve always dreamed about doing,” Reynolds said.
“I liked it. We held our own,” Lloyd said, adding: “We need to take it up a notch, go up from where are now.”
The album features heavy-hitters in the rap scene, such as Snoop Dogg, The Game and TI. Producer John Gavone, a New York native, contributed to songs on the album. Gavone has worked with and produced tracks for The Game, Snoop Dogg, TI, Juvenile and 2Pac’s The Outlaws.
Also producing was Scott Storch, who has previously worked with Dr. Dre, Beyonce, 50 Cent, Nelly, XZibit, Eve, the Roots and Chris Brown.
Multi-Grammy Award winner Ed Stasium did the mixing and mastering of “One Tribe One Nation.” Stasium is known for his work with Biohazard, Mick Jagger, Joan Jett, Living Colour, Misfits, Motorhead, Ramones, Ratt.
Gavone and Rueben “El Demonio” Roman, co-owner of Culture Shock Original, were instrumental in signing the group and putting the album together.
“I’m part of the community, I want to give back. We gave these kids an opportunity to do something,” Roman said. “The family is important. This is their house.”
“One Tribe One Nation” is available in more than 750 digital stores, including iTunes, Amazon, Juno and Google Play.
“We want to be heard around the world, bringing our message to the Native Americans and anyone else who is struggling,” Herrera said.
“We will be touring at the end of the month,” Reynolds added, “and we hope to sell a lot of CDs and make some money.”
Culture Shock Original is set to release another album, “Hellraisers,” in June. It will feature The Council, Butch Kidd, Squozze, Blake Cerniglia, Melo, Reign, DJ Jdub, JT the Bigga Figga, Shifta, Don Cisco, Outlaw Ike Stockton, AJ, Ace, Kokane of Above the Law, El Demonio and more.
For more information on “One Tribe One Nation” or Culture Shock Original, visit www.facebook.com/CultureShockOriginal.