This year's Toll's Lecture featured a mix of hip-hop, power, protest and humanity thanks to award-winning Indigenous DJ and producer Dan “DJ Shub” General.
Known as a delightful collaborator and persistent innovator who skillfully weaves together craft, mission and heritage, Schaub visited campus on February 23 to host a conversation following a screening of his music video “Indomitable” and a video from his latest work, “War Club.” He was joined by special guests Chris Thomas and the Smoke Dancers, who performed a Haudenosaunee social dance before he hosted Shub War Club Live at the Tolles Pavilion.
“The performance reminded me of why I focus on cultural anthropology,” said Dana Platt, 26. “Culture is beautiful in all its forms, and I am fortunate to be invited to a small part of the world’s arts and traditions.”
This immersive event gave attendees the opportunity to learn from Shop and participate in various local dances, such as smoke dancing.
“I left with an appreciation for the way he seamlessly incorporated drums and native language into his beats,” said Madeleine Cerrone, 26. “It was a wonderful bridge between indigenous traditions and modern dance music.”
Schoop is known as the “Godfather of PowWowStep”, a new music genre that combines elements of traditional indigenous music, modern electronic music, rap and other genres, and his unique collaborations with artists, dancers, musicians and composers of all genres. . As a member of Six Nations of the Grand River, Shub has won numerous awards, including the 2022 JUNO Award for Best Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year, and Best Music Video from the Native American Music Awards in 2017 for the song “Indomitable.”
“War Club,” his latest celebration of Indigenous power, is a special filmed at Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve in Ontario that features his trademark finger-smoking act, a cast of traditional dancers of all ages, and crowds. Dance to musical collaborations with Phoenix Pagliacci, Boogát and Fawn Wood that tell the story of a young girl searching for her brother with the help of an enchanted war club.
The Toles Lectures are an annual series sponsored by the Winton J. Toles Lecture Fund, which was established in 1991 by members of the Hamilton Class of 1951 in memory of Winton Toles, Class of 1928 and Dean of the College from 1947 to 1972. The Fund enables the College to bring distinguished speakers to campus University students in the fields of literature, journalism, and theater to give lectures and meet with students.
