Every once in a while, a song comes out that reinforces the power of music and hip-hop as an instrument of change. Saint Soldier is a young Sikh rapper from BC that I've just come across through his Facebook page.
In his own words:
Saint Soldier was born in Punjab, India in 1984, a politically tumultuous time in the country for certain ethnic and religious groups. As for many Sikh families, it was not a hospitable place to be at the time. Shortly afterwards, he and his family moved out of the country to United Arab Emirates and then to Canada to pursue better opportunities and a healthier environment. Following an enjoyable but oblivious childhood in an immigrant neighborhood in Calgary, Alberta, he moved with his family to live in British Columbia, and now resides in Coquitlam, BC. His music entails a variety of topics and has been influenced by controversial social issues that face South Asian youth of his generation, but issues that are perhaps relateable to youth from many backgrounds. The music is a rebellion against cultural and religious indoctrination of our young generation which has lead to hypocrisy and empty ritualism. As such, Saint Soldier's music is a discussion and rebirth of old ideas in a new, more up-lifting, organic and realistic manner that young people may find they can relate to. Although he knows that the name Saint Soldier and the content of his music may not align with main-stream views, he believes he is on the right path and if anyone may not agree, he is unaffected by this.
Watch the soul-stirring video below:
This is a wonderful track called Sister which touches on the epidemic of female infanticide in Indian and Punjabi culture.
Here's a quick interview with Saint Soldier talking about why he created this song.