LISTEN TO MESSENGER

MESSEGNER MARKS AN OFFICIAL NFT COLLABORATION 
WITH DAVID AND ERICK SERMON 

LISTEN TO DAVID’S ACCLAIMED 2020 PROJECTS
 SPIRIT OF HIP HOP (REMIXES) AND SPIRIT OF HIP-HOP

“Together, these elements make Spirit of Hip Hop a spirited addition to both the rap canon and the string of protest songs soundtracking today's reckoning against police brutality and systemic racism” – Exclaim!

“Strickland succeeds as both a storyteller and a body mover. He has created a work of art which encompasses the times we are living in and is well worth a listen” – Ongoing History Of Protest Songs

“Strickland’s perspective that hip-hop and First Nations culture run parallel is a refreshing take and provides some insight as to why Indigenous hip-hop has become such a notable sensation in Canada and beyond” – BeatRoute

Toronto, ON - August 30, 2021 - Renowned Canadian-Indigenous artist/engineer/producer, David Strickland (Drake, EPMD, Redman), gets back to the boards with esteemed and long-time collaborators. This time, his colleagues and friends help share his story as a Messenger; a song with Hip Hop legend, Erick Sermon of EPMD, Outlaw By Nature –a supergroup combo of Treach from Naughty By Nature and the late Hussein Fatal of The Outlawz (an American Hip Hop group originally founded by Tupac Shakur), alongside Indigenous rapper, Aspects – and a feature from Toronto progenitor, Saukrates. Listen to Messenger here.

The song also marks an official NFT collaboration between David and Erick Sermon, who is fresh off his recent contribution (as part of EPMD) to EPMD 2, the hot new track from Nas, featuring Eminem. The NFT Collection will be released as the ‘Drop Of The Day’ on Crypto.com, one of the largest global crypto exchanges, following the single release. In addition to being a Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer, David is a visual artist, creating Indigenous infused works that have been displayed at major galleries including McMichael Canadian Art Collection. A portion of the proceeds from the NFT are being donated by David and Erick to an Indigenous organization that will support former Residential School students and communities. 

David says, “I am excited to announce my fledging entrance into the NFT marketplace and cryptocurrency. As technology evolves, so too are the ways in which artists can promote their work. It is new and innovative, and I aim to use this media form to put money back into the community. A community that has given so much to me in ways that I cannot even articulate. This is a collaboration with the legendary and talented Erick Sermon. My mentor, friend, and brother. We have worked together in the past and present. Looking toward the future within this digital space.”

“I have created an extensive body of work in hip hop and I’m looking forward to this new digital medium. I am pleased to announce that I will be releasing a collaboration with David Strickland,” Erick adds. “I have watched this dude evolve and this is an example of that. No matter what, he always had my back, ready to work. NFTs are a game changer. Def Squad Digital.”

Messenger was produced and mixed by David Strickland, mixed at L.I.T.E. Studios, New York, and mastered by Phil Demetro at Lacquer Channel in Toronto. The song is about David’s life dedication of delivering messages through music. Erick and Saukrates highlight David and this collaborative process of sharing knowledge, and his identity as a messenger of sound throughout his layered career history and Indigenous heritage. 

“Messenger is a deep song on many levels. It’s about me using music as a way of sending messages throughout my career without speaking but speaking through the music. It’s also a message to all those negative ones against me, you, something everyone can relate to. Mostly it’s a homage to Hussein Fatal who passed too soon in a car accident and gives his message to live on through positivity because life is too short and the world’s a beautiful place and it’s all how you look at it and your perspective. Ultimately you control your outlook. We are all messengers.” David says. 

David recently won three International Indigenous Hip Hop Awards for his acclaimed 2020 album, Spirit Of Hip-Hop(June 29, 2020 via Entertainment One). David’s perspective, “The DJ is the Drummer; the MC is the Storyteller, the B-boy is the Dancer and the Graffiti Artist is the Sand Painter” is rooted in Spirit Of Hip Hop, as he shares an embodiment of the teachings, art, traditions, and music of his established music community, aligned with his Indigenous heritage. Amongst an extensive collaboration roster, the album includes Indigenous rappers such as Supaman, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Artson, Que Rock, Drezus, Leonard Sumner, Joey Styles, Chippewa Travellers and more, while North American hip-hop legends EPMD, Saukrates, Def Squad (Redman, Erick Sermon, Keith Murray), Maestro Fresh Wes, and a posthumous verse from King Reign, are brought into the fold. Listen to  Spirit Of Hip Hop. 

In November of 2020, David continued a mission to champion artists within Indigenous and Hip-Hop scenes from across North America by sharing Spirit Of Hip Hop (Remixes). It features fresh takes on the original songs by Gordo himself (David’s nickname) and some of his esteemed colleagues, including Toronto’s DJ Agile (BrassMunk, Big Black Lincoln), Rockwilder, and Hagler (Drake), to rising Canadian Indigenous artists, producer Boogey The Beat and award-winning singer-songwriter, Sebastian Gaskin. Listen to Spirit Of Hip Hop (Remixes).  

Stay tuned for more from David Strickland as he prepares to share new music this year!

Listen – Messenger featuring Erick Sermon, Outlaw By Nature & Saukrates

Photo by Ernie Paniccioli

DOWNLOAD – Press Photo | DOWNLOAD – Messenger Art

www.davidstricklandstudios.com

About David Strickland
David "Gordo" Strickland is an Indigenous, Toronto born and based award-winning engineer, mixer, producer and DJ. Known for being behind the boards on iconic Hip-Hop and R&B records for over two decades, his work has graced seminal tracks by the likes of Pete Rock, Erick Sermon, EPMD, Keith Murray, Redman and Method Man, to records by ground-breaking Toronto hip-hop acts, including k-os, Ghetto Concept, Jelleestone, Kardinal Offishall, Jully Black, Choclair and Drake.

David has deep family roots running generations back to the East Coast along Mi'kmaq, Innu and Beothuk lines. His latest album, Spirit Of Hip Hop (June 29, 2020, Entertainment One), highlights some of North America's Hip Hop progenitors and innovative Indigenous artists alike to share an embodiment of the teachings, art, traditions, and music of the community, aligned with his Indigenous heritage. Spirit Of Hip Hop (Remixes) arrived on November 20, 2020 as a follow-up featuring fresh takes on the album tracks by Gordo himself, and some of his esteemed colleagues. From control room to canvas, David is also a prolific visual artist that has been featured at many galleries across Canada. 

He continues to be a positive force in music, the arts and an inspiration to First Nations Youth across North America. www.davidstricklandstudios.com

About Entertainment One
Entertainment One Ltd. (eOne) is a talent-driven independent studio that specializes in the development, acquisition, production, financing, distribution and sales of entertainment content. As part of global play and entertainment company Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS), eOne's expertise spans across film, television and music production and sales; family programming, merchandising and licensing; digital content; and live entertainment. Through its extensive reach and scale, and a deep commitment to high-quality entertainment, eOne unlocks the power and value of creativity.
 
eOne brings to market both original and existing content, sourcing IP from Hasbro’s portfolio of 1500+ brands, and through a diversified network of creative partners and eOne companies including: international feature film distribution company Sierra/Affinity; Amblin Partners with DreamWorks Studios, Participant Media, and Reliance Entertainment; Makeready with Brad Weston; unscripted television production companies Renegade 83, Daisybeck, Blackfin and Whizz Kid Entertainment; live entertainment leaders Round Room Live; world-class music companies Audio Network, Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang; and award-winning emerging content and technology studio Secret Location.  www.entertainmentone.com