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Music

A Tribe Called Red Make a Statement With Wrestling and 3D Printing

To sell music in 2015, just package nostalgia and social awareness in a futuristic package.

This article originally appeared on Noisey Canada. Photo courtesy of Falling Tree Photography

A week after Canadian electronic group A Tribe Called Red released their new EP Suplex and the wrestling-themed video for the title track, they've gone the extra mile and debuted a 3D printed action figure rendition of Suplex's cover art character. Launched in collaboration with Toronto studio 3DPhacktory and designed by artist JC Cappelletti, the action figure depicts an 8-bit wrestler wearing a traditional headdress and pumping his biceps victoriously. As is the case with everything A Tribe Called Red releases, the figure is a powerful statement on the need for more Indigenous role models in mainstream media.

Professional wrestling and the machismo that surrounds the culture plays a part in lots of young boys' upbringing. If you search online for Indigenous pro wrestlers, you'll only get a handful of "famous" wrestlers, most of whom had to wear traditional headdress and tassels in order to compete in the mainstream ring. They still stood out as an anomaly, likely making it hard for young Indigenous viewers to connect or feel pride. If you search online for Indigenous electronic music, you don't receive many results outside of A Tribe Called Red's popular "electric pow wow" beats. They're still the most renowned Aboriginal DJs, but it's inspiring moves like this that show their fight for a cultural rebirth, and more search results, is far from over.

This proud action figure and the JUNO-winning, Polaris Prize-nominated albums the group has released are awesomely inspiring takeaways for everyone. While the figure is available on the group's website, along with a free download of its design for anyone who wants to print and modify their own, they will also be selling 40 limited edition signed units.

Jess Huddleston is a writer living in Toronto - @JessHuddles