Rex Smallboy

Rex Smallboy raps in protest of the horrendous treatment of Indigenous people in Canada to direct attention to the devastating impacts of colonialism. Rex’s music echoes generations of Indigenous truth and perseverance. It is a call for justice to uplift and honour the spirit and strength of his people.

Rex is a proud, sober father breaking cycles of abuse and healing intergenerational trauma from genocide and colonization. Rex faced his own dark history of domestic abuse by turning to the Warriors Against Violence program for help, along with getting professional psychological counselling. Rex performs an apology song to address his harmful behaviour as part of his healing process, demonstrating the importance of taking accountability. 

Rex's determination as an artist and manager helped lead the group War Party to become the first Indigenous rappers to break into the mainstream music industry in Canada. Their music video for Feelin’ Reserved gained the group professional recognition and success after they appeared on Much Music Rap City.

Highlights of his career include:

• In 2005, he performed at the Canadian Pavilion with War Party for the World Expo held in Nagoya, Japan. The group disbanded that year.

• In 2009, Rex joined forces with the Southern Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (SOADI) to produce a youth rap album written to help prevent diabetes.

• In 2018, he was featured on the song Lost in the Cycle by Toronto rap artist Plex, which successfully charted on the Indigenous Music Countdown.

• In 2019, he worked with Nwe Jinan Studios, teaching music production to Indigenous youth in First Nations communities.

• In 2020, Rex was recognized for his work with War Party as a trailblazer in the SPEAK UP project with the National Music Centre in Calgary.