A lot has happened since we last spoke with Frank Waln back in January. This rising hip hop artist has been busy teaching songwriting classes to Native Chicago youth, traveling to Alaska, Texas and Colorado for performances, and joining forces with Reject and Protect by performing his song “Oil 4 Blood” to a crowd of thousands who were in Washington D.C. protesting the Keystone XL Pipeline.
He recently won the Mayor's Award for Civic Engagement from Columbia College. And, oh yeah, finished up his senior year of college. No big deal!
This past weekend Frank Waln walked on stage to accept his diploma, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Audio Design and Music Production from Columbia College. His graduation present to us was releasing his latest single, “Born on the Rez”.
He'll be the keynote speaker at the 2014 Chicago Title 7 Achievement Celebration on June 1st. He'll also be performing and teaching a workshop with Upward Bound students at CU Boulder June 23rd-25th. We're not even halfway through the year and Frank has accomplished a lot in 2014. We can't wait to see what he'll do next!
You can follow Frank Waln on Twitter and Facebook to find out how to purchase his music and where he might be performing next.
Eroll Olds
says:Great! Wasn”t born on rez but the spirit of my ancestors was.
an African, Irish, Native American.
Rose Felton
says:I am white, 68 yrs. old and was raised on a rez. Love this singer and his music!! Awesome!
Wim
says:Thanks,Frank. Its good 2 see, that native Indian is alive.
<3 <3 Wim.
chuck lycksell
says:im an older native but i thought this was great how can iget this song do you have an album.