Article and Photos by: Ommar Ortuvia
Houston, TX — Snotty Nose Rez Kids (SNRK) is the indigenous hip-hop duo from British Columbia, Canada, comprised of rappers Darren Metz and Quinton Nyce, aka Young D and Yung Trybez, respectively. They are Haisla people, and as members of a First Nation this lends to most of the themes in their music, as well as their group name (which is as clever as it is memorable). Listening to SNRK for a few minutes and you are blown away by their lyrical flow, combining poetry and intelligence with a ferocious energy that takes some deep thinking to fully grasp the power of their words. Currently they are on the road promoting their latest album Red Future, on the “Red Future Tour” with the talented DJ Kookum laying down the beats. On their Houston stop, they brought their socially conscious lyricism to downtown’s Bronze Peacock Room on the night of October 17, 2024.
Inside the venue there was a range of styles within the crowd, and no predominant characteristic in the masses. This goes to show that SNRK’s music and message is felt by a wide variety of people, no matter the color of skin, nationality, social or legal status; inside the venue, we were all neechies. Another surprising thing is that most of the concertgoers were all very open to talking about how SNRK’s music has become deeply personal to them, and how eager and excited they were to hear them live – some of them had seen SNRK when they last came to town in 2022, and have appreciated how their popularity and influence have grown over time.
The show started with DJ Kookum taking the turntables, with Young D and Trybez following and grabbing the mics. The ‘Kids really wanted to highlight their latest album, Red Future, which was released earlier this year. They began with an 8-song assault from said album, opening with “Welcome To My World,” a bass-heavy hard-hitting anthem that immediately set the tone for the rest of the night. Continuing through the set, their third song “BBE” (Big Braid Energy) prompted all the braid-wearers in the crowd to raise them proudly. This continued until the next barrage of songs from their 2022 album I’m Good, HBU?, to then continue with more songs from the Red Future album. Afterwards the setlist continued with the trend of moving backwards in time with songs from their 2019 album Trapline, which includes their biggest hit “Boujee Natives” which stirred up the crowd even more. The night carried on with more of their hits, including “Skoden,” “I Got Paid Today,” “Sink or Swim,” “Long Hair Don’t Care,” to ultimately finish the night with “Red Future.” As a tribute to the lyrics, the ‘Kids brought up on stage all the children in the crowd, to further highlight the important message of how the young ones are our future and we must teach them well.
All in all, the official setlist consisted of 34 songs within the span of their 90 minute performance. As one can imagine there was no real lull in the vibe and energy of their show, keeping the crowd entertained with their sharp cutting lyrics and dope beats. Except the time during “Burn” when the PA went out – this put a pause on the show for a few seconds, and after a few quizzical looks between the artists and groans from the crowd, the duo continued acapella, belting out lyrical fire with the same intensity as when the mics were powered. Personally, it has been a while that I have heard a hip- hop group with such a strong message delivered in a powerful lyrical flow, topped off with clear enunciation. Unlike today’s trend with rapping, the clear diction leaves no room for misunderstood lyrics; which for a group like SNRK, the message can be passed along to all who have open ears.
Their “Red Future Tour” continues through stops in the US and Canada until early December. Don’t miss them.