It’s always a treat seeing an artist pour identity into their art until the two become one, especially in a period that’s adamant on separating them. Stella Standingbear honors her Indigenous roots through the way her music moves. The catchiness lands first, but her character sits in the details, so every track feels unmistakably owned.

She’s also one of those artists whose arc is crazy. She said a conscious rap ethos defined her first EP “Still Standing”: introspective, but with a melodic trap twist, centred on the mental health struggles she was dealing with, while also acting as a crutch that makes you feel less alone.

The shift into flex is the real stunt. On her last EP “RAP STAR”, she brings more fire, still melodic, still personal, but now the tracks feed into her ascent. It’s similar to Dina Ayada’s move into booming trap while keeping the waviness intact. Here, Stella’s project is defined by her stepping into a more multifaceted version of herself, almost like she’s inviting you to grow with her.