TVLSE, Oklahoma – Natives lined up to see Sten Joddi perform at the Venue Shrine in Tulsa. His set list included DJ Lonewolf, Frank Anthony, KickdHopeless, WOTKO, and Frisco featuring HV and MadMatt.
According to Sten Joddi, he carries a relationship with the Shrine organization after hosting the event last year.
“They were really excited with the diversity that I brought to their establishment,” he said. “I brought Indigenous vibes to the venue.”
After the first year, he learned that something was missing. That’s when he called Okie Podcast host/Sun Eagle Media CEO, Russel Sun Eagle to emcee the event, bringing a little comedy to the show.
The first artist Sten Joddi reached out to was WOTKO (Ryan Barnett) to book him for the show.
DJ Lonewolf was the next person Sten Joddi contacted. Sten Joddi uses Lonewolf Entertainment for services every time he is in Oklahoma.
The Shrine added KickdHopless to their set last year, this year he was brought back by Sten Joddi. WOTKO introduced Sten Joddi to Frank Anthony, who was also invited to come perform for the event.
Sten Joddi Visits New Prosper
A few days prior to the show, Sten Joddi visited the Mvskoke reservations’ first Native-owned recording studio, New Prosper Studio.
Sten Joddi booked two hours of studio time to get himself and a fellow artist from Oklahoma into the studio. During that time, Sten Joddi also freestyled with Frisco, HV, and MadMatt.
It was the story released by Mvskoke Media that caught his eye and piqued his interest to work with the New Prosper Studio/400 Waves label.
According to Sten Joddi, he was impressed with the outcome of his track produced by HV, and even left the young musicians with recorded lyrics they could use in up-and-coming productions.
Originally, the three were not on the set list to perform that weekend. However, as the universe would have it, a spot became available. Sten Joddi called his new friends, asking them to perform.
“It was just the universe, all the good energy, and being home that kind of put all those things in alignment for me,” he said. “It wasn’t a big stress, it was all good vibes.”
According to the artist and emcee, the event, the night, and each performance was a seamless success with little, to no interruptions or problems.
“It was great to see all those Indigenous faces,” he said. “Even the non-Indigenous faces who came to check it out and to see them falling in love with all the different music that was presented to them.”
Each artist is different in their own way with one thing in common: each performer was Mvskoke.
As Sten Joddi has reached his current age of 40 years old, he sits back and looks at all the years he spent as a young rapper trying to be a voice for those coming after him.
“I didn’t have anybody to put me on until Sterlin Harjo and Rez Dogs gave me the platform to hear me,” Sten Joddi said. “I want to be able to do that and reciprocate those things to hip-hop and Muscogee people. “
According to Sten Joddi, Native entertainers are the least-paid entertainers in the industry.
“We can’t be afraid to ask for what we’re worth,” he said.
With sold-out shows and hotels across Tulsa that night, the local Native rap community set high standards with mainstream artists.
“We went up against some good competition that night and we packed the house,” Sten Joddi said. “At the end of the day, we are at the same level as other entertainers and we deserve the same opportunities.”
Sten Joddi has been in the music industry for over a decade now. He has won many awards, and recorded seven albums, amongst other accomplishments.
He has come to a point where he can truly enjoy himself and wants to help young artists succeed.
Although Sten Joddi is not sure of what is next, he is currently back home preparing his family for a new back-to-school schedule, producing tattoos in his shop, and making music in his studio.
