MDM RECORDINGS INC. ANNOUNCES CITY NATIVES AS THE 2024 RECIPIENTS OF THE HENRY ARMSTRONG AWARD
Today, MDM Recordings Inc., and the Henry Armstrong Award committee are thrilled to announce City Natives as the 2024 recipient of the Henry Armstrong Award. The award-winning east coast hip hop trio, comprised of Brandon Arnold, Blake Francis, and Shelby Sappier, became the first Indigenous artists to win Rap/Hip Hop Recording of the Year at the 2023 East Coast Music Awards, and recently took home the 2024 award for the second consecutive year. City Natives will receive a $10,000 bursary along with a tailored mentorship program of professional development services, and was chosen by a juried selection process via a committee of Canadian music industry professionals. In its third year, the Henry Armstrong Award is an annual bursary and mentorship program created to develop, elevate, and support the diverse talents in the Canadian Indigenous music community.
Upon receiving this award, City Natives say, “We are extremely grateful for winning the Henry Armstrong Award! Multi-Platinum selling artist Classified is executive producing our next album and the funding will have a huge impact on the release. This is the first time we’ve had a budget to help with a project, and we know the money and the mentorship opportunities will definitely help take our careers to the next level. Thank you! ”
Named for Denney’s grandfather Lloyd Henry and mother Gloria Denney (née Armstrong), both fellow Six Nations Lower Mohawk, The Henry Armstrong Award aims to provide unique opportunities for growth and development to the selected recipient. The genesis for the HAA began in the spring of 2021, following the initial uncovering of the 215 Indigenous children in the Kamloops Residential School mass grave. Knowing he wanted to help, Denney called upon his fellow industry and quickly put together a committee united with the goal of promoting inclusivity, equity, and equality in the Canadian Indigenous Music space and beyond.
The HAA icon was conceptualized and designed by Leticia Spence from Pimicikamak and Opaskwayak Cree Nation. Spence is a freelance graphic designer and illustrator based in Treaty One territory.
For more information on the Henry Armstrong Award please visit: henryarmstrongaward.ca
