EP 103 Music saved my life with Bishop Slice

In this episode, Cody talks with rapper Julian Lillie, better known as Bishop Slice. Bishop says that music has been part of his life since before he was even born. When his mom was pregnant, she would always have headphones on her stomach. After he was born, he’d watch MTV, back when they played music videos. But Bishop’s childhood was often tumultuous. His mom struggled with addiction and his dad was in prison. So, he found sanctuary in music — at first listening to it, and then when he was about 12, creating it. Those first raps were full of angst, but they allowed him to express his frustrations and ultimately became therapeutic.

 

Bishop believes that there’s a responsibility in being an Athabaskan rapper. It means being a cultural ambassador and a role model — instilling hope in his people and letting them know that they can rise above negative stereotypes and past traumas. He knows this is true because he went through it himself. He spent time in prison and he struggled with addiction, but he eventually overcame both. Now, his family is the most important thing to him. Music will always be important, but being the father that he never had is imperative.

 

PHOTO / Rick Beal

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