Byron Nicholai
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Byron Nicholai, Uqill’aq or Ukila is a Yup'ik musician from Toksook Bay, Alaska. He is best known for his viral videos singing in the Yup'ik language.
Overview
[edit]Nicholai grew up in Toksook Bay. In 2014, Nicholai started uploading videos singing in his Indigenous Yup'ik language on a Facebook page called "I Sing, You Dance".[1] One video in particular went viral and amassed over 150,000 views, deeming some media to dub him the "Justin Bieber of Alaska".[2] In 2015, he performed for United States Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington, D.C. at the Arctic Council United States Chairmanship kickoff.[3][4]
In 2015, he released his first album, "I Am Yup'ik" or Wiinga Yupiugua, in Yup'ik.[5] The album was a best seller in world music for New Zealand and Australia on Amazon Music.[6] He was also the subject of the ESPN 2016 documentary short of the same name.[7][8] The film made the 2016 Sundance Film Festival line-up.[9]
Since 2016, his style has ventured more into Yup'ik rap, hip hop, and R&B. He released the EPs "Still Here" in 2019 and "Assirtua (I'm Good)" in 2020.
Awards
[edit]In 2014, Nicholai won the Alaska Federation of Natives President's Award. In 2015, Nicholai was awarded an Alaskan Spirit of Youth award.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ https://www.facebook.com/I.Sing.You.Dance [user-generated source]
- ^ "Byron Nicholai - Music from the Arctic".
- ^ "Y-K's Facebook phenom helps kick off Arctic Council Chairmanship". 25 May 2015.
- ^ "Secretary Kerry and Admiral Papp Look on as Byron Nicholai Performs Song in Yup'ik at the U.S. Chairmanship of the Arctic Council Reception". 21 May 2015.
- ^ "Toksook Bay singing and drumming phenom releases first album". November 2015.
- ^ "Byron Nicholai of 'I Sing, You Dance' releases album of songs mixing modern and traditional".
- ^ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5258442/?ref_=nm_knf_t3 [user-generated source]
- ^ "Toksook Bay basketball player to star in ESPN's 'I am Yup'ik'". 28 February 2016.
- ^ "'I Am Yup'ik' film makes it to Sundance". 9 December 2015.
- ^ "Byron Nicholai".