Creator Bless The Underground is Dakota/Lakota rap artist Bazille’s most recent studio album, set as an “ode” to the life that music has brought him, releasing May 20th, 2025.
“Amongst many states and eras, both in the scenes I’ve experienced and the life I’ve lived, the underground has inspired me, healed me and brought me to a beautiful life that accepts my philosophies as a Dakota/Lakota, even in the work I get to do today at the Oglala Lakota Artspace. So, this is my tribute, to honor that spirit of art, and what it has done for me countless times over.”
Since the album’s announcement in January, Bazille has released music videos and singles, starting with “Box Milk” animated by Oglala Lakota artist Nathaniel Ruleaux. Other singles/videos, “Gossip Is Not A Treaty” & “Akisa Different” have also been released on YouTube & streaming platforms. Another Oglala Lakota visual artist Maiki Ghost Bear of Z0mb1eMed1a, designed the album’s cover artwork.
“It’s a surreal feeling to have so many artists who I know will be legends throughout time depict my paint or whatever my music has inspired them
to visualize. That to me is just as important as the lyrics and samples within the music itself.”
The album sees production features from three other Lakota producers, Kari. (Cheyenne River Lakota), Franc Castle (Cheyenne River Lakota) and Animal Teef (Oglala Lakota), with the remaining 13 tracks produced by Bazille.
“Kari is my younger cousin and was close with my misun before he passed. Franc Castle has been my production idol growing up in Eagle Butte since I was a kid. Animal Teef and I have a collaboration ready to release. It just all made sense in different ways. I try to map my music out that way.”
The album also features rappers and singers alike. Didds, Asharri: The Vagabond, Jessa Calderon, 9a, Jada Brown, Santee Witt and others join in on various topics around community, Lakota & other tribal philosophy, grief of close loved ones, current struggles and old history.
“Making my own 38 +2 song ”Like 38″ was a happy moment for me. I feel lucky that I had a lot of those moments with this album, many times outside of myself. Cody Blackbird danced his flute on two of the tracks, even. Each vocalist met exactly what I was envisioning…. I know it’s a real powerful thing for anyone to send their voice out like that, especially in contribution to someone else’s project. The way the final song features my
niece uNdermaRs, with Bobby J & Devincii on it, all from Crow Creek, meant a lot to me. As a whole, I just really wanted this project to be a symphony of rap, philosophy and love for hip hop and the art.”
“Creator Bless The Underground” releases everywhere May 20th, 2025.
