Ostwelve (Ron Dean Harris), was born in the Coast Salish - Sto:lo Territory of British Columbia, Canada. Being introduced to music at an early age, Os was experimenting with the art form of Hiphop by the age of 12 years old. Moving into the city of Vancouver at the age of 13, the Hiphop scene there lead him to the sounds and sights of the growing art of Hiphop.
Os got his first song on the radio at 14 years old and went on to be one of youngest radio hosts in Canada when he began to host the: "When Spirits Whisper" and Halkomelem language program "The Speaker" radio shows on COOP Radio 102.7 CFRO at the age of 15. By the age of 19 Os was performing around the emerging Native Hiphop scene in Vancouver and in 1999 he was asked to join Native American rap artist Litefoot on his "Red Ryder Tour" throughout several states and numerous Native communities in the USA. Since then Ostwelve has been recording music and acting, landing a lead character role and music composition credits on the Aboriginal People's Television Network's dramatic series “Moccasin Flats” and movie of the week: “Moccasin Flats: Redemption” for which he has received several Best Actor nominations.
Os also composes music for the APTN children's series: "Nehiyawetan: Let's Speak Cree!", where he resides as the main composer as well as appearing on the show as a musical guest and also a crew member. He has also been traveling the world showcasing his talent and diplomacy, delegating and performing at large international showcases such as the Global African Hip Hop Summit 2005, the Nokia Jam in Johannesburg fall of 2006, 2008 North American Indigenous Games in Duncan BC, 2010 Talking Stick Festival and 2010 Vancouver Cultural Olympiad.
Ostwelve has shared the stage with acts such as Coolio, Snoop Dogg, Guru, K'naan, Masta Ace, Living Legends, Abstract Rude, Swollen Members, Moka Only, Litefoot, Rez Official, Digging Roots, Pura Fe, Joey Stylez and Kinnie Starr just to name a few.
He continues to produce, write and compose music for other artists as well as his own ventures and new media projects for other production companies and educational organizations. His last album release was entitled: “Anti-Gravity Dinosaurs” in June 2008 which was nominated Best Rap Album in the Aboriginal People's Choice Awards and he was bestowed with the honor of a certificate for Honorary National Aboriginal Role Model from the National Aboriginal Health Organization in June 2009.
Future plans include several music videos and film projects as well as more travel, delegation, community based youth work and a new album in Summer 2010.
Notable Performances
2006 – Nokia Jam – Johannesburg, South Africa - 20,000+ in attendance
2003 - Snoop Dogg Concert @ Sask Place - opening act - Saskatoon, SK - 10,000+ in attendance
2005 - Global African Hiphop Summit w/ K’naan, Guru, Proverb, Zuluboy and others – Johannesburg, South Africa - 15,000+ in attendance
http://www.facebook.com/pa
Ostwelve Reverbnation Page:
http://www.reverbnation.co
Ostwelve Twitter page:
http://www.twitter.com/ost
Ostwelve Myspace Page:
http://www.myspace.com/ost
Ostwelve Soundclick page:
http://www.soundclick.com/
Ostwelve Youtube Channel (Ostwelvision):
http://www.youtube.com/use
Ostwelve CBC Radio 3 page:
http://radio3.cbc.ca/bands
Ostwelve / Ron Dean Harris IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2138137/
Also check me out on:
http://www.beatnation.org
Notable Performances
2006 – Nokia Jam – Johannesburg, South Africa - 20,000+ in attendance
2003 - Snoop Dogg Concert @ Sask Place - opening act - Saskatoon, SK - 10,000+ in attendance
2005 - Global African Hiphop Summit w/ K’naan, Guru, Proverb, Zuluboy and others – Johannesburg, South Africa - 15,000+ in attendance
2002 - “Shambhala” Music Festival - Nelson BC - 10,000+ in attendance
2003 - “Shambhala” Music Festival - Nelson, BC - 10,000+ in attendance
2003 - “Shambhala” Music Festival - Nelson, BC - 10,000+ in attendance
2002 - “Under The Volcano” Festival w/Swollen Members - North Vancouver, BC - 6000-7000+
2005 – Black Sunday w/ K’naan, Zuluboy, Proverb, Prokid and others– Soweto, South Africa - 3000+
2008 – North American Indigenous Games @ the Main Stage and Athletes Center – Duncan, BC.
2005 - Masta Ace, Wordsworth and Sundayskool Dropoutz, at Richard’s On Richards – Vancouver, BC.
2002 - “Fresh Fest” with Living Legend and Emotionz – Saskatoon, SK. - 3000+ in attendance
2006 – “Spirit Magazine Launch Party” w/ Tanya Taggaq and Hellnback @ Sonar – Vancouver, BC - 500+
2008 – Monday Night Live - Ostwelve, Hellnback, Keep 6ix and Joose @ Lamplighter – Vancouver, BC
2007 – Abstract Rude w/DJ Vadim @ Richard’s on Richards – Vancouver, BC. - 1000+ in attendance
2005 - Kinnie Starr w/opening guests Manik, Ostwelve, Anne Shaefer, and Steph MacPherson – Central Bar & Grill – Victoria, BC - 300+ in attendance
2006 – “Van Gala One Fundraiser” @ The Rocky Mountaineer Train Station – Vancouver, BC - 500+
2006 – Kwantlen’s Black History Month Forum @ Kwantlen College Richmond Campus – Richmond, BC.
2007 – HipHop Uprising Tour w/ Rapsure Risin’ – Labrador, Newfoundland.
2007 - Kamataukatshiut Festival w/ Rapsure Risin’ and Wonderbolt Circus – Natuashish and Sheshashiu, Labrador.
2007 - Kamataukatshiut Festival w/ Rapsure Risin’ and Wonderbolt Circus – Natuashish and Sheshashiu, Labrador.
2007 – “GO Native Annual Showcase” w/Jen Podemski @ DNA Club – Toronto, ON - 300+ in attendance
2007 - “Native Hiphop Showcase” w/ Rez Official and Quese IMC @ El Mocambo – Toronto, ON
2010 – Aboriginal Pavilion Vancouver Winter Olympics – Vancouver BC – 500+ in attendence
Ostwelve Discography
Ostwelve - Ghetto Thrills and Freestyles – Indie – February 1998
Ostwelve - Forsaken Part One – Indie – May 2003
Manik - Real Eyes Realize Real Lies – Indie – June 2003
Redwire - Our Voice is Our Weapon Our Bullets The Truth 1 – Indie – February 2003
Sundayskool Dropoutz - Blunt Objects – indie – June 2003
Sundayskool Dropoutz - Bearspray – indie – February 2004
Ostwelve - Unreleased Tension – Indie - 2004
Sundayskool Dropoutz - MediaMedicine – indie – May 2004
DJ Moves - Reloaded Mixtape VOL.1 – Camobear – September 2004
Redwire - Our Voice is Our Weapon Our Bullets The Truth 1 – Indie – April 2005
Kaya - Kaya Mixtape Vol. 1 – Indie – 2005
Think NDN Radio - Settin’ Tha Precedence – June 2006
Zuluboy - Masihambisane Da 1st Hiphop Lessons - Native Rhythms – September 2006
Drunken Arseholes - Rural Pimps LP – Low Pressure – December 2006
Ostwelve - Redd Sabbath Mixx CeeDee – Indie – February 2006
Bigsoul Productions - Project One Generation – Bigsoul –January 2006
Sandy Scofield - Nikawiy Askiy - 2006
Discreet Da Chosen 1 - Gemini’s Conflict – Snake Eyes Ent.– May 2007
Native Earth Presents - Rhymekeepers – Native Earth – October 2007
Ostwelve - Forsaken&Unreleased – Indie – October 2007
Ostwelve - Anti-Gravity Dinosaurs – Indie – June 2008
Inez - Singsoulgirl - Letsemot - December 2008
Emotionz - Kush - Soundvibe - August 2009
Heart Beats - Compilation - Warriors Against Violence - January 2010
ANHTA - Compilation Vol. 1 - Ostwelve Productions - March 2010
Discreet Da Chosen 1 - Storytellin' - Knownwell - May 2010
Other Media Works
Ostwelve “Awaken” - Short Student Film original score - 2003
Helen Haig Brown “Tu Sudihnin” - Short Film original score - 2003
Dana Claxton “The Hill” - Media Installation original score - 2004
“Moccasin Flats” Seasons 2 and 3 selected music and compositions - 2004-2006
Dana Claxton “Storm Patients” - Media Installation original score - 2006
NAAF/Bigsoul Productions “Taking Pulse - Circle Of Justice” - Video - 2005
Ostwelve “We Are Here ” - Video Installation - 2006
“Moccasin Flats : Redemption” selected music and compositions - 2008
"On The Turn" - Animatic - selected music, composition and sound design - 2009
“Nehiyawetan” Childrens show on APTN - selected music and compositions – 2009
"Slay Dogs" - Short Film - selected compositions and performance - August 2009
Ostwelve - "Baphela Bantu" - music video - MyTV - February 2010
"The Road Forward" - Multimedia performance and composition - February 2010
"Cedar and Bamboo" - Documentary - selected music and compositions - March 2010
Ostwelve - "Boom Crash Bang!!!" - music video - April 2010
Ostwelve Weblinks
Ostwelve Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pa
Ostwelve Reverbnation Page:
http://www.reverbnation.co
Ostwelve Twitter page:
http://www.twitter.com/ost
Ostwelve Myspace Page:
http://www.myspace.com/ost
Ostwelve Soundclick page:
http://www.soundclick.com/
Ostwelve Youtube Channel (Ostwelvision):
http://www.youtube.com/use
Ostwelve CBC Radio 3 page:
http://radio3.cbc.ca/bands
Ostwelve / Ron Dean Harris IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2138137/
Also check me out on:
http://www.beatnation.org
