Indigenous peoples hold 20% of the earth's landmass but that land harbours 80% of the world's remaining biodiversity.
Indigenous peoples are spread across 70 countries worldwide.
'K.A.S.P' Rob Sawan Musician, Speaker, Storyteller
“Rapping for a Better Future”
Award winning Hip Hop artist, KASP engages his audiences with stories, messages, and performances about the importance of culture, and knowing and respecting yourself. 2015 Nominee for West Coast Rap Album of the Year, he passionately shares his life story of growing up with addictions, foster care, and gangs. KASP is a cutting edge performer with the talent to perform with DMC from Run DMC and has the courage and honesty to share his heart and experiences with any audience.
K.A.S.P. (Rob Sawan) survived the rough East Vancouver street life of alcohol and drug abuse to become a successful Hip Hop artist and speaker. Through both music and oral narrative, he tackles topics such as finding your inner warrior, and building a better future.
Through traditional and spiritual beliefs, he balances his personal, family, and career life through honesty and commitment. This multi-award winner has focused and shifted his music to a completely new level; he shares this with the audience to motivate and enhance their quality of life.
K.A.S.P has performed and produced with the legendary Hip Hop Icon DMC of RUN DMC, the West Coast Hip Hop pioneer “Chino XL”, as well as “Moka Only”. K.A.S.P has even gone into ‘battle’ with the incredible Nelly Furtado and has been seen opening shows with Canadian Hip Hop pioneer Choclair.
Sawan does not rest on his past successes but continues to strive for new and exciting material for his performances and his stories by staying current, relevant, and passionate. KASP has become the spokesperson for an app called “rep4rights” which is a youth and child rights educational and awareness program made available to enhance opportunities of a safe child theory.
KASP (Sawan) grew up in East Vancouver and by the age of 9 had witnessed more traumas and abuse then most grown adults will ever face in a lifetime. The multi-generational trauma and abuse that his family and community experienced were in a large part a result of the residential school era. He grew up in and out of the care of the child welfare system and eventually ended up in group homes and spent time living on the street. K.A.S.P grew up living in the dysfunctional cycle of alcoholism and drug abuse and that became the motivation for him to turn to music as a way to escape and deal with this harsh reality. He eventually moved from Vancouver and became part of a crew that developed, wrote, produced and marketed their own music independently and went on to win numerous prestigious awards that gave him national recognition.
KASP believes that you have to face your past in order to move forward, and he stands tall today to share his story and maintains his sobriety through his traditional and spiritual beliefs. Sawan, for example, participates in canoe journeys with youth, step programs, and is constantly working to for personal development. He balances his personal, family, and career life through honesty and commitment. KASP consistently updates his music to motivate his audience and to encourage them to persevere no matter what happens in life. His songs tell a story of his struggle and success and his brutal honesty will inspire all who listen to have the strength to overcome their own personal struggles.
KASP is dedicating his life to his family, his community and his people to show the youth that there is hope for a better today and brighter tomorrow.
-
The Journey of a Rapper
After growing up on the streets surrounded by addiction, death and disease and suffering multigenerational trauma. Kasp shares his stories to motivate youth.
-
Performances
Kasp has released 7 CD’s winning numerous prestigious awards and has worked with youth organizations, bands, health centers, MCFD, delegated agencies, jails settings, conferences and family events. Kasp is able to caters to many events and inspire a wide range of audiences.
-
CD Album
Living Tha Good Life
CD Album
Muskwa
-
Awards & Nominations
- 2015 Nominee for "West Coast Rap Album of the Year" at the C.U.T HipHop Awards
- 2014 Nominee Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards - "Aboriginal Entertainer Of The Year"
- 2014 Nominee Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards - "Best Rap HipHop CD"
- 2012 Nominee Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards - "Male Entertainer Of the Year"
- 2011 Nominee Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards - "Best HipHop/Rap Album"
- 2008 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards - "Best Hip Hop Album"
- 2008 Nominee Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award for - "Entertainer Of The Year"
- 2008 Nominee Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award for - "Best Group Our Duo"
- 2008 BC Interior Music Awards for - "Hip Hop Group Of The Year"
- 2008 West Coast Native American Music Award - "Youth Award"
- 2007 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Award Winner For - "Best HipHop/Rap CD"
- 2007 B.C. Okanagan Music Award for - "Hip Hop Group Of The Year"
- 2006 B.C. Okanagan Music Award for - "Hip Hop Group Of The Year"
- 2005 B.C. Okanagan Music Award for - "Hip Hop Group Of The Year"
- 2004 B.C. Okanagan Music Award for - "Hip Hop Group Of The Year"
- 2002 Nominee for Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards For - "Best Hip Hop Album"
- 2002 Aboriginal Innovative New Media Award
- 2001 E.D.D.Y. Award for Social Change
Speaker Categories:
Youth Champions Master of Ceremonies and Facilitators Cultural Advisors Dancers Education Indigenous Ceremonies Leadership and Mentorship Mental Health Motivation Spirituality Ted/RED Talks and WE Day Champions Indigenous Awareness and Diversity Actors Entertainers and CelebritiesK.A.S.P. (Rob Sawan) survived the rough East Vancouver street life of alcohol and drug abuse to become a successful Hip Hop artist and speaker. Through both music and oral narrative, he tackles topics such as finding your inner warrior, and building a better future.
Through traditional and spiritual beliefs, he balances his personal, family, and career life through honesty and commitment. This multi-award winner has focused and shifted his music to a completely new level; he shares this with the audience to motivate and enhance their quality of life.
K.A.S.P has performed and produced with the legendary Hip Hop Icon DMC of RUN DMC, the West Coast Hip Hop pioneer “Chino XL”, as well as “Moka Only”. K.A.S.P has even gone into ‘battle’ with the incredible Nelly Furtado and has been seen opening shows with Canadian Hip Hop pioneer Choclair.
Sawan does not rest on his past successes but continues to strive for new and exciting material for his performances and his stories by staying current, relevant, and passionate. KASP has become the spokesperson for an app called “rep4rights” which is a youth and child rights educational and awareness program made available to enhance opportunities of a safe child theory.
KASP (Sawan) grew up in East Vancouver and by the age of 9 had witnessed more traumas and abuse then most grown adults will ever face in a lifetime. The multi-generational trauma and abuse that his family and community experienced were in a large part a result of the residential school era. He grew up in and out of the care of the child welfare system and eventually ended up in group homes and spent time living on the street. K.A.S.P grew up living in the dysfunctional cycle of alcoholism and drug abuse and that became the motivation for him to turn to music as a way to escape and deal with this harsh reality. He eventually moved from Vancouver and became part of a crew that developed, wrote, produced and marketed their own music independently and went on to win numerous prestigious awards that gave him national recognition.
KASP believes that you have to face your past in order to move forward, and he stands tall today to share his story and maintains his sobriety through his traditional and spiritual beliefs. Sawan, for example, participates in canoe journeys with youth, step programs, and is constantly working to for personal development. He balances his personal, family, and career life through honesty and commitment. KASP consistently updates his music to motivate his audience and to encourage them to persevere no matter what happens in life. His songs tell a story of his struggle and success and his brutal honesty will inspire all who listen to have the strength to overcome their own personal struggles.
KASP is dedicating his life to his family, his community and his people to show the youth that there is hope for a better today and brighter tomorrow.
Speaker Summary
Location: Canada
Language: English
Website: Click Here
Featured Speakers
Deanna Burgart
Self-proclaimed ‘Indigeneer’, Deanna Burgart dedicates her career to combining Engineering principles and commitments with an Indigenous respect for Mother Earth, to find solutions to today's challenges. She focuses on the power of integrating Indigenous worldviews, to assist both industry wants and the public needs. Deanna is a highly sought after expert in uniting diverse communities, through understanding each other and identifying common goals.
Joel Pedersen
There is only one First Nations Chief Warrant Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, and Joel Pedersen is it. As most senior non-commissioned officer appointed by the Minister of National Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff, Joel Pedersen is the embodiment of what it takes to reach the top and never give up. Decorated soldier, Police Sergeant and Fitness Guru. Joel inspires audiences to do more than what is expected, to appreciate your strengths and limitations and to develop their leadership potential.
Joseph Wabegijig
What if together Industry and Indigenous communities could create a safer, natural, and more effective means to reclamate land?
Joseph Wabegijig has experience doing just that! As Vice-President of the Aboriginal Environmental Leadership Circle (AELC) and the Indigenous Projects Advisor for Hatch, one of the world’s largest Engineering firms, Joseph shares with you his expertise from working on major projects all over the world. Joseph’s knowledge and experience of solving complex environmental and engineering problems, is matched by his passion and ability to strengthen relationships between Aboriginal people, government, and industry.
Julie Ann Wriston
Julie Ann Wriston was one of the youngest, female, aboriginal CEOs of a multimillion dollar corporation in the mining sector in Saskatchewan. Her expertise and perspective on corporate development, strategic planning, and community engagement are second to none. Whether for-profit or non, Julie Ann provides the leadership and knowledge to expand your impact and sustainability. Her inspirational story and corporate success will capture your heart and inspire audiences to excel.