Sled Island and Servus present: billy woods, Drezus, Bijaan, Tinywiings, afk and more
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billy woods
Whether founding a record label, writing a children’s book, or forming rap supergroups, billy woods has an experimental, entrepreneurial touch that has influenced the world of underground hip-hop for decades.
billy woods introduced himself to the world in 2003 with his lo-fi rap mix tape Camouflage. Released on his DIY record label Backwoodz Studioz, this album featured extensive collaboration with Vordul Mega of Cannibal Ox. His first fully solo record, The Chalice, came one year later, and it’s been all gas no brakes ever since. He’s released nine solo albums to date, his most recent being 2025’s Golliwog, a menacing batch of abstract hip-hop that earned rave reviews from Exclaim! and The Guardian.
On top of his prolific solo efforts, billy is one-half of the rap duo Armand Hammer with ELUCID, with which he’s dropped seven studio albums and numerous mix-tapes of East coast-flavoured rhymes. Not to be outdone, he also records as Super Chron Flight Brothers with Privilege, and is a member of rap supergroup, The Reavers.
Being the son of a Marxist intellectual from Zimbabwe and a Jamaican English teacher, it comes as no surprise that billy’s writing is dense and literary. The narrative complexity of his rhymes are matched by the unconventional, uncompromising approach he has to production. This is an artist who is unafraid of the more confrontational sides of songwriting.
With a deep discography and an increasingly rare sense of integrity in his craft, billy woods is a true original, with a bumpin’ live show that is not to be missed.
Drezus
An award-winning hip-hop artist and powerful cultural spokesperson from the Muskowekwan and Cote First Nations, Drezus is known for the exceptional strength of his sound and the gravity of his lyrics. With substantial achievements including an MTV Music Video Award, a JUNO nomination, and a SOCAN Indigenous Songwriter Award, we’re very excited to finally have him at Sled Island.
Bijaan
This Calgary-based MC wields an artistry that bridges continents and cultures. With roots in East Africa and India, he brings a distinctly global perspective to hip-hop. From releasing mixtapes in high school to performing at major events such as NXNE and JUNO Week, Bijaan has carved out a place for himself as a rising voice in Canada’s hip-hop scene.
Tinywiings
Known for sharp bars, magnetic delivery and genre-bending beats, trap-meets-club rapper Tinywiings balances humour, confidence and emotional honesty, cutting through oversaturation with personality first. Unapologetic, engaging, and impossible to overlook, her clever lyricism transforms into moments that truly stick.
afk
Meet NYC's best-kept secret. afk fuses hip-hop with electronic, punk and dance to bring a bombastic yet calculated sound to the masses. With its urgent electronic production and moody lyrics, the 2024 single “ricochet” is an excellent introduction to the industrial glitch-hop trio. Experience catharsis and connection. Witness a new frontier for hip-hop.
Halfcut & Cole The God
With a style that’s unapologetically authentic, Calgary rap duo Halfcut & Cole The God (AKA Cutty & Cole) are two of the coldest from the North. They bring you raw, hard-hitting hip-hop with gritty beats, sharp lyricism, and intricate production. Not to mention an unmatched live performance best described as a two-headed, moonshine-drinking, fire-breathing monster.
Tanajah
Initially hailing from Maryland and building a loyal fanbase in Denmark, hip-hop artist Tanajah has developed a unique cross-cultural sound with depth and edge. Her performances are dynamic, immersive, and rooted in connection, inviting listeners into her world with authenticity and purpose. Whether backed by hard-hitting production or more melodic textures, she delivers each song with intention and emotional clarity.
Important info:
Start and running times are subject to change. Please check the Sled Island schedule in June for exact set times.
Upon entering a festival venue, the passholder agrees to being photographed, filmed or recorded in that venue, and agrees to the publication, reproduction, distribution and broadcast of all photographs, video or other recordings of the passholder's voice or likeness without further notice or compensation in any publicity, advertisement or other publication carried-out by, or on behalf of, Sled Island and in perpetuity in any manner and media whatsoever, including print, broadcast or internet.
Everyone has the right to feel safe and included at Sled Island. All festival attendees must abide by Sled Island's safer spaces and inclusion policy and agree to the code of conduct, which can be found at SledIsland.com/SaferSpaces.
All passes and tickets are non-refundable.
About Sled Island:
Sled Island is an annual five-day independent music and arts festival in Calgary, Alberta that brings together a community of music, comedy and art with over 25,000 attendees in multiple venues across the city. For more information, visit SledIsland.com.
Sled Island acknowledges Calgary as the traditional territory of the Blackfoot and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Ĩyãħé Nakoda First Nations, including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Goodstoney First Nations. Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6).
Whether founding a record label, writing a children’s book, or forming rap supergroups, billy woods has an experimental, entrepreneurial touch that has influenced the world of underground hip-hop for decades.
billy woods introduced himself to the world in 2003 with his lo-fi rap mix tape Camouflage. Released on his DIY record label Backwoodz Studioz, this album featured extensive collaboration with Vordul Mega of Cannibal Ox. His first fully solo record, The Chalice, came one year later, and it’s been all gas no brakes ever since. He’s released nine solo albums to date, his most recent being 2025’s Golliwog, a menacing batch of abstract hip-hop that earned rave reviews from Exclaim! and The Guardian.
On top of his prolific solo efforts, billy is one-half of the rap duo Armand Hammer with ELUCID, with which he’s dropped seven studio albums and numerous mix-tapes of East coast-flavoured rhymes. Not to be outdone, he also records as Super Chron Flight Brothers with Privilege, and is a member of rap supergroup, The Reavers.
Being the son of a Marxist intellectual from Zimbabwe and a Jamaican English teacher, it comes as no surprise that billy’s writing is dense and literary. The narrative complexity of his rhymes are matched by the unconventional, uncompromising approach he has to production. This is an artist who is unafraid of the more confrontational sides of songwriting.
With a deep discography and an increasingly rare sense of integrity in his craft, billy woods is a true original, with a bumpin’ live show that is not to be missed.
Drezus
An award-winning hip-hop artist and powerful cultural spokesperson from the Muskowekwan and Cote First Nations, Drezus is known for the exceptional strength of his sound and the gravity of his lyrics. With substantial achievements including an MTV Music Video Award, a JUNO nomination, and a SOCAN Indigenous Songwriter Award, we’re very excited to finally have him at Sled Island.
Bijaan
This Calgary-based MC wields an artistry that bridges continents and cultures. With roots in East Africa and India, he brings a distinctly global perspective to hip-hop. From releasing mixtapes in high school to performing at major events such as NXNE and JUNO Week, Bijaan has carved out a place for himself as a rising voice in Canada’s hip-hop scene.
Tinywiings
Known for sharp bars, magnetic delivery and genre-bending beats, trap-meets-club rapper Tinywiings balances humour, confidence and emotional honesty, cutting through oversaturation with personality first. Unapologetic, engaging, and impossible to overlook, her clever lyricism transforms into moments that truly stick.
afk
Meet NYC's best-kept secret. afk fuses hip-hop with electronic, punk and dance to bring a bombastic yet calculated sound to the masses. With its urgent electronic production and moody lyrics, the 2024 single “ricochet” is an excellent introduction to the industrial glitch-hop trio. Experience catharsis and connection. Witness a new frontier for hip-hop.
Halfcut & Cole The God
With a style that’s unapologetically authentic, Calgary rap duo Halfcut & Cole The God (AKA Cutty & Cole) are two of the coldest from the North. They bring you raw, hard-hitting hip-hop with gritty beats, sharp lyricism, and intricate production. Not to mention an unmatched live performance best described as a two-headed, moonshine-drinking, fire-breathing monster.
Tanajah
Initially hailing from Maryland and building a loyal fanbase in Denmark, hip-hop artist Tanajah has developed a unique cross-cultural sound with depth and edge. Her performances are dynamic, immersive, and rooted in connection, inviting listeners into her world with authenticity and purpose. Whether backed by hard-hitting production or more melodic textures, she delivers each song with intention and emotional clarity.
Important info:
Start and running times are subject to change. Please check the Sled Island schedule in June for exact set times.
Upon entering a festival venue, the passholder agrees to being photographed, filmed or recorded in that venue, and agrees to the publication, reproduction, distribution and broadcast of all photographs, video or other recordings of the passholder's voice or likeness without further notice or compensation in any publicity, advertisement or other publication carried-out by, or on behalf of, Sled Island and in perpetuity in any manner and media whatsoever, including print, broadcast or internet.
Everyone has the right to feel safe and included at Sled Island. All festival attendees must abide by Sled Island's safer spaces and inclusion policy and agree to the code of conduct, which can be found at SledIsland.com/SaferSpaces.
All passes and tickets are non-refundable.
About Sled Island:
Sled Island is an annual five-day independent music and arts festival in Calgary, Alberta that brings together a community of music, comedy and art with over 25,000 attendees in multiple venues across the city. For more information, visit SledIsland.com.
Sled Island acknowledges Calgary as the traditional territory of the Blackfoot and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Ĩyãħé Nakoda First Nations, including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Goodstoney First Nations. Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6).
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Where is it happening?
Royal Canadian Legion #1, 116 7 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0H5, Canada
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherSled Island
