Tara “T-Rhyme” Campbell says her and Lindsay “Eekwol” Knight lived parallel lives before finally deciding to collaborate on a musical project together. Despite both being mothers and balancing jobs, Knight said that once you’re passionate about creating something important, you make it work.

Eekwol and Tara “T-Rhyme” Campbell will continue touring their For Women By Women project, which officially launched this winter. Photo credit Sweetmoon Photography

For Women By Women is a collaboration aimed at celebrating women and their successes. Both Campbell and Knight are the perfect women behind the project with a combination of years of experience in the hip-hop scene. The scene itself lacks greatly in female representation, so the desire to fill those spaces and use them to empower and influence Indigenous women and girls was of high priority to the artists.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I was always dreaming about being a performer,” Campbell said. From English River First Nation, she credits community for her growth as an artist. The project is a way of giving back, she said. “We just want to help create safe spaces for our women. and youth, especially Indigenous women and youth.”

Knight, a member of the Muskoday First Nation, said its community that inspires her to create. And being an Indigenous woman, she feels as though she was born political.

“We don’t have a choice other than to be about community if we want to come from an authentic place,” she said. “There’s no time or energy for mindless music when there’s so much work to do.

For Women By Women toured in early fall and officially launched this winter, and both performers’ commitment to their community was evident in their turnout and online support.

“It was amazing to see and feel the love and support by our peers in the arts, inner-city and beyond,” Campbell noted.

Because of an early bout of support and success, For Women By Women has already reached the #1 spot on the National hip-hop charts. The recognition, plus the future plans to tour the album, means that the project’s listenership will only continue to grow.

Campbell cites the success of the project as a mutual love and respect for Knight.

“It is a beautiful thing when we can still show love and support for one another despite our differences,” she said.

“Once you let go of the focus on impressing the industry and adhering to standards that are usually patriarchal, your authenticity shines through and you will create what you were meant to create,” Knight said. As far as advice for those looking to explore hip-hop, Campbell said it’s also important to be kind to your own creations. “You never know who you are going to influence with your work.”

What’s in the future for the project? Knight said communities have already started extending invitations to the duo. “We love working with Indigenous communities, and young people in particular,” she said. The project even has plans leading into summer, with early requests from music festivals rolling in.