Tracker Pixel for Entry

​Cold Sweat empowers community through hip-hop

Music | April 28th, 2016

North Dakota roars for hip-hop. Some people here in rock/country-town just don’t seem to know it yet. Perhaps it comes from the influence of Minneapolis, with its strong presence of underground/alternative rappers. Or maybe hip-hop’s dominating presence nationwide plays an effect.

Of course, the genre has influence over our local artists, including Minot/Grand Forks-native Ryan Tetzloff, a.k.a. Cold Sweat. The rapper just released an 11-track album, “Right To Arm A Bear,” which stays true to the genre of urban-influenced hip-hop but also sounds sincerely North Dakotan.

Cold Sweat has a fierce, believable rap voice that is crisp with diction and charisma. It’s easy to understand each of his words, which he delivers like a fearless “animal” who’s not afraid to take action and say what’s on his mind, even if it leaves him at odds with anti-change, conservative-minded folk. He speaks of human struggle and political dismay yet makes it a point to take the high road and stay optimistic. He clearly has a desire to be heard, make a difference in his community and empower others like him to stand up and make a difference.

His optimistic, positive presence has been helping to bolster the rest of the rap and music community. Cold Sweat welcomes the collaboration and creation of music between musicians representing different parts of the Dakotas and different genres of music. His release show on April 29 includes performances by five other groups/artists, including Wes Eisenhauer of South Dakota hip-hop duo Soulcrate Music. Cold Sweat is a member of the ND hip-hop collective Zen People, which includes rappers Jantzonia (Jantzen Wynne) and Real Truth (Shawn Trottier). Additionally, the record is a collaborative effort that has the touch of Midwest-rap heavy hitters Kipp G, DJ Buck Nastee and Manny Phesto, along with the contribution of alternative music makers Doc McFly, Savannah Bashus and Graham Thomas.

The musicality of the record is certainly hip-hop rooted, yet it has a heavy presence of alternative/indie music. Doc McFly samples non-hip-hop artist such as Beirut and Band of Horses, and also takes some odd, yet suitable risks by sampling melodies from “Willie Wonka And The Chocolate Factory.”

All the songs are slower to medium paced, which gives the album a very mellow, bob-your-head feel. It’s music that’s appropriate for vibing to at a party, in a car or at an intimate, yet energetic concert. The soundscapes are welcoming, thoughtful and at times serious in order to reflect the heavy subjects. However, the music and words are far from polarizing. They’re instead made to provoke thoughts or emotions. Listeners will find themselves smiling, laughing and reflecting while listening to “Right To Arm A Bear,” much credit to the raw talent of the artists who made the record possible.

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.com Ten North Dakota communities will participate in the nationwide No Kings Day of Peaceful Action on October 18. The grassroots movement is a nonviolent protest against President Trump’s…

By Michael M. Millermichael.miller@ndsu.edu I would like to recognize some of the scholarly Germans from Russia from Canada and USA shared on the GRHC website. There are additional names not included here. If you have suggestions…

Friday, October 31, doors 8 p.m. show starts at 8:30 p.m.The Aquarium above Dempey’s, 226 N. Broadway, FargoThe annual Aquarium Halloween Cover Show is back and it is stacked. And this time there are a limited amount of presale…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com At the end of September, downtown Fargo said goodbye to another old friend; the Spirit Room closed its doors, marking the end of an era. The Spirit Room room has been a fixture downtown for the…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comAnother public health crisis besides guns: lack of empathyThe Sisters of Charity have finally had enough of their Trumper boss, Roman Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York. One of the most…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Nichole Hensenrickgion@gmail.com The wait is finally over. Those who have visited Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Cafe lately know about the recent major additions and renovations that have taken place over the past…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Dakotah Faye is a hip-hop artist from Minot, North Dakota, and he’s had a busy year. He’s released two albums. This summer he opened for Tech N9ne in Sturgis and will be opening for Bone…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.comNoémie Merlant, working from a script she wrote with Pauline Munier and her “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” collaborator Celine Sciamma, directs herself in “The Balconettes” (the…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Gallery 4 downtown recently celebrated its 50 year anniversary, making it one of the longest consecutively running galleries in the country. With different membership tiers, there are 17 primary…

Press release“Shakespeare with a sharpened edge.” To launch its 2025 – 2026 season, Theatre NDSU is thrilled to team up with Moorhead-based organization Theatre B to perform a co-production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com When we are sick, all we want is a cure. You go to the doctor, they give you a pill, you take it for a bit, then you are cured. It happens. But unfortunately, it is not always the case. …

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.comMoral accountability and the crisis of leadership  As a recovering person living one day at a time for the last 35 years, I have learned not to judge others because I have not walked in…