Joshua “Classic Roots” DePerry is an Indigenous DJ, music producer, and performer of Ojibwe/Blackfoot heritage. Hailing from Thunder Bay (Long Lake 58 First Nation) and now based in Toronto, he’s celebrated for fusing electronic music with traditional Indigenous rhythms. His high-energy sets light up dance floors while serving as a vibrant expression of cultural pride, resilience, and innovation.

Classic Roots has performed on national and international stages such as Future Forest, TIFF, imagineNATIVE, Luminato, and Trafalgar Square. His work has received critical acclaim and awards, including:

Best Pop CD, Hack the Planet — Indigenous Music Awards (2015)

Protagonist & scorer, Turning Tables — Hot Docs, TIFF (2018); Best Short Documentary — American Indian Film Festival (2018); licensed by CNN and WestJet (2020)

Artist-in-Residence, The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (2019 – Present)

Mikw Chiyâm Arts Concentration Program, Cree Nation of Mistissini (2016)

His 20-year sobriety milestone reflects a powerful journey of healing and purpose. Through Pow Wow boot camps, music production clinics, and youth leadership workshops, Classic Roots continues to uplift the next generation with strength, rhythm, and heart.