Review: Radmilla Cody - Shi Keyah

The 46th Miss Navajo (1997-1998) Radmilla Cody is a beautiful Navajo model, award-winning Navajo singer and anti-domestic violence activist.  She is the first and remains the only Miss Navajo partially of African-American heritage.

There is only one Radmilla Cody, and her gift to the world of song is so unique, so addictive ... so pure and different than any other Native American music that I have heard before.  She sings folk songs in the language of her Native American ancestors with soul.  Cody bridges cultures with her voice. You can feel the heat and passion of the music.  It is spellbinding and inspirational!

Radmilla Cody was born into the Tla’a’schi’i’(Red Bottom People) clan of the Navajo Nation.  She was born and raised  in the plateaus of the Navajo Nation.

Cody says her singing career began in a sheep corral behind her grandmother's home on the Navajo reservation and her first audience were the sheep. Her inspiration came from listening to the beautiful sounds of nature around her. 

This beautiful and talented biracial, African American - Navajo Goddess currently has five albums, and has contributed to numerous compilation albums, all released by Canyon Records.  Her most recent album Shi Keyah - Songs For The People, is 14-tracks of original music all sung in the traditional style of the Dine'.  The music is to honor Mother Earth, the homeland of the people and the veterans who served the great America, with a splash of humor on a few of the songs.  The album is lovely ... peaceful and authentic.  She includes both the lyrics in English and the Diné language, making it possible to really understand and know what the song is about.  I love this album!!!  To get a taste, please visit Canyon Records.























Track Listings

1. Morning Greeting (3:37)
2. Honoring the Homeland (2:44)
3. Beautiful Mother Earth (5:20)
4. Navajo Warrior (2:55)
5. Code Talker (3:35)
6. Where You Are? (3:24)
7. Commodity Blues (2:28)
8. Ropers Song (3:43)
9. Ch iyáán Biyiin / Native Food Song (2:42)
10. They Care For Me / Moccasin Song (2:46)
11. Shi Kéyah / Five Agencies Song (3:44)
12. Ayáásh Dootl izh / The Bluebird (2:47)
13. Shí Naashá (2:51)
14. Nihá´á´lyaa / A Gift to Us (3:08)