“OPLIAM performs a mix of Reggae, electronic and hip-hop. “Nothing like playing for an indigenous audience if you know what I’m saying,” he said to begin his show. He is Native American on his father’s side, a heritage that often transcends into his music. OPLIAM brought the Indigenous Peoples’ Concert together with the help of Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago and played the Indigenous Peoples’ March in D.C. in January 2019.” (Elena Bruess/Medill)
North Western University
“…as well as Opliam, the rootsy hip-hop fusion project of concert co producer Liam McDonald.”
Chicago Reader
“Chicago-area artist OPLIAM — Liam McDonald — will take the Old Town School stage along with Frank Waln and the NuFolk Rebel Alliance for the Indigenous Peoples Concert, a night showcasing the diverse and vibrant talents of Native American musicians. The Minnesota-native OPLIAM, who also co produced the event, hopes it can help boost consciousness and awareness of native cultures through the arts.”
Daily Herald
“For one, his upbeat mix of hip-hop, rock and roll, and reggae is both catchy and funky enough to get anyone’s toes tapping. But OPLIAM’s music goes farther than just infectious rhythms and enticing melodies: he uses his talent to make impactful statements about the struggles that indigenous people continue to go through.”
In The Loop
“McDonald, who goes by the stage name OPLIAM, has found a way to incorporate his struggles into his music…McDonald’s music fuses genres such as electronic, reggae and hip hop, plus he is an acoustic singer songwriter.”
KBJR 6
Additional articles:
Northwestern University (Oct.2020)