Jana brings ‘Urban Indian’ dance sound

One-name up-and-coming pop singer Jana’s claim to fame is her heritage: 100 percent Native American, of the Lumbee tribe on the East Coast, and she’s proud of it.

“I’m staunch about letting people know about my heritage,” she said.

But when she signed her first record deal, label executives tried to mold her to be the next J-Lo. They even went as far as releasing an album, without her permission, under the name Jana Maria.

“It was around the time of Ricky Martin and J-Lo, the Latino explosion. Since my middle name is Maria, they thought I would be more accessible as a Latina artist. I’ve taken a couple of years of Spanish, but I don’t speak it,” Jana said during a telephone interview from her home in New York.

She still questions why Latino culture is considered more acceptable than Native American culture.

“How would it be different if I were Spanish? I don’t know why they thought Native American culture couldn’t appeal to other ethnic groups,” Jana said.

“Maybe there’s a major guilt trip. Maybe they think it’s too political, like I’m going to have a prevailing message about how Native Americans were killed.”

Instead of turning into the Latina clone that execs were trying to make of her, Jana (born Jana Maria Mishonee) walked away from her record deal to find her own way.

It turned out to be a good move.

When her first single, “Ooh Baby Baby,” hit the Billboard charts in 1999, she became the first Native American on the dance charts.

Jana’s next single, “More Than Life,” was remixed by MTV’s DJ Scribble and Anthony Acid, which garnered her first Nammy Award (a sort-of Native American Grammy) for Best Pop Performer of 2001.

Jana made more waves, for better or worse, when she came back with a techno-tinted cover of Led Zeppelin’s classic “Stairway to Heaven.”

“Radio stations would not play it; they wouldn’t even give it a chance. They said it’s sacred and that it can’t be covered. But it made the Billboard sales charts, so people are buying it. But I couldn’t get it on the radio,” Jana said.

Although all of Jana’s singles are meshes of organic Native American instrumentation over synthesized percussion and synth melodies, her debut album, “Flash of the Firefly,” incorporates world influences from Asian music, Middle Eastern music, and yes, even Latin styles.

Catch Jana live Saturday at 8 p.m. at Northern Quest Casino. Tickets are $35 for the show and a buffet, or $25 for just the show. Tickets for Camas members are $30 for the show plus a buffet, or $20 for the show only, available through TicketsWest, (509) 325-SEAT or www.ticketswest.com.

Deez Nutz

Terrance Scott, aka DJ Cool Nutz, has more hip-hop pull than one might expect coming out of Portland.

Just check the list of artists the emcee, producer and manager has recorded with: Kurupt, Sticky Fingaz, Ras Kass, WC, Baby Bash, Mac Dre, N2Deep, Lifesavas and more.

He’s got a host of artists on his Jus’ Family Records label that is following in his footsteps. One of those artists, R&B singer and hip-hop hunk Bosco has produced tracks for E-40 (remember the “Sprinkle Me” remix?), Lil Jon, DMX and Bubba Sparks. Bosco also has a joint venture with 40 Sik Wit It Records.

The rest of the Jus’ Family artists may not have the resume, but they are equally talented. The label’s roster gets heavy spins on the radio in Portland and has opened for acts such as Blackalicious, GZA, Cappadonna, Living Legends, Aceyalone, Ice Cube and Run-D.M.C.

Spokane hip-hop heads no doubt remember Nutz’ horde of talent from the many visits to the area, the most memorable being the opening slot for The Roots in May.

Along with fellow Portland hip-hop soldiers Lifesavas, Nutz and his cohorts are on a mission to make a name for hip-hop in the Northwest.

Cool Nutz, Maniac Lok, Kane Related, Ambedext, Qwel, DJ Chill (from Five Fingers of Funk), and Maker perform Thursday at 9:30 p.m. at The B-Side, 230 W. Riverside. There is a $5 cover.

Club hoppin’

• The wild-and-crazy punks from Lopez return to The B-Side on Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. with locals The Shirkers and Mang. There is a $5 cover.

• The Side Project and Burns Like Hellfire will be at The Shop tonight, 924 S. Perry. There is a $5 cover.

• BOBfest winner Mylestone and band members’ auntie Annie O’Neill play tonight at 7 p.m. at The Spike Coffee House, 122 S. Monroe. The suggested donation is an awkward $3.56. Round up.