Story and photos by Valerie Chandler
Everyone was toe-tapping in their seats or standing while waving their hands to the beat when award-winning hip-hop artist, Native American dancer and motivational speaker Christian Takes Gun Parrish, professionally known as Supaman, performed recently at the Government Center of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in Manistee.
LRBOI sponsored the November event in recognition of Native American Heritage Month.
Supaman shared with 80-plus attendees his passion for music combined with inspirational words of encouragement and love. He was accompanied by world-renowned deejay Logan Howard, aka DJ Element.
Parrish hails from Montana, where he is a member of the Apsaalooke Nation. His unique Supaman presentation combines Native culture, incorporates Indigenous issues, connects with the audience on multiple levels and provides a pause in life for laughter.
He is currently on the Medicine Bundle tour with Howard (DJ Element), who is a member of the Pima Tribe from the Salt River Indian Reservation in Arizona. Howard has worked with artists from LL Cool J to those just getting started.
According to biographical information found on his website, Supaman’s music videos have received millions of views on Facebook and YouTube. In 2017, he was the recipient of MTV’s VMA award for “Best Fight Against the System”. He is also a NAMMY (Native American Music Award) winner, “North American Indigenous Image Award” winner, and a seven-time “Tunney Award” winner. Supaman has also received the “Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Award” in Canada for best video and was voted MTV’s new Artist of the Week. In 2018, his nominations brought home awards for Best Hip-Hop Album and Best Producer for the Indigenous Music Awards.
The crowd that greeted Supaman and DJ Element was multi-generational. The pair performed some improv hip-hop music, and Supaman engaged the audience by asking for volunteers to provide their own flair of “beats” for a quick collaboration. With “scratch” and looping assistance from DJ Element, Supaman played the flute, added a bit of beat-boxing, sang and performed some exhibition-style Native American fancy dancing.
Whether he was singing, showing video clips, speaking from the heart or engaging in comedic banter, Supaman’s messages were all positive. He affirmed the blessing of Native Americans being present today and defying efforts of eradication. He shared lessons from his childhood, such as making sure your heart is in a good place when you dance because people watch and can see your heart through your dance.
Throughout his performance, Supaman conveyed the importance of loving and supporting one another. He said what everyone does in life is up to one person: yourself. He explained that it is our job to be compassionate and encourage growth, love, kindness and values. He added that each of us needs to determine what is valuable to us and make decisions that guide our path in that direction.
Attendees had the opportunity to have their picture taken with Supaman and obtain his autograph while enjoying some refreshments. At the end of the evening, a traveling song was sung to close the event, and everyone went home having heard powerful, uplifting and inspirational messages.
For more information about Supaman, to listen to his new album or to order from his Good Medicine Clothing line, go to: www.supamanhiphop.net. Links to his YouTube channel, Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram accounts, as well as to his music on Spotify and iTunes, can be found there.
Valerie Chandler lives in Wellston with her husband Matthew and their border collie/Australian shepherd. She is a citizen and employee of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. She is also a cancer survivor and loves to spend time with her family.
For more about Native American Heritage Month, read:
