Supaman Brings Unique Blend of Music, Comedy, Dance to UCM Feb. 19 While Introducing Audience to Native American Culture

 

Shown wearing tribal regalia that he incorporates into his live concerts to educate his audience on Native American traditions, Supaman, will perform at the University of Central Missouri on Feb. 19 during the 10th Annual Trading Moon American Arts Festival.

WARRENSBURG, MO – Part of the 10th annual Trading Moon Native American Arts Festival, the performing artist professionally known as Supaman brings his unique blend of hip-hop music, comedy and dance to the University of Central Missouri at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19. The live, free concert introducing Native American culture to the campus community takes place in Hendricks Hall.

Supaman is making his second visit to UCM since his first performance at the Trading Moon Native American Arts Festival in November 2022. His concert at UCM is an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and community members to enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience that is not only entertaining but helps to educate the audience about Indigenous people and culture through innovative melodies and lyrics shared by the award-winning performer.

Supaman’s appearance at UCM is sponsored by the university’s Division of Music, Office of Student Experience and Engagement, and the Center for Multiculturalism and Inclusivity. It is made possible through a Missouri Arts Council grant, and supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Born in Seattle, Washington, Supaman’s given name is Christian Parrish Takes the Gun. He is a member of the Apsáalooke Nation, and makes his home on a reservation near Billings, Montana.

In interviews conducted by a variety of news organizations across the United States, including NPR, Supaman has spoken about his childhood and the challenges of growing up with parents as alcoholics, struggles with poverty and issues created by being a young wannabe rapper enchanted with the more negative aspects of hip-hop. After a rough start in life, and becoming a father in his early ‘20s, his focus turned toward using his abilities to provide a more positive message to significantly engage with Native American young people. He has continued to follow that path, and today Supaman is one of the best–known Native American hip-hop acts. In addition to his music, his performances include dressing in full tribal regalia, not as a costume but as a tool to help educate people on Native American traditions, including showing his audience the kind of fancy dancing regalia that is worn during Native American celebrations.

Supaman founded the Native American hip-hop group Rezwrecktion in 2003, which received the Native American Music Award in 2005 for its first album, “It’s Time.” Now working as a solo artist, he has since released four more albums, and has performed with artists such as Dave Matthews and the Black Eyed Peas, and in 2017 won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Video with a Social Message. He was nominated and received multiple awards for his work as a DJ, singer, rapper and a fancy dancer. This includes the Tuney Award which he won seven times, the Aboriginal Peoples Music Choice Award, and the North American Indigenous Music Award. In 2013, his music and dancing skills were featured on a float during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

For more information about Supaman’s live concert at UCM, please contact Shari Bax, Ph.D., vice president for Student Experience and Engagement at UCM, at bax@ucmo.edu.