Native American Dancer, Inspirational Entertainer Supaman Brings One-of-a-Kind Performance to UCM Stage Nov. 8

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 Nov. 8 during the Ninth Annual Trading Moon American Arts Festival.

WARRENSBURG, MO – Supaman, a performance artist who inspires others by merging into his live concerts Native American culture with comedy, dance and his unique blend of hip-hop music, will perform at the University of Central Missouri on Tuesday, Nov. 8. He takes the stage for this free, public event at 7 p.m. in Elliott Student Union 240 as part of the Ninth Annual Trading Moon Native American Arts Festival. 

The 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 an award-winning performer. Supaman’s visit is sponsored by the university’s Division of Music, Office of Student Experience and Engagement, and the Center for Multiculturalism and Inclusivity. The performance 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 who struggled with alcoholism, living in poverty, and isuses created by being a young wannabe rapper enchanted with the more negative aspects of hip-hop. When he was a young father in his early 20s he re-focused his abilities in order to significantly engage with Native young people and provide a more positive message. Continuing to follow that path, today Supaman is one of the best–known Native hip-hop acts. In addition to his music, Supaman's performances include dressing in full tribal regalia, not as a costume but as a tool to help educate people on Native 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, and 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 fancy dancing skills were featured on a float during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

 
For more information about Supaman’s live concert at UCM, please contact Dr. Shari Bax, vice president of Student Experience and Engagement, at 660-543-4114.