Supaman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Supaman
Supaman in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Christian Parrish Takes the Gun
Also known as	Billy Ills
Origin	Crow Agency, Montana
Genres	Native American hip hop

Christian Parrish Takes the Gun, known as Supaman, is an Apsáalooke rapper and fancy war dancer. He grew up in Crow Agency, Montana. Supaman is famous for blending traditional Native American culture with modern hip-hop music. He uses his music to share important messages and inspire young people.

Supaman's Early Life and Music Journey

Supaman had a challenging start to his life. He spent some time in foster care before his mother raised him. He discovered his love for music in the 1990s. He started as a DJ after hearing music from another Native American artist, Litefoot. They even toured together in 1999.

Christian began dancing at powwows when he was in fourth grade. Around the same time, he started writing poetry. This soon led him to rap music. He felt a strong connection to rap because the songs often talked about struggles he understood. He chose the name "Supaman" during a DJ competition. Later, he had a special experience that inspired him to create more meaningful and uplifting music. He felt he was meant to create his music independently.

Supaman's Career Highlights

In 2003, Supaman helped start a Native American hip-hop group called Rezawrecktion. Their first album, It's Time, won a Native American Music Award in 2005. Since then, Supaman has released several solo albums. His song "Why?", featuring Acosia Red Elk, received a lot of attention.

One of his most popular songs is "Prayer Loop Song." In this song, Supaman uses many instruments like the drum and the flute. He also beatboxes, raps, and mixes different Native American sounds. He created the song and video as an audition for America's Got Talent.

Besides making music, Supaman visits schools to teach students about Native American history and culture. He has performed on the live music show Wonderland on MTV. In 2013, his music and fancy dancing were featured on a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Supaman often performs his music while wearing his traditional fancy dance outfit. He started doing this by chance when he had to perform right after a dance show at a school. Supaman often combines spiritual ideas with his rap music. He creates all his albums himself, from writing and singing to designing the covers.

Supaman's Activism and Awards

Supaman is a strong supporter of Native American rights. He often visited Standing Rock to perform and speak during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. He was featured in the music video "Stand Up / Stand N Rock #NoDAPL" by Taboo and MAG7. This video won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Video with a Social Message in 2017.

Supaman has also received many awards for his work as a DJ, singer, rapper, and fancy dancer. These include the Tuney Award, which he won seven times, the Aboriginal Peoples Music Choice Award, and the North America Indigenous Music Award.

Recent Albums

Supaman released his fifth album, Illuminatives, in January 2018. In May 2021, he released another album called Medicine Bundle. His album The Dream was released in 2024.

Discography

• It's Time (2005, with Rezawrecktion)
• Honest to God (2007)
• Crow Hop (2008)
• Deadly Penz (2009)
• Gorilla (2013)
• Illuminatives (2018)
• Medicine Bundle (2021)
• The Dream (2024)