Supaman (Profile)
Written by: Izzy Sinclair J
Even today, Native Americans are fighting for their rights and to revie the culture that has been villainized and made illegal through colonialization. Supaman is a Native American artist that combines rap with traditional Native American music and fancy dance. The content of his music covers a broad range of issues and maintains the spiritual elements of traditional music. His music and performances focus on his culture and uplift his identity and other Native American performers. He has won several music awards after originally gaining recognition after performing a rap after he had participated in a traditional Native American dance and was still wearing his traditional dress. He had worked with Taboo from Black Eyed Peas and was featured on a documentary called “Rumble: The Indians who Rocked the World.” Supaman often performs at schools to talk about cultural inclusion and humanity. In 2022 he performed at a school in Sussex and created an interactive performance to teach the students more about his Native American culture. As Native Americans continue their fight for the rights to their sacred lands and preserving their culture which has been subject to shame and reformation schools in the past, artists like Supaman that embrace and promote their culture is amazing. His combination of the traditional with his fancy dance, parts of traditional songs and instruments with modern style of rap show a future for embracing Native American culture for Natives when the past has created so much pain around it.
©2023 Izzy Sinclair Johnson