{"id":2228,"date":"2025-07-21T03:25:33","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T10:25:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/thesweatpantsessions\/?p=2228"},"modified":"2025-07-21T03:25:33","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T10:25:33","slug":"gospel-rap-from-the-rez-lil-mike-and-funny-bone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/thesweatpantsessions\/2025\/07\/gospel-rap-from-the-rez-lil-mike-and-funny-bone\/","title":{"rendered":"Gospel Rap from the Rez: Lil’ Mike and Funny Bone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

The Native American Music Awards (NAMMY<\/a>) released the list of the 2025 winners. The list illustrated some known artists and others who are up and coming.<\/p>\n

Native American Music Awards Honors 2025 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe 2025 Native American Music Awards (NAMMAs) took place yesterday, in Niagara Falls, NY, celebrating the best in Native music this year and showcasing a range of Indigenous artists across traditional and contemporary genres\u201d (<\/em>Native News Online<\/em><\/a>, July 16).<\/em><\/p>\n

One group that stood out is the brother duo Mike Bone<\/a> (aka, Lil\u2019 Mike and Funny Bone).<\/p>\n

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Photo | Lil Mike and Funny Bone | courtesy and used with permission of the artists<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Lil Mike and Funny Bone, BEST HIP HOP RECORDING,\u00a0Top Mike Bone Tracks, Lil Mike & Funny Bone (Pawnee and Mescogee Nation).<\/p>\n

The listing is misleading. The \u201cTop\u201d refers to a collection of videos. Though a good selection, the NAMMYs don\u2019t point to a single video. They are open-ended with the selection. This may not be very clear to those unfamiliar with their work.<\/p>\n

My interest was immediately drawn to these artists. They are open about their Christian faith and how this has been foundational to their overall work. Seeing how these Native artists explore Hip Hop with a faith-based discipline while retaining their Native identity opens an area of discourse worth invesitgating.<\/p>\n

Who We Are<\/h2>\n
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Photo | Lil Mike and Funny Bone | courtesy and used with permission of the artists<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The duo, Mike Bone, has made a splash from America\u2019s Got Talent to Reservation Dogs. Featured on the 2013 season of America\u2019s Got Talent, an article in the Oklahoma News Channel 4 (July 24, 2013<\/a>) stated,<\/p>\n

\u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent is a hit again this Summer and recently, two rappers from Oklahoma City, Lil Mike and Funny Bone, made quite an impression on viewers\u2026\u201cWe rocked it and the crowd, they loved it,\u201d Funny Bone said. \u201cI mean, we got a big response from them and the judges, they were shocked\u201d (Oklahoma News Channel 4, J<\/em>uly 24, 2013<\/em><\/a>).<\/em><\/p>\n

The duo were \u201cbooted off\u201d in round two of their debut. The brothers state,\u00a0\u201cThey thought we didn\u2019t take it seriously; I think they were expecting more dancing than rapping,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0(Oklahoma News Channel 4, July 24, 2013<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The unfortunate occurrence did not stop the brothers from continuing to pursue their dream.<\/p>\n

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Photo | Lil Mike and Funny Bone | courtesy and used with permission of the artists<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Overcoming Limits<\/h2>\n

The bio on their website<\/a> tells of a journey from homelessness, gang violence, and discrimination.<\/p>\n

\u201cLil Mike & Funny Bone also known as Mike Bone, Yes, the two Native American rappers from America\u2019s Got Talent. These OKC brothers, though they may look-a-like they are not twins. Also, what they lack in height they make-up for in talent.<\/em><\/p>\n

Lil Mike \u201clittle Micheal Jackson\u201d AKA BigFaith
\nFUNNY BONE \u201cF.ULLY U.NITIED N.EW N.URISHED Y.OUNG B.ROTHA O.F N.OBLE E.SSENCE\u201d AKA Bone
\nBorn & raised in Oklahoma City, & Both started rapping at age 12\u201d (<\/em>Mike Bone Media<\/em><\/a>, n.d.).<\/em><\/p>\n

In addition to performing on live television in the U.S. and Canada, performing in penitentiaries, parties, churches, clubs, and flea markets, the duo, Mike Bone, has opened with the likes of Jacob Latimore, Wine-O, Nu Wine, Lil Troy, BillyRayCyrus, Lloyd, Bobby Valentino (Mike Bone Media<\/a>, n.d.).<\/p>\n

Being only 5 years apart, the brothers confirm that music is their only business.\u00a0\u201cThe brothers are writing and recording as many songs as they can and performing all over the World with success in their grasp! Two natives who put a positive spin on the rap game\u201d (<\/em>Mike Bone Media<\/em><\/a>, n.d.).<\/em><\/p>\n

The duo articulates their faith as being central to their journey and the progression of their work.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir extreme faith in GOD is definitely an eye catcher, with a motto they say, \u2018Love GOD & Party.'\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMike says, \u201cChristian Music helped with his life change. The Gospel Gangstaz, King Shon, T-Bone and DC Talk was in my tape player all the time.\u201d Mike realized he had a message to share, that could help other kids avoid gangs. He could show them that no matter how many obstacles you face, God can help you through them & that being a Christian aint so lame.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

In a radio interview on Bullseye With Jesse Thorn<\/a> (WAMU, NPR, October 21, 2022), Mike tips his hand to Gospel Gangstaz, the group that changed his life and perspective on Christian Hip Hop. Mike notes the track \u201cMobbin<\/a>\u2018\u201d (1994, Myx Records) as the single track that marked his turning point.<\/p>\n