Transcript
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Gentle, trilling music with a steady drumbeat plays under the dialogue.
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Speaker: Bullseye with Jesse Thorn is a production of MaximumFun.org and is distributed by NPR. [Music fades out.]
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“Huddle Formation” from the album Thunder, Lightning, Strike by The Go! Team. A fast, upbeat, peppy song. Music plays as Jesse speaks, then fades out.
jesse thorn
It’s Bullseye. I’m Jesse Thorn. It’s time now for The Song That Changed My Life. It’s a segment we do where we get musicians to talk about the music that made them who they are. This week, two guests: Lil’ Mike and Funny Bone. They’re a rap duo from Oklahoma City. Mike and Bone are brothers. They got their big break in 2013 when they made an appearance on America’s Got Talent.
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[The crowd roars.] Music: “You Want It, You Got It” by Detroit Emeralds. Funny Bone (America’s Got Talent): What’s up, San Antonio?! Lil’ Mike: We’re here! Howard Stern: Hey. Funny Bone: Are you readyyy? Howard: I’m ready. I’m ready for you guys. What is the name of your group? Mike: I’m Lil’ Mike. Bone: I’m Funny Bone. Mike & Bone: [In unison.] And together, we are Mike Bone! Nick Cannon: Mike Boooone!
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jesse
Mike and Bone are truly one of a kind. Or two of two kinds. They’re both members of the Pawnee tribe. They each stand a little over four feet tall. They perform Christian rap. And honestly? The records are good.
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“Fist in the Air” by Mike Bone. And when you’re in your home You’re gonna feel alone And find out why a Native rapper wrote the song For the missing, the murdered Indigenous [Inaudible] and y’all still ain’t hearing us Murder’s off the hook, why ain’t nobody look? Treat it like your family member was took This is for the ones with their fists in the air The missing and the murdered from here to there Seeking out justice and it don’t seem fair Pushed to the side, man, and y’all don’t care This is for the ones with their fists in the air Fighting for the land that was already theirs Seeking out justice and it don’t seem fair Pushed to the side, man, and y’all don’t care. M-M-I… [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue then fades out.]
jesse
Mike and Bone are also actors. They’re on one of my favorite shows, Reservation Dogs. It’s about four teens in Oklahoma who’ve spent their lives growing up on a reservation. They spend their days hanging out at home and getting into a little trouble and dreaming about leaving for greener pastures. Mike and Bone play Mose and Mekko, two brothers who ride around town on their BMX bikes and always seem to know what’s going on. The characters are also a rap duo, by the way.
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Bear (Reservation Dogs): Y’all got more spirits? Mekko: No, man! It’s Mose and Mekko! We got the same uncle. Bear: I’m gonna go get those [censored] back. Speaker: What kind of gang is both red and blue? Mose: Indian mafia. Couldn’t make up their minds if they wanna be Bloods or Crips more. Mekko: Maybe they’re Blips. Mose: Or maybe they’re Cruds! Mose & Mekko: [In unison.] Eeeeey!
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jesse
Reservation Dogs just wrapped up its second season on FX. We figured it would be a good time to have Mike and Bone on our show to talk about the song that changed their lives. Their choice is “Mobbin’” by the beloved Christian hip-hop group Gospel Gangstaz. We’ll let Mike and Bone take it from here.
funny bone
Heeeey! It’s your boys!
lil’ mike
Lil’ Mike!
bone
And Funny Booooone! And the song that changed our life is “Mobbin”.
mike
By the Gospel Gangstaz.
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“Mobbin’ (Gang Affiliated)” from the album Gang Affiliated by Gospel Gangstaz. Let me start with my intro A young brother from south central Snatched outta gangs, let me break you off my info A young criminal, got in contact with the spiritual A couple of years ago, but you don't hear me though [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue.]
mike
The first time that I heard “Mobbin’” was at a show that was an outreach with this—like this strongman group, called The Power Team. And they would like break bricks and bend steel and rip phone books apart. And at the very end, they had this hip-hop group come up, and they was rapping.
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[Volume increases.] It's no colors on a brother 'cause my rag's gone But I'm still loc, so I gotta get my sag on (so) Don't trip, when you see me in a pulpit It's like I'm strapped with a mac and a full clip I pull quick, when God anoints [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue.]
mike
And they was like, “Yo, if you feel like, you know—if you want change or you want something different in life than what these streets are doing for you? Like, you know, come up here and just—you know, let’s talk about it. Let’s get it out.” And it just made a difference in my life, just ‘cause I’ve never seen a positive gangster role model.
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[Volume increases.] Pack a .9 for those thinking of making me a martyr Me wrestle against the flesh, I'm not saying that But running up on me, Devil I ain't playing that (Huh) You heard about my crew and tried to clown But forget the tapes, I'm in your face [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue.]
mike
And I seen them—you know—rapping and then they started talking about their life stories and how they, you know, broke off from all that, I was like, “Yeah! If it’s possible for them, I could do it.”
bone
Yeah, and bang for something worthwhile.
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[Volume increases.] Mobbin with the gangstas Mobbin with the gangstas So, what now, do you need Chilly Chill to show you how With my buck, Bing, Rat a tat, Pow style I got a bone to pick, and it's on like this 'Cause when I spit, It's like a brick [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue.]
mike
The Gospel Gangstaz is a go-to for me, because they’re so different! They’re so hood that it just surprises people. Like, “I’ve never heard a faith-based person talk like that.” [Bone agrees.]
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[Volume increases.] So, the Word's my strap I pray day and night when I'm in the cut But I'm sick of brothers fronting, trying to hit me up No fear here loc, so come real wit' me 'Cause even if I was a trip, ya couldn't deal with me (So, come chill wit' me) [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue.]
bone
This is Funny Bone, man. The first time I heard “Mobbin’” was when my brother, Lil’ Mike, came home, brought the track—he brought the CD. And he started jamming it. And he’s my older brother, so I look up to him. And you know, the life changes he was making. You know, I really admired that.
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[Volume increases.] Mobbin wit' the gangstas Mobbin wit' the gangstas [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue.]
bone
Maaan, I love this beat! Oh, this thing is a banger! It’s just… it just makes you wanna get up and bounce!
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[Volume increases.] Devil go to hell Day and night I'm in this gangsta life I got courted on wit' Christ now it's on, on sight Tik Tokk is my name and my claim to fame Living holy is a change but I'm still the same I'm a young G, following the O.G The Father, Spirit, Son [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue.]
mike
To me, the beat kind of reminds me of like swamp pop with a little bit of breakdance drumlines or whatever. Kind of like James Brown or something like that, but like—I don’t know, it just captures me.
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[Volume increases.] 'Cause I walk by faith with a gangsta limp So don't attack man, 'cause I pack man, then I chomp 'em, and stomp 'em Gotta come loc, 'cause I'm from (Compton) Ready to smack up, beat the track up And for those who wanna act up You God bless us, better back up while the gangsta bring the gospel to the funk groove I can't turn my back on Christ, That's a punk move [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue.]
mike
“Can’t turn my back on Christ. That’s a punk move.” It’s like I’ve never heard somebody talk about faith in a gang mentality before. And it just kind of clicked in my head, like, “Yo, that’s crazy!”
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[Volume increases.] But the girls on my back and on my jock is on my prayer list So don't thrust with the lust on ya butt You'll catch a shank to the gut, I'm out the cut My crew is straight mobbing Mobbing with the gangstas Mobbing with the gangstas [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue.]
mike
So, that right there is Mr. Solo, and he recently—
bone
Solo’s in the hooouse!
mike
He recently passed away, and—
bone
Moved on to the spirit world, dang.
mike
Yeah, he—it was a very tough time in the faith based hip-hop community. Everybody was taking it pretty hard.
music
[Volume increases.] Mobbing with the gangstas M-m-m-m-mobbing, hanging with the gangstas [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue then ends.]
mike
The Gospel Gangstaz kicked off my search in faith-based music to the point where I was only hunting the hardcore stuff. And I was thankful that, you know, Creator gave me the options to switch music. Because a lot of the music I was listening to was keeping me in that mentality. [Bone agrees.] And so, I said up to Creator, I said, “Man, I wanna get rid of all this music, but I need help finding other music.” And then all these different artists started coming out, like T-Bone. Of course, the Gospel Gangstaz I already had on deck. There was also God’s Original Gangstaz. And then, like I started finding all these different groups, man. [Bone echoes him.] And it was just like crazy. And back in the day when I was getting it, I was getting the music at a Christian bookstore. And waaaay off in the back they would have a music selection. And I was like finding all of these different artists and I would spend like the whole day up there just grabbing CDs based off of the cover and just listening to music.
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“Rain Dance” from the album Crunk Nativez by Lil’ Mike and Funny Bone. Yeah! Where all my crunk natives at? It’s Little Mike and Funny Bone (Mike Bone, ha) Yeah, Oklahoma [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue.]
bone
People always asked us like, “What did you do? How did you guys get your big break? You know, did you guys sign to a label or—?” You know, ‘cause they think it just came instantly. We’ve been doing this over 25 years now. Recording and performing. And it was a process. So, that’s why I tell people it’s a process. You’ve gotta stay consistent. You gotta work hard. And you gotta build it up.
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[Volume increases.] Hop around all night and get crunk Let me talk about tribes and where I’m from Indian Nation, Oklahoma Cherokee Choctaw Creek Seminole [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue.]
mike
And we was different. Like, just like the Gospel Gangstaz was different. They was getting, you know, hated on because they was, you know, gang affiliated I guess you would say. And we got kicked out of so many churches, ‘cause we was—
bone
Baaad!
mike
[Chuckles.] We was just doing it different, man. We was praising worship different. People were like, “You can’t treat Jesus like a night club!” [Laughs.]
bone
Yeah, ‘cause we’d be dancing to the tracks. ‘Cause we wanna feel the spirit. And we just felt compelled to move when we was singing praise. And people were looking at us sideways, like, “Why are y’all dancing during worship?! Or clapping?”
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[Volume increases.] Do the Rain Dance, Shawty Do the Rain Dance I say how when I bounce I'm a native boy, Comin fresh out the box never faded boy, [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue then fades out.]
mike
When I introduce like faith-based music to somebody, I mean, my go-to is the Gospel Gangstaz, ‘cause they just have that approach to where it shocks their ear like they’ve never heard faith-based music like this before. And it’s just like ding! What else can I find?
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“Mobbin’ (Gang Affiliated)” from the album Gang Affiliated by Gospel Gangstaz. So, what now, do you need Chilly Chill to show you how With my buck, Bing, Rat a tat, Pow style I got a bone to pick, and it's on like this [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue.]
bone
This song changed my life by how bold these cats was, repping for God. And it helped me to see that you ain’t gotta bang for no color, no hood. And you can bang for something that—with a purpose and build your relationship with the Creator and live a life of love and not hate.
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[Volume increases.] Fulfilling God's will and like a Florida orange cap, steady peeling Wit' the word that you heard, my Bible's like a mausberg And by the damage that occurred, by the young G [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue.]
mike
It changed my life. Just the simple fact that I was into that kind of music until I heard them do it differently. And then the Gospel Gangstaz, you know, as soon as the lyrics started hitting my head I was like, “Whaaaat is thiiiis?! You’re telling me I don’t have to get in trouble anymore? And I can, you know, still listen to this kind of music and not feel motivated to go do a drive by?” [Chuckles.] And I feel like that music pushed me in the right direction. And it was just like I was pretty much done with being a hardhead.
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[Volume increases.] My claim to fame Living holy is a change but I'm still the same I'm a young G, following the O.G The Father, Spirit, Son [Volume decreases and continues under the dialogue.]
jesse
Lil’ Mike and Funny Bone on the song that changed their lives, “Mobbin’” by Gospel Gangstaz. You heard it here, today: the first time we ever played a Christian rap record on Bullseye. No disrespect to Minister Mase. Mase, come on Bullseye. Let’s do this. The second season of Reservation Dogs, on which Mike and Bone perform, is streaming now on Hulu. You can hear more of their own hip-hop on their website. We’ll link to it on the Bullseye page at MaximumFun.org.
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[Volume increases.] tell you lies for a record deal Now I tour the world without the girls, and they tails out Still clocking G's and we didn't have to sell out And just like 2Pac, you can't juice me for my Louie or my Gucci Never can catch me smoochie coochie I don't touch none of these hoochies I know it's kinda hard to bear this But the girls on my back and on my jock is on my prayer list [Song fades out.]
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Bright, upbeat synth.
jesse
That’s the end of another episode of Bullseye. Bullseye is created from the homes of me and the staff of Maximum Fun, in and around greater Los Angeles, California. As we were preparing this week’s episode, the Dodgers were playing the Padres in the playoffs and a goose interrupted the game. He wouldn’t leave. Our show is produced by speaking into microphones. Our senior producer is Kevin Ferguson. Kevin’s a Dodger’s fan. [Sighs.] Our producers are Jesus Ambrosio and Richard Robey. I don’t know if they like baseball. Our production fellow at Maximum Fun is Tabatha Myers. She’s probably a Philly’s fan. We get booking help from Mara Davis. She might be rooting for the Braves. Our interstitial music is by DJW, also known as Dan Wally. He’s definitely a Red Sox fan, if he likes sports. Special thanks this week to Kayla Puntley and Crystal Smith of Castle Row Studios, in Oklahoma City, for recording Mike and Bone for us. Our theme song is “Huddle Formation” by The Go! Team. Thanks to The Go! Team and to their label, Memphis Industries. Bullseye is on YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. You can find us on each of those platforms. Follow us; we will share with you all of our interviews. We hope that you will take this opportunity to share an interview from this week’s program with someone that you love. And I think that’s about it. Just remember: all great radio hosts have a signature signoff.
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Speaker: Bullseye with Jesse Thorn is a production of MaximumFun.org and is distributed by NPR. [Music fades out.]
About the show
Bullseye is a celebration of the best of arts and culture in public radio form. Host Jesse Thorn sifts the wheat from the chaff to bring you in-depth interviews with the most revered and revolutionary minds in our culture.
Bullseye has been featured in Time, The New York Times, GQ and McSweeney’s, which called it “the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world.” Since April 2013, the show has been distributed by NPR.
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