Music Video for Opijata Okanko Chipps Offers a Glimpse into ‘Rez Life'

In anticipation of the upcoming documentary ‘Above Boy’ produced by Believe Media, the 'Rez Life' music video introduces viewers to an Oglala Lakota Sioux family on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The song was written and performed by Opijata Okanko Chipps (Opi), the son of Godfrey Benjamin Chipps, a fourth-generation descendant of Horn Chipp – the Medicine Man for legendary Indian chief, Crazy Horse.

While filming at the Chipps' home in Wanblee, South Dakota, filmmakers Sebastian Funke, Jan Vogel, and Lucy Martens discovered Opi's interest in hip-hop music and songwriting.  

The music video is a glimpse into the contemporary conditions of reservation life – the socio-economic state of the inhospitable Badlands, consequences of forced destabilization of Indigenous culture and rural-ruggedness of life on the reservation.  

“People need to see what we actually go through,” comments Opi. “A lot more could be said, and there’s a lot of people in our community who don’t feel comfortable sharing, but we are starting to be forgotten and that’s not right. Everyone has a voice and we have a point of view that needs to be heard.” 

Launched on YouTube November 1st at the start of National Native American Heritage Month, the music video is a precursor to the’ Above Boy’ documentary premiering in 2022. Visit www.aboveboy.com for more information.