Bernard Thomas (August 22, 1948 – June 16, 2019), better known as Bishop Bullwinkle, was an American singer/comedian best known for appearing in the viral YouTube video "Hell to the Naw Naw".
Background Bishop Bullwinkle's real name was Bernard Thomas. The Bullwinkle part of his name came from a childhood nickname; while in school, a classmate of his wrote on the bulletin board, "Bernard Thomas is funny like Bullwinkle the moose".Plant City Observer, Friday, Oct 2, 2015 - News, P.C. man enjoys fame from viral music video by: Justin Kline - CHECK IT OUT He was based in Florida.Know Your Meme - Hell to the Naw Naw, About Thomas had mixed reactions to his style and song content, drawing both praise and condemnation.Chicago Reader, February 23, 2017 - Both revered and condemned for his brazen humor, Bishop Bullwinkle is a meme-ready bluesman David Whiteis He is from Plant City, Florida.
In 2022, Azie Faison claimed that Bishop Bullwinkle was the same Bernard Thomas that founded Eric B. & Rakim.
"Hell to da Naw Naw Naw"
In the music video, which is shot outdoors, Thomas is seen in a white suit, wearing sunglasses and a white hat. It was originally released January 1, 2014. The props used are a podium with a white monkey statue and fire extinguisher resting on it. By July 22, 2015, the video went viral and got over 200,000 views with over 4,000 likes.Pulse Nigeria, 07.08.2015 - Hell 2 Da Naw Naw, Pastor's music sermon goes viral on YouTube (VIDEO) Oge Okonkwo As of August 15, 2020, a video of the song attracted over 95 million views and 780,000 likes.YouTube - Bishop Bullwinkle Hell To Da Naw, Naw, Naw With Da Bicycle Another video has attracted over 12 million views and over 218,000 likes.YouTube - Official Bronshay: Bishop Bullwinkel - Hell to the naw naw The song was even played on NBC.YouTube - JD Entertainment: Bishop Bullwinkle's Song HELL TO THE NAW!Being Played on NBC
A video of an 86-year-old grandmother dancing to the song went viral in a very short time. Beverly Jenkins uploaded the video of her grandmother Claudia Haggerty dancing to the song. By September 4, 2015, it had attracted 3 million views since it was posted. It was shared over 100,000 times on Facebook.The Huffington Post, 04/09/2015 - POST 50, Dancing Texas Granny Becomes Unlikely Internet Sensation By Yagana Shah
Bullwinkle attracted mixed reactions for his video and song, which is about the hypocrisy of some preachers and parishioners.Chicago Reader, February 23, 2017 - Both revered and condemned for his brazen humor, Bishop Bullwinkle is a meme-ready bluesman David Whiteis
Appearances
Along with Clarence Carter, Sir Charles Jones, Theodis Ealey, and Denise LaSalle, he was scheduled to appear at the 13th Annual Chi-Town Blues Festival at Merrillville's Star Plaza Theatre on March 4, 2017.Chicago Tribune, February 24, 2017 - Clarence Carter, of 'Patches' fame; Chicago's Willie Clayton headline blues fest By Bob Kostanczuk On March 11, he was scheduled to appear at the 11th Annual Motor City Blues Festival, an event which included Sir Charles Jones, Willie Clayton, Bigg Robb, Shirley Brown, and TK Soul.Hour Detroit, 9 Mar. 2017 - 10 Things To Do As Daylight Savings Begins - By Anjelica Dudek The following June, he was booked to appear at the Southern Soul and Blues Lovers Festival in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.Birmingham Times, June 29, 2017 - People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu, Saturday Thomas was booked to appear at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on September 9, but it was rescheduled for November 10.The Florida Times-Union, Sep 21, 2017 - Entertainment, Ticket Tracker: Clutch, Squirrel Nut Zippers, POSTPONEDThe Florida Times-Union, Sep 28, 2017 - Entertainment, Ticket Tracker: Lynne-Moorer, Jackson Browne, Johnny Mathis announce shows, TICKETS AVAILABLE
Death Thomas died on June 16, 2019, in Tampa, Florida. His cause of death was a heart attack. He was 70 years old. The funeral ceremony was on June 29, 2019.Bay News 9, June 17, 2019 - Tampa Area Viral Musician Known for “Hell to the Naw Naw” Dies at 70 By Saundra Weathers
Discography
Compilation albums +TitleAlbum detailsThe Da Vinci Code Released: August 16, 2019 Label: Music Access Formats: Digital download, streaming
Singles
As lead artist +TitleYearAlbum"Some Preachers"2015The Da Vinci Code"Pouring Water On a Drowning Man"2019"No Woman, No Cry""Is It Real"
As featured artist +TitleYearAlbum"I Can't Be Faithful"2017Bear Season
References