Pop appropriation of rap - the classics

[The Modernist]

Blondie and the Clash are terrific. The other two sound like someone had the idea to include something "topical" on the record.

The Wham one is easily the most subversive of the four though.

[The Modernist]

All absolutely dreadful. Privileged white people trying to prove how "street" they are by adopting something they're not very good at before anybody else. Even (maybe even 'especially') the Clash.

Oh don't start with all that privileged nonsense..

[Ranking Ted]

Blondie and the Clash are terrific. The other two sound like someone had the idea to include something "topical" on the record.

The Wham one is easily the most subversive of the four though.

It’s an interesting sideline that Wham! were by far the most mainstream band to be attached to Red Wedge/ Miners benefit gigs and peppered their sunny and apparently consumerist songs with, if not outright dissent, enough vim to make you know they’re aware there’s other stuff going on beyond drinks are free and make it big (cf. Wham Rap, Credit Card Baby, Everything She Wants). Pop was a release and fun with Wham! and while I don’t dig a lot of their faux soul smashes, that fun was sorely missing from a lot of George Michael’s solo stuff, never mind the grit and wit of “soul on the dole”. So: fun and social conscience: on the side of the angels, then.

[toomanyhatz]

All absolutely dreadful. Privileged white people trying to prove how "street" they are by adopting something they're not very good at before anybody else. Even (maybe even 'especially') the Clash.

Oh don't start with all that privileged nonsense..

Why not? Is it not true? I think it's a pretty good description of what's on offer here.

Note I never said "white people shouldn't rap." Or even that their privilege disqualifies them. It's their lack of skill that disqualifies them. Whether that's due to their out-of-touchness or not, I can't say. But they are not "street" and look silly pretending to be. I calls 'em like I hears 'em.

[clive gash]

Furious

[clive gash]

All of these examples are from the Rap as party music era anyway, it hadn’t been codified into the Black CNN at this stage.

Thank fuck.

[zoomboogity]

Speaking of party music, here's an example of "white guys rapping" from 1981, by two guys who could be considered to have had "privileged" upbringings. Doesn't sound to me like they're doing anything other than trying to have a laugh:

[toomanyhatz]

Speaking of party music, here's an example of "white guys rapping" from 1981, by two guys who could be considered to have had "privileged" upbringings. Doesn't sound to me like they're doing anything other than trying to have a laugh:

Exactly.

Had it been on the list, I would've voted for it in a heartbeat.

[clive gash]

They had form of course

http://www.suppertime.co.uk/blint/intro.shtml

[pcqgod]

I think I like "Rapture" more today than I did back in the day.

[Snarfyguy]

Speaking of party music, here's an example of "white guys rapping" from 1981, by two guys who could be considered to have had "privileged" upbringings. Doesn't sound to me like they're doing anything other than trying to have a laugh:

Getting OT, but when our daughter was a toddler we hosted a kid get-together and some of the tots were chaperoned by their (inevitably Caribbean) nannies. Well for some reason, Rock Steady with Flo & Eddy just happened to be at the front of the stack of LPs in the living room that day and the nannies did not appear to approve.



Mrs. SG was frostily asked what it was and, being a quick thinker, she told them it was a comedy record, which seemed to placate them and isn't even really a lie.

[never/ever]

How about comedy's appropriation of rap?

[Phenomenal Cat]

bump