Even with the Sabzi production, it's not my favorite song (though it's growing on me) by the Brooklyn-based trio, but it's definitely growing on me. The music video may very be the best I've seen...ever (if you want to play the actual video game, click here). Composed of Kool A.D., Heems, and hypeman Dap (brother of comedian Hari Kondabolu, who's Comedy Central Presents special debuts tonight), Das Racist has been making moves over the past year. Joke Rap has historically not been given much credence in larger hip hop circles (I write this with all due respect to Paul's Boutique and the Beastie Boys). Today's scene isn't much more accepting. As much as I love P Smoov's production, I feel that the more traditional hip hop duo of Fresh Espresso that he forms with Rik Rude will always have more mass appeal and critical success than with Mad Rad.
Though Das Racist certainly has it's base in joke rap, Shut Up, Dude and particularilly the trio's latest effort, Sit Down, Man have begun to trancend to highly artistic, alternative hip hop. I cringe at writing "alternative," to describe music as it is quite ambiguous, but there really isn't another group that sounds anything like Das Racist at the moment. The group combines seemingly free-associative raps with intricate rhyme schemes, smooth flow, and some of the best production available from the underground (Sabzi of Blue Scholars/Common Market) and mainstream alike (Boi-1da of "Not Afraid," "Forever," "Best I Ever Had"-fame), and the legendary Quincy Jones. A particular standout track, the Boi-1da-produced "hahahaha jk?," is a mesmerizing song that puts the listener in a trance, while announcing that Das Racist has officially arrived in critically-lauded alterna-rap.
2010 was a huge year for Das Racist and this writer is excited to see where they go in 2011. Hit the jump for the artwork/tracklist/link for Sit Down, Man.
Peace, Love, & Joke Rap,
Voodoo Child
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