Attention “New York”: Novelty Hip-Hop By White Guys Did Not Start With The Internet
Yesterday, New York‘s Vulture put up a post briefly outlining the history of white rappers, thanks to recent activity Asher Roth and Eminem making the whole enterprise two-thirds of the way to trend-piece worthiness. Friends of Idolator Christopher R. Weingarten and Sasha Frere-Jones spent much of yesterday afternoon picking over the list, noting omissions like Malcolm McLaren’s “Buffalo Gals” and Wham!’s “Wham! Rap”–but no point was more salient to this raised-on-morning-zoo observer than Weingarten’s 140-character rant about how Andy Milonakis was for some reason singled out, while “Rappin’ Rodney” and Joe Piscopo got ignored. After the jump, Chris helps me give crucial ’80s novelty raps their due. Chevy Chase, “Rappers’ Plight” (1980) 1980! Right on the heels of “Rappers’ Delight”! This was actually found while doing further research for the piece, but you can see why we had to add it. Mel Brooks, “It’s Good To Be The King” (1982)
This track got genuine street play, not to mention an answer record from Sylvia Robinson that was released on Sugar Hill. Rich Little, “President’s Rap” (1982)
Tracks from Little’s The First Family Rides Again, set to the “Genius Of Love” beat. In an alternate universe, a cover of this would include Mariah Carey as (Hey, she might not get the jokes, but she’d love the beat.) Rodney Dangerfield, “Rappin Rodney” (1983) The guy in the Cubs uniform is a nice touch. Shawn Brown, “Rappin Duke” (1984)Brown is actually not white. But the Duke? The whitest guy ever. Joe Piscopo (with Eddie Murphy), “Honeymooners Rap” (1985)
This song features scrathing by DST (the guy who did Rockit) and gamecalls by John Zorn. Darrell Hammond & Christopher Snell, “Elmer Fudd And Bugs Bunny Wappin'” (1989) Yes, that Darrell Hammond. White People In Rap: A History [Vulture] Darker Shade Of White [Sasha Frere-Jones @ The New Yorker]