Nerdcore Gangsta Hip Hop: geeks get rhymin'
What happens when you cross Gangsta styled hip-hop with pasty nerd angst and aggression? Nerdcore hip-hop, that’s what. Never has a predominately black music genre been more white and middle class and living in its parent’s basement. Uzis are out, phat internet pipes are in.
Gangsta hip-hop is nothing new; it’s been around since the 80s and is still a staple genre of hip-hop today. No matter how many Gangsta artists say they are keeping it real and telling what life is like on the streets, one of their - if not their largest - primary markets is bored white suburban youth. In the 21st century, the cycle has come full circle. Now the internet nerds are dropping their own beats and rhymes, and while you still get the swearing and charming misogynistic attitudes towards women, you also get your fill of internet AOL speak, gaming lore and obscure cultural references that every geek will know - while the rest of the population simply scratches its head quizzically.
While Nerdcore definitely has its tongue in its cheek, its language is a scary facsimile of internet speak. Play a game of World of Warcraft or Counterstrike, and you’ll realize that yes, people actually do online chat like this, and while Nerdcore musicians are “taking the piss”, most of the folk on the grand ol’ internet actually take themselves seriously. Which is why, no matter how crude, the lyrics of Nerdcore rap are an eerie parody of online (especially youth) behavior. Maybe you don’t like it, but that’s how it is.
Whereas many previous Nerdcore hip-hop tracks, such as the early works of MC Hawking, have passable to poor production values, the genre is steadily improving. Take “Futuristic Sex Robotz” new debut album “Hotel Coral Essex” (yes, there is a not-very-hidden-at-all message in the album title), currently available for free online. Unlike many previous works in the genre, the production is actually pretty damn good, and to the average listener, would easily be mistaken for a professional hip hop production. Any self respecting geek will note the dozens of samples and references to various online cultural icons and phenomena. From Star Trek to BitTorrent, Counterstrike to LiveJournal, each song is a tribute to online culture, or rather, lack of it. With the increasing dominance of online media/”lifestyle”, could Futuristic Sex Robotz be the future soundtrack to our digital lives? Not a snowball’s chance in hell – only those in touch with their true inner nerd will “get it”. That said, it’s better than most of the music that the big record companies push these days, and it’s another sign of online independent music making itself known. While definitely an acquired taste, and not for the masses, it’s an example of how modern technology is allowing niche music to be produced and delivered completely independent of the “old media” channels.
Warning: these songs contain explicit language and may be deemed offensive to some. So if you’re a delicate flower, click elsewhere.
MP3 Music:
“Welcome to the Internet” – Futuristic Sex Robotz (mp3 format, 4.2mb).
Video clip:
“Don’t Make Us Kick Your Arse” – Futuristic Sex Robotz (Windows Media format, 18.5mb).
Official website:
Futuristic Sex Robotz
High-C of Meter Versus Yard
The geekiest thug, or the thuggiest geek?
High-C
http://www.soundclick.com/theoriginalhighc
Meter Versus Yard
http://www.soundclick.com/meterversusyard
High-C, April 2, 2006 11:51
i have the cd and its fu#$%^* hellarious! "martian dick they call green mile"
Magician, March 10, 2006 11:00
FSR are absolutely amazing! The y are the lyrical master of the genre without a doubt! My only complaint is the cost of the shirts...$18 and then $7 shipping? C'mon, that's just crazy! I'm probably going to get one anyways, FSR are that good.
Chris, March 6, 2006 10:09
The whole album sounds very good. And "F*ck the MPAA" is good enough for me to be on the top of the hip-hop charts. MPAA and RIAA fight us, their customers? Here comes the answer! >:-E
amak, March 2, 2006 9:44
FuturisticSexRobotz, you are gods one weakness.
Mike , March 1, 2006 10:40
That completely defeats the purpose of what the Futuristic Sex Robotz are tryign to do, Master-x! They diss on the RIAA, MPAA, and the DMCA, just as those three have dissed on them. You've got free content. Good content (excepting the misgynomistic sentiments). Take it.
Panda, March 1, 2006 8:33
make a cd.i'll buy it =]
Master-X-, February 28, 2006 4:32
HAHA hilarious!
Mucho, February 28, 2006 3:02
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