Back in the early '90s, after I graduated college, I was still in my idealistic "try anything once" phase. One of my favorite movies "Boyz In The 'Hood," came out, featuring the musical (and acting) stylings of the inimitable Ice Cube and his group, N.W.A. Smitten with the siren sound of rebellion, I bought myself cassette tapes of "Straight Outta Compton" and "Niggaz4life" (I don't recall if CDs were around back then, but I was too cheap to spring for the cost of a CD on this little experiment) and settled in for some good ol' gangsta rap. After a few plays, I was feeling every bit the poseur, like I was trying to like something that really wasn't for me. Shocking that a white kid from NH wouldn't find a compatible voice in N.W.A., isn't it? On the other hand, I'm sure the Compton kids weren't listening to too much Def Leppard and R.E.M. in 1991, which is what I went back to after my gangsta rap flirtation ended.
No such incompatibility lies with the Muppets of course, who are beloved all over the world. They're like apple pie. No one hates apple pie.
So, when I came across the video below yesterday, on the blog Free Williamsburg, it struck a chord. I always get this buzz when two seemingly opposite things are crammed together to make something interesting. The Muppets mashed up with N.W.A., are you kidding? No, it's not a joke. By combining the sweet, innocent, frivolity of the Muppets with the blind, hot fury of N.W.A., the video below truly captures the mystical duality of Man and the existential angst that prevails in today's world -- a world plagued by war, disease, and famine, yet, at the same time, a world blessed with the innocent smiles of children, beautiful sunsets, the embrace of lovers, and occasional altruism.
Watch, learn, and feel.
DISCLAIMER: The words and concepts used in the video are the sole property of N.W.A. and/or the Muppets. Presentation of this video on this blog shall not be construed as approval of use of such words and concepts by this blog's author.
In the event you haven't yet had enough Muppet Rap, Gonzo's the star of this one.
Word to your mother. Muppets... OUT.
2 comments:
You have made my morning. This is the funniest thing I've seen in a while. The Oscar the Grouch part: "Awww, shit" had me in hysterics.
Long live the Muppets!
I'm glad you liked it, ST. Oscar is the O.G. in my book. They really nailed the mouth movements in his little rap with Big Bird. I liked the parts where the Count, Ernie, and Bert (and Gonzo in the second video) are dancing. Muppets dancing to rap music is too friggin' funny.
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