Das Racists

     Many may write these guys off as a bunch of "dirty art-house hipsters" dispensing repetitive novelty songs about Pizza Hut/Taco Bell combination restaurants.  On first glance the observation is spot on, given the irony laced subject matter and the hip hoppers Fresh Prince print, thrift store obtained, early 90's retro fitted clothing.  First glances can be deceiving.

The music itself is actually interesting and reminds me of such 90's alternative hip hop acts as De La Soul and the Native Tongues collective.  This may not be the D.A.I.S.Y. AGE (or it's digital sampling equivalent), but the comparison to De La Soul's '89 album 3 Feet High and Rising is a pretty apt comparison.

     One particular standout from their mixtape "Shut Up Dude" is You Oughta Know.  The lyrics and tune (from Billy Joel's "You Oughta Know") are playful and don't rely on real or perceived (see made up) street dreams, gun play, drug dealing, etc -- Rick Ross take note.  Instead each rapper comes equipped with a trove of pop culture influenced rhymes, many delivered in non-sequitor form wrapped in self deprecating humor.  Taken as a whole the mixtape is a good listen throughout, if lacking at times in consistency.  To this end, some tunes drag on a bit and suffer from poor production quality.  Also, the group could often stand another round of editing (both beat and lyrics), but the raw steam of pop consciousness approach is a clever diversion from other mainstream rappers. If you like this song, or mixtape, you may be interested in their other album, "Sit Down Man."