Rodney Dangerfield - Rappin' Rodney (1983)

First off, I want to say that I'm very sorry to have taken such a long break between posts. One month, officially. I have been having a lot of issues with my audio capturing software, and I also recently came into temporary possession of a friends thousand-piece record collection, which I have been mining for potential entries as well. So that's my apology paragraph, now on to Rappin' Rodney.

At first glance, this is a completely embarrassing novelty record, and is about as uncool as a rap record can be. Something which Mr. Dangerfield's handlers probably felt was a good idea, and would make him relevant with the youth of 1983. Something you would never listen to un-ironically. 

And then you give it a spin anyway.

I love this song. Something about it not only makes perfect sense within the greater Rap/Hip-Hop canon, but feels almost pioneering for its unconventional subject matter. When you think about it, comedy - or at least a sharp wit - has always been an integral element of Hip-Hop. With emcees being lauded for their clever punchlines and witty metaphors, it makes perfect sense that someone who makes a living off of a similar talent - albeit without a back beat - would be able to do right by Hip-Hop if they ever gave it an honest effort. 

Not only is this record full of classic Rodney witticisms, but Rodney's extremely self-deprecating humor makes this a really unique Hip-Hop song. You see, usually Rap lyrics tend to use wit and cleverness to build ones own reputation to new heights of prestige, or at least lower the reputation of anyone who dares challenge your coolness. Rodney has always been the exact opposite - taking self-deprecating humor to the point of self-directed insult comedy. Although at first glance, this may look like Rodney totally sold out and made a lame rap song, in fact Rodney stayed so true to himself that he may have made the first self-dis track in the process. If this were a rap battle, Rodney would have absolutely destroyed himself (he even spends the middle of the song dissing the backup band).