Jimmy Lynch - "Tramp Time Volume 1: That Funky Tramp in a Nite Club" (1961)

Jimmy Lynch a.k.a. "Mr. Motion" is a multi-talented entertainer and good friend of Rudy Ray Moore's who sang, danced and joked his way through just about every movie Rudy Ray ever released. Like Rudy Ray Moore and Blowfly, Jimmy Lynch is known for his raunchy humor, and then-controversial use of explicit language. According to his official bio, he made his comedy debut as "the Funky Tramp" one Halloween when he was still underage, using the hobo costume he was wearing as a cover for his age. This persona would go on to become the heart of his stage show for most of his career.

According to an interview with Lynch paraphrased on Rudy Ray Moore's website, "Tramp Time Volume 1" was Jimmy Lynch's first recording, and was released in 1961 (there is no known record of the actual date). It is also apparently the first record to feature the word "fuck" without background music, though this historic claim apparently remains unverified. Just for fun, I've paraphrased the humorously cautious album liner notes below:

"This party record was not designed to be played on radio at any time - this record only for personal and party use only.

...We admit that some of the words of this recording are not Sunday School words so if you are a preacher or a deacon do not listen to this album. If you are under 18 you will not understand it. If you are over 80 you cannot stand it.

This LP contains some of the common words used by the common people every day and we do not intend for them to be obscene in any way.

We advise you to hang on to this record, it could become a collectors item.

...This LP was recorded live at the famous El Grotto bar in Battle Creek, Michigan at one of its fabulous Sunday afternoon matinees. Without any notion he is Mr. Motion.

I can only say we didn't actually release this album, it escaped.

-Mr. Vic"

Oh, how times have changed.

ENJOY

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).