White Man Can't... Rap

I've been watching a lot of Chappelle's Show lately. It would be very easy to dismiss the show offhand as vulgar comedy which sometimes it may seem like but underneath lies some very nuanced and irreverent cultural comedy which lambastes society in that most noble of ways: satire.

I like it particularly because he doesn't hold back in making fun of everyone, including black America... and especially those purveyors of the most fine examples of black culture.

Every so often he also has some real guest stars on to perform. I had been under the impression that the Doggs of this world were considered the pinnacle of the rap scene. Of course I am pinning that assumption on my knowledge based on MTV but I have enjoyed Chappelle's show for both its biting satire as well as introducing me to some very good music. My own personal favourite so far being Mos Def.

Anyway, while I was watching it last night and it struck me that it was great to be shown an intelligent side of black America. From the above guest performers, whose music actually has something to say about the community from where it comes as opposed to how many diamonds are encrusted on ones favourite butt-plug, to Chappelle's own humour which challenges pretty much all the stereotypes you can think of.

So I kept going with the thought, and I realised how sad it was that I would even have to think that. But it's the truth. Pretty much all depiction of black culture that makes it over the Atlantic is of the "gangsta" variety. Now, before people start shouting of course I don't mean EVERYTHING but I think it's fair to say the prevailing exported image is of the moron Snoop Dogg type.

All this "deep" thought brought me back to a very bad memory. You know the type, where just the memory of it is enough to have you glowing like a beetroot.

It was when we were travelling on our big trip from Alaska to Panama. We were out with a few other hostellers in a bar having a great time when we got talking to a group of Canadians who were playing some stupid game involving rapping. Egged on by my drunkenness and one of the guys with me I actually tried to rap. I actually tried, I'm in pain even typing it.

To put this into perspective you must realise that I am the anti-thesis of black. I'm Irish you see, so my skin resembles a hue not unlike the sun at 12 shining directly in your eyes. And reinforcing that age old stereotype, I just can't dance for the life of me. If there were a Black Dictionary if you looked up "white" there would be a picture of me arms flailing around as if I was being attacked by a giant octopus. So for me to try and rap, well you can't imagine the horror.

But alas, it seems as if Dave has given up the show according to his collaborator Charlie Murphy (Eddie's big brother.) After he abruptly left for Africa in the middle of making season 3, rumours of mental-health issues arose but were dispelled when he allowed an interview with Time. Recent reports of his return led to hope that season 3 would see the light of day, but Charlie seems to have put another nail in the coffin of the show, here's hoping that there is still a little light left!

In the end though, all things considered, at least I learned the meaning of skeet!!