No one can ever be too sure if and when the hip hop trio are taking things seriously. For an act that rose to fame with a song titled Combination Pizza Hut And Taco Bell, one would assume that being serious isn’t high on the band’s agenda. Further releases are also so laden with simple humour that many listeners have began to wonder: “If they’re not taking themselves seriously, why should I take this music seriously?” Yet they have generated a serious amount of hype, both from bloggers and mainstream media outlets. What’s more, some of their artistic output contains a proficiently academic bend which begs the question: Do Das Racist even give a shit how they’re perceived? Or better yet, have they even figured themselves out as a hip hop trio? After all, when we half-arse our way through questions from family members about our future, we’re not actually selling anything, besides our muted self-esteem. Though, like it or not, Das Racist are. And when they answer questions throughout the day from a Tilburg, Netherlands tour stop, not only is it hard to take the act seriously, their answers come off as nothing more than schtick. They dodge the obligation of answering questions, but because they’ve never seemed that serious to begin with, somehow this is tolerated.
It was put to Das Racist that, although their lyrics contain a satirical edge, many listen much more intently when they rap about serious topics such as race and the power of corporations in America.
“We’re deadly serious people,” offered Kondabolu. “We’ve killed before and will kill again.”
“I just want to hang out,” says Vazquez and Suri, rather blatantly said. “I enjoy fun more than depression!” While it’s certainly hard to argue with him, this interviewer was beginning to suspect the joke was on me.
Though fans of The Aristocrats might disagree, every joke eventually dies a natural death. So if Das Racist seem intent on keeping their approach light, it’s worth wondering not only how long they intend on staying relevant in a world flush with young, talented acts but also how they plan to stay relevant.
“Answering interview questions in the lobbies of hotels and trying to have our power spread to new media outlets,” says Kondabolu, in that incredibly personable Das Racist sarcasm. Suri agreed that Das Racist plan to “watch their power spread” while Vazquez’s key to relevance was “sit-ups, push-ups”.
Now, depending on how serious fans like their hip hop, none of this ambivalence may be of any bother. Hip hop however still remains a powerful social force, despite the dozens of self-aggrandising MCs which emerge everyday, more content on fame than actually exhibiting artistic qualities.
And Das Racist have indeed shown themselves to be intent on getting their music out to the masses. Within just three years of forming, the band has released two mix tapes and this past September released their debut full length, Relax, which ended up on many year-end “Best Of” lists. Where Das Racist fit in the bigger picture of hip hop in 2012 might be of no concern to some, but for a band which is starting to make serious waves within the genre, it’s a question that can’t be avoided. It is the painful equivalent of the question many 20-somethings get when faced by family members over the holidays. “So, what are you doing with your life?” they might ask.
We cannot dodge this question so easily. But Das Racist offered little more than a few “Yaoow! Yeah baby!” or “Wooo!” when asked about their place in hip hop in 2012. This is a trio that doesn’t just dodge social bullets; they’re adept at tickling the feet of the sniper.
So perhaps in the future, those who get painfully nervous before family obligations should hire Das Racist to answer their questions. The trio’s ability to shrug off any question of consequence may simply be a sign of the times. It is 2012 after all, so if the world truly is coming to an end, why get so serious?
There’s no question Das Racist are an amusing bunch of dudes. How long this amusement will last remains to be seen. Credit still must be given to Das Racist for finally ponying up an answer of some weight towards the end of the interview. And if we’re still thinking about the holidays, it’s an answer that will hopefully console readers during their time of need. I asked the band if they had any hangover cures they’d like to share, and finally, the band opened up. Understanding Das Racist and getting through to them is all about getting to their level, I suppose.
“Pho’s great,” says Vazquez. “Water and tea. Smoking weed. A mimosa. Coffee. Menudo. Sleeping. Sometimes fucking, sometimes not. Gatorade.” Kondabolu chimed in with his as well: “Drinking lots of water and green tea, pho is pretty good. Hangover cures are mostly bullshit. Someone told me pedialyte works quite well.”
