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Music Monday: British-ish

by Scott Lydon


Happy Music Monday! There was a time when rap was new. And, in that time, for some reason, there were a whole bunch of artists who started using a British accent. So today, in their honor, we're doin' a Music Monday about rapping with a British accent. WARNING: They won't all be Americans.

Dana Dane - Cinderfella Dana Dane

 

Dana Dane is technically the first rapper to use an "English" accent while rapping. His influence spread wildly, and everyone in my school was staggered that a black guy could also talk British. Yes, that WAS incredibly racist of us, thanks for noticing! At least we kinda grew out of that when we got a little older. This particular song is so beloved that Snoop Dogg recorded his own version as a tribute! Not so bad, Dana.

But that's not all! There's more to come after the jump. Mate.

Slick Rick - Children's Story

 

Remember that technically up there? Well, Dana Dane beat his buddy to an album, but Slick Rick was the guy that Dana Dane was ripping off with his accent! Rick's accent was original, of course, and he thankfully never seemed to mind his buddy's rudeness. As far as I know they're still friends today. Rick sadly spent some time in jail and lost all his rap momentum, but his legend still remains.

Ready For The World - Oh Shiela

 

It's catchy and it's on the radio a bunch, but this song is just pretty much a non-stop style steal. The fake British accent is a lovely hook, but then it goes completely Purple Rain about it all. Ready For The World had some minor hits, and they fill a nice space in the late '80s pop soul jukebox. But it's that fake-Brit in the start is quite memorable, gov'na.

Nicki Minaj - Super Bass NSFW

 

This one's a little more complex, because Nicki's actually just homaging Slick Rick as she takes on his pronounced accent for a second or two. But it's still there, and it's still gonna count for me because I actually do like this song kinda. There's one f-bomb, fyi, so don't click if you're timid.

The Streets -

 

I have to say that I absolutely adore "The Streets" as a comedy act. I know some people take them seriously but I just can't. I'm sure Mike Skinner is tough enough and he's not bad at his job, it just reminds me of a rap song you'd hear in something like Empire, where people would be saying "Yo, you gotta watch that white boy, he's HOT!" to increase a dramatic subplot. This particular song is almost a parody of hip hop itself, and I'm not going to be surprised if one day it's revealed that this was a very complex Ali G-style joke. That having been said, it's apparently STILL a fake accent! Those who know tell me that Skinner's from Birmingham but raps like a Londoner. So he's in on two counts. Thanks for that, Mr. The Streets. It really helped me out.

Let us just remind you: some images come from the corresponding Wikipedia page and are here under fair use. See you next week.