Along with politicians, rappers seem irresistibly drawn to Houdini's name and imagery. The latest is this "collab" by rappers Lil Purpp and Madeintyo.Produced by Gnealz & Bighead, “Houdini” is a heavy drug-referenced record that finds the two rapping about their love for the lean, “the lean make me feel like Houdini,” the chorus repeats.
I had to look up with "Lean" was here. Sounds idiotic. But the song is decent. You can listen to it at hnhh.
Related:
As you’ve noted before, having the Houdini name and image in modern pop culture is generally a good thing. Whether it be fact, fiction or fantasy, whatever gets people interested in Houdini is usually a positive endeavor. However, in this case, I find this usage a bit disturbing. This is one of those cases where I wish that somebody actually owned the ‘Houdini’ copyright, so they could shut these idiots down. ‘The World’s Handcuff King & Lean Drinker’? WTF?
ReplyDeleteHoudini has been portrayed as a secret agent, a ghost hunter, a time traveler, you name it. And I think that HH would happily approve of all of these ‘fictional’ incarnations. But to have his name and poster imagery so closely associated with heroin, well, that’s a bridge he wouldn’t jump off.
My last sentence was badly written. I meant: ‘But to have his name and poster imagery so closely associated with heroin, well, that’s going too far.’
DeleteI'm fine as long as the reference is to the real Houdini. What I object to is when musicians, or companies that make kitchenware, just call themselves "Houdini" with no acknowledgment to our boy. They are just lifting the name and banking that it sticks to them. My greatest fear is one of the many rappers who call themselves "Houdini" (or Whodini) will become a Beyonce-level superstar. A whole generation will grow up with the wrong association. Kinda like...David Copperfield. That's what I think needs guarding against.
DeleteOne of my pet peeves is looking up Houdini stuff and getting results for kitchenware (not gonna say I wouldn't buy it for the name, tho) and rappers.
DeleteI don't like the kitchenware. That is not done in tribute to Houdini in anyway. They are just using his name for the instant familiarity.
DeleteYes, you’re right. I hadn’t thought of that.
ReplyDeleteIt's all the Lean you been drinkin'!
DeleteRap is nothing more than vocal graffiti.
ReplyDeleteI do have a Houdini bottle opener...
Hip Hop is capable of expression and subtleties completely unique to the genre. at its best, Hip Hop/Rap is a distinctly American art form that can convey a sense of immediacy that can be totally thrilling. i COULD list off a whole galaxy of artists or songs to change your mind... but what's the point? you've made up your mind—but listen to "The Cool" by Lupe Fiasco and THEN tell me that it's "vocal graffiti". (by "graffiti", do you mean vandalism? a mess? what??)
Delete