Explain this Pepsi commercial to me

[Sebastian Francis]

I love the Pepsi commercial where the white guy in his SUV fantasizes about being a rapper, and of course in the fantasy he's a completely geeky wannabe whose attempt at breakdancing ends up with him smashing over a table at a wedding. In the end, he decides to stick with his Pepsi.

But one thing puzzles me. He says he'd like to "try old school." What exactly does "old school" mean in this context? Does it mean hip hop in general? Does it mean a certain early-90's-Vanilla Ice/MC Hammer style of hip hop? Does it mean white-man-trying-hip hop?

Explain.

 

[devilbat]

Old School, when used in the urban/hip-hop context, refers to the early day of rap music. Pre Hammer and Vanilla Ice. The time when rap lyrics referred to partying, break dancing and boasting of ones talents, whatever they may be. The Early artists of the time were Grandmaster Flash and the Furious five, The Sugarhill gang and Funkmaster Flex.

The next generation of rappers are sometimes referred to as Old School, as well. Acts like Run DMC, Ton Loc, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Big Daddy Kane, Hammer, Vanilla Ice etc.....

It was around that era where the music became angrier with the likes of NWA and Ice-T.

 

[Torm]

But one thing puzzles me. He says he'd like to "try old school." What exactly does "old school" mean in this context? Does it mean hip hop in general? Does it mean a certain early-90's-Vanilla Ice/MC Hammer style of hip hop? Does it mean white-man-trying-hip hop?

Explain.

Well, I can't say that I've seen the commercial, but if "old school" means Vanilla Ice to you, I want to know how old you are and whether you have your parents permission to talk to strangers on the Internet.

"Old school" generally refers to rap/hip-hop from the late 70s and very early 80s. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, SugarHill Gang, Kool Moe Dee, Slick Rick, DJ Rob Bass and EZ Rock. The music from Breakin' and Breakin' Two: Electric Boogaloo. That sort of thing. I think the Beastie Boys are about the very last of those that were considered Old School (and that, of course, depends on who you're talking to). By bringing the rap sound into the white suburbs, they helped, for better or worse, to bring about the evolution to modern commercial hip-hop.

 

[Torm]

Oops - was still writing and didn't see devilbat post...

 

[Torm]

It was around that era where the music became angrier with the likes of NWA and Ice-T.

I don't know if I'd say angrier so much as less intelligent and more vulgar. After all, Kool Moe Dee was talking about getting together a gang and beating up the thugs in his neighborhood in "Wild Wild West" - but he didn't get vulgar, and his sentiments actually seemed to be in favor of order and taking down the sort of little s that would dominate the rap scene later. :\

 

[devilbat]

I don't know if I'd say angrier so much as less intelligent and more vulgar. After all, Kool Moe Dee was talking about getting together a gang and beating up the thugs in his neighborhood in "Wild Wild West" - but he didn't get vulgar, and his sentiments actually seemed to be in favor of order and taking down the sort of little s that would dominate the rap scene later.

I hear you Torm, but there were artist at the time that were political, such as KRS-One, Boogie Down Productions, and Public Enemy, that didn't resort to violent verbal assaults and vulgarity. Kool Moe Dee's entire career seemed to be based around his beefs with other artists of the time (LL Cool J), and street fights. I would classify him right in the middle between acts like Young MC and Ice-T.

I'd like to see more Digital Underground in todays rap scene, and less talentless hacks like 50 cent.

 

[Torm]

I'd like to see more Digital Underground in todays rap scene, and less talentless hacks like 50 cent.

Word.

I use the words that don't mean nothin', like "loopid".

 

[Sebastian Francis]

Old School, when used in the urban/hip-hop context, refers to the early day of rap music. Pre Hammer and Vanilla Ice. The time when rap lyrics referred to partying, break dancing and boasting of ones talents, whatever they may be. The Early artists of the time were Grandmaster Flash and the Furious five, The Sugarhill gang and Funkmaster Flex.

The next generation of rappers are sometimes referred to as Old School, as well. Acts like Run DMC, Ton Loc, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Big Daddy Kane, Hammer, Vanilla Ice etc.....

It was around that era where the music became angrier with the likes of NWA and Ice-T.

This is why I love enworld. Thanks for the prompt, informative reply!

 

[nakia]

I'd like to see more Digital Underground in todays rap scene, and less talentless hacks like 50 cent.

The Humpty Dance, here's your chance, to do the hump . . .

 

[devilbat]

This is why I love enworld. Thanks for the prompt, informative reply!

You're welcome. Anytime I get the chance to discuss old school rap on a gaming message board, I jump all over it.