Holly Williams reviews the Canadian science rapper's new show.
Following his Rap Guide to Evolution, white Canadian rapper and science geek Baba Brinkman sticks to his formula: using hip hop to convey complex theoretical themes, hollering about ovulation and natural selection over his DJ's scratching. Sound a little dubious? Well, it is. When it works, it's pretty glorious, but there are also a few moments of awkwardness or sheer intellectual overload.
Because Brinkman, to his credit, has ambition about what can be delivered in this way – and he also credits the audience with the same minds. He takes a wide-ranging look at scientific theories about why we are how we are, from the strategies women and men have towards getting laid (ladies' preference for everything from a man's scent to which top to wear is driven by what time of the month it is, apparently), to evolutionary explanations for homosexuality, to the link between political and social conservatism and your immune system. Yeah, all that in an hour. Through the medium of rap.
Even with his more prosaic explanations and Powerpoint slides, it can feel like just too much is squeezed in – you're still getting your head around an idea when suddenly Brinkman is turning it into gangsterfied humorous wordplay. And while he cites a couple of books – and plays a couple of answerphone messages from presumably esteemed scientists backing up his content (show-off!) - there's not exactly any footnotes or time for probing questions, and you have to take his arguments in good faith (ironically perhaps, given his scathing attitude towards creationism...)
Sometimes his spittings are both funny and informative, and he certainly has confidence in his content and delivery. But occasionally, the rapping can feel just a teensy bit embarrassing, and he has a tendency to slip from endearingly genuine and passionate about his subject into seeming smug. Fascinating stuff though – maybe with a longer slot or more measured pace, he could really get into his groove.
Baba Brinkman: The Rap Guide To Human Nature is at the Gilded Balloon until 30th August at 3:45pm daily.
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