As nerd culture is growing more into mainstream culture we hear an increase of nerdy references in popular music. Kendrick, Kanye, Childish Gambino and others have made references to sci-fi franchises. This trend isn’t that new as nerdy fandoms have been used or mentioned in lyrics for decades. Here are 5 of my favorite examples.
1: Godzilla vs Mothra theme + Simon Says by Pharoahe Monch. This 1999 single features Akira Ifukube's Gojira Tai Mosura. The intro and hook helped the single hit #3 on the US Billboard rap chart. If it wasn’t for the subsequent lawsuit Monch’s album could have sold tremendously.
2: Scenario remix by ATCQ & LONS + Battlestar Galactica. In 1992 the remix to the hit single Scenario featured Charlie Brown of the Leaders of the New School who rhymed rock to 70’s sci-fi with the bar: “Remix mad kick, more than Metallica To all MC's fall like the Battlestar Galactica.” I think we can give a “So say we all” to CB for finding something that rhymes with Galactica.
3: Doctor Who + The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World by Keith Murray. The 1993 single reached number 3 of Hot Rap Singles. Murray’s unique delivery gave hip hop heads a shout out to our favorite Galifreyan. “Come to hit you with this Edition, it's all brand New, You're through, I'm interplanetarian like Doctor Who
4: Star Wars + How Ya Like Me Now by Kool Moe Dee. The year was 1987 and Kool Moe Dee decided to bless hip hop listening Star Wars nerds with the lyrics: “You took my style, I'm takin' it back Comin' back, like "Return of the Jedi" Sucker MC's in the place that said I. Kool Moe Dee a legend for that line.
5: Star Trek V: The Final Frontier + Pain by Tupac. This song from the Above the Rim soundtrack is a perfect fit for a movie more about pain than basketball. To help verbally illustrate, the intro samples 1989’s Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. “I couldn't help but notice your pain? My pain? It runs deep – share it with me! The beginning of the film uses the clip and song perfectly.