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Writer's pictureRockinMrMagic

Sci-Fi + Hip Hop

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.







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