It’s been five years since the professors of class, etiquette and what it takes to belong to the gentlemen’s club first presented their formula for success with the ladies and living the hi-life: So How’s You’re Girl in 1999. Chest Rockwell (De la Soul and Stetsasonic) and Nathaniel Merriweather’s (Dan “The Automator” Nakamura, Gorillaz) brainchild, Handsome Boy Modeling School, is back in session with White People, teaming with the ‘who’s-who’ “A” list from the music bid-niz, from Pharrell Williams and Del the Funky Homosapien to the loveliness of Julie Cruise, the ambidextrous Mike Patton, and the slinkiness of Cat Power.
Father Guido Sarducci (if you’re too young to know, he had the infamous “Pope In The Pizza” skit on SNL…rent the 25th Anniversary DVD already) once again makes the introduction to the session. Comedic intermissions/testimonials on the skills gained through this gentlemen’s institute of class are also delivered by one of their star students, Leon Phelps. Mr. Ladies Man gives us some insight on his newfound ability to show up for a date when he’s asked a lady friend out, and how he has become a deeper, more sensitive man now that he knows not to fart in front of a lady, which fork to use for soup during a fine dining session, and how to properly wash his penis.
But it’s the eclectic way the duo blends silk a shirt with Diesel jeans that takes center stage on the catwalk and the use of that “A” list to make this a brilliant ride in the Bentley. An analytical viewpoint of society is taken on “The World’s Gone Mad” in a very reggae, downtempo fashion, with a lesson on Karma and love. Jack Johnson serenades the “Breakdown” with a serene summer breeze as Kid Koala scratches that itch. With suave and dee-boner finesse, “I’ve Been Thinking” (featuring Cat Power) is the perfect backdrop to an evening of merlot in front of the fire, stretched out on a bear rug.
Now pay attention, ‘cause it’s time for the history class “Rock and Roll (Could Never Hip Hop Like This) on the connection between rock and hip-hop, how each influenced the other and especially how hip-hop has influenced the world, and leading the class are the professors Grand Wizard & Jazzy Jay, Mike Shinoda, Qbert, Rahzel and others. This is a classic track that presents the transition from one side of the coin to the other and how the two intertwine as what could be considered a purely rock track with Mike Shinoda/Linkin Park on vocals, then transcends into a scratchphonic symphony.
I think the ONLY person that is a bit perturbed at the end of class was Father Guido Sarducci and his modeling gigs, his less-than-hip accommodations next to Sears (where he had to eat breakfast), and his shut out as a shoe model since he was already known as a sock model. Ahh…the darker side of the life as a Handsome Modeling Boy.
White People is decked out and geared up to be one of THE apocalyptic releases of the year – simply brilliant. You best get with the program. Sign up today!
