Chopper Reed – Interview With A Madman (Rott’n Records)

Well Chopper Reed has a rap record out and he even has a special message for critics on one of the tracks. So yep he’s the greatest rapper ever. So now that we’ve got this writer’s personal security out of the way the reality is that he isn’t actually rapping here. Rather Chopper plays up to his ‘real’ tough guy persona with a series of rhyming limericks where he seems to be simultaneously taking the piss out of gangsta rappers and even relieving himself of a little bit of urine. Over some groove based hip-hop breaks Chopper rants and recites his rhymes, curses and threats, covering familiar material filled with bravado and arrogance without ever really raising his voice or even feeling the need to attempt to rap. This record is closer to Kerouac on the Steven Allen show, or Burroughs teaming up with the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, an author reciting his work over current day grooves, than any hip hop effort. Though strangely enough he’s assisted by a bunch of rappers who totally misunderstand what’s going on here, who earnestly buy into the gangsta personas and alongside Chopper’s cool delivery come across like prime examples of harmless little boys attempting to be gangsta. It’s a very strange combination and for the incongruity of the message well worth tracking down. It’s also piss funny.