There is a thesis waiting to be written about the crossover between stand-up and rap. Among others there is Doc Brown, Abandoman to name two and then there is Baba Brinkman. The Canadian rapper delivers comical – and educational – raps at absolutely lightning speed without missing a beat. Following his Rap Guide to Evolution and Rap Guide to Religion he returns to the UK with his Rap Guide To Consciousness (and also a show about neuroscience). Baba’s brain consists of roughly 90 billion neurons with trillions of connections, and none of them has any clue that he exists. And yet those cells come together to produce a steady stream of ill rhymes and laughs. Mindblowing stuff indeed. Buy a ticket and see for yourself.
Baba Brinkman's Rap Guide to Consciousness is at Assembly George Square Studios from August 2 - 28. Tickets here.
Off The Top, Neuroscience With Attitude, Ciao Roma from Aug 5 - 27. Info here.
1. What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)?
Check my phone. That hour away from it is the hardest of my day.
2. What irritates you?
Snapping your fingers in appreciation of a spoken word poetry performance. Also, spoken word poetry.
3. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
Driving too fast on black ice in a Volkswagen van on a mountain road in Western Canada in the snow while freestyle rapping in December 2001. I spun out and punctured three of my four tyres against the ice on the shoulder but didn’t flip or go off a cliff. Could have been the end of me. Freestyle rapping is mad dangerous like that.
4. What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
See above.
5. What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
Having anything resembling a “career in comedy” has been a big surprise in itself. I still identify as a rapper rather than a stand-up, but I’ve been integrating more and more comedy material into my sets over the years. Maybe one day I’ll fully transition, but for now I’m just exploring my non-binary comedy-curious theatrical rap identity, and I appreciate the Fringe for providing a safe space for that process.
Interview continues here.
