So Allhiphop.com is reporting, based on some unnamed sources, that Bill Cosby is recording a rap album called State of Emergency. Yes, that Bill Cosby — the very same sitcom icon /Jell-O spokesperson who’s taken to casually bashing hip-hop in recent years. Cosby’s drawn a healthy amount of criticism for what some call overly broad, reactionary attacks on a younger generation’s culture. What could he possibly do with a mic, other than embarrass himself? According to that unsubstantiated report, State of Emergency will be a "sanitized, issue-oriented CD." That sounds like a pretty atrocious idea, on the face of it. Forget "conscious rap" — could The Cos be singlehandedly inventing the distinct genre of "crotchety rap"?
Well, maybe. But the man does have some relevant experience as a musician — even, one might say, as a rapper of sorts. What else would you call the talky, stream-of-consciousness Beatles and Motown covers he recorded for 1968′s Bill Cosby Sings Hooray for the Salvation Army Band!, if not proto-rap? You can find the seriously strange results all over the Web today (here, for example); some of them are even kinda good. So as easy as it is to mock Cosby’s flow before we hear it, let’s not forget that this could be listenable. Maybe. Anyone else half-believe in this project?
YO, YO, YO, J-E-L-L-O!
life after [the] death [of the cosby show and my cultural relevance]
no longer a huxtable
bout to drop a quotable
theo, denise and the fam
all know who i am
it’s the big c-o-s
put two in ya chest
you been warned
frim muf&*kin’ flarn!
Hiphop’s dead right? So why not put a little spark in it’s burnt-out kindling? Go for it Cos, his rappin’ couldn’t possibly be as shitty as the majority of the stuff out right now.
Maybe someone needs to give Mr. Cosby a copy of the greatest comedy CD ever recorded. Does anyone remember when Pat Boone released “In a metal mood”, which was a really bad idea but this sounds about 10 times worse.
First the writer’s strike, now this. How much can United freaking States of America take? I swear to God…
No mocking the Cos here. As long as he doesn’t create a Leonard Part VII.
Well, I can say that one of the problems with trying to steer young people away from the “gangsta” lifestyle, and the role models for it, is the fact that if they like that kind of music, there’s pretty much nothing positive to listen to. So it’s a good idea, and I’m glad to see him putting some effort into this. It seems like he could put some money behind a person that kids could identify with- someone closer to their age. But that’s just my opinion- it’s his money and hopefully this will not be the trainwreck everyone is predicting…
You’re forgetting that Cos had a Top 10 hit and gold record with “Little Ole Man” from the 1967 album “Silver Throat: Bill Cosby Sings.” Of course, he had a little help from the Stevie Wonder classic “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)”.
I wouldn’t bet against his having a huge rap hit, either.
Hey, who wouldn’t want to hear a rap version of “Noah”?
Bill Cosby rapping?!! This is going to be awesome! Bill Cosby is one of the greatest storytellers of all time. I have been a huge Hip Hop fan since Rapper’s Delight icame out way back n 1979. I listen to everything from Public Enemy, Eminem to Common. I cannot wait for this album. I have a good feeling that the Cos’ will surprise everyone and really pull this off!
Let’s hope it’s like this:
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/cosbyrap
Cos rules. I think he could probably pull it off if he goes on the smooth tip – like Common or something.
ksidm bincuk csbmu uehfd xlau xmyatdjg evthzglf