The Rap Guide To Evolution
Two unlikely subjects from evolutionary biology and hip-hop come together onstage in Baba Brinkman’s award-winning show, The Rap Guide To Evolution.
The show applies the main theories of evolutionary biology to hip-hop/rap culture, particularly in how they are referenced implicitly in the lyrics and the fight for space in the market place.
“The show is targeted in multiple directions at once. For hip-hop fans it’s full of references, lyrics and biographies from Mobb Deep and Biggie Smalls to Eminem but it’s also about converting my parents’ generation to understand and appreciate rap and also to turn young people on to science,” says Brinkman.
He was recruited to write the show by Dr Mark Palin to “do for Darwin what he had done for Chaucer”, after his previous show Rap Canterbury Tales broke the mould. This makes The Rap Guide To Evolution the first and perhaps only scientifically accurate peer-reviewed hip-hop show.
“After three years of reading mostly evolutionary biology and psychology books the show continues to mutate, especially in the Q&A freestyle rap section,” says Brinkman. (JA)
Jun 18-20, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, $20-25, sydneyoperahouse.com; Jun 24-25, Riverside Theatre, Church & Market St, Parramatta, $20-25, riversideparramatta.com.au; Jun 26-27, Casula Powerhouse, 1 Powerhouse Rd, Casula, $15-20, casulapowerhouse.com
BY JAMIE APPS
