Postmodernism Rap

by Jane And Mark Lewis

Background
Rating
Characters
Staging
Script

Background

This sketch was written because we were tackling the subject of Postmodernism in a Family Service and we thought - how on Earth do we explain postmodernism? This was the result.
More recently we reprised and rewrote the sketch with the help of our sons Ethan and Simeon so included below is the original rap and the 2010 rewrite.

Rating

Characters

Professor Brains - A Modernist - showing the scientific, rationalistic world-view
Rapper Diddy Puff - A Post-modernist - showing the new-age "pick and mix", Style over content world view

Staging

The Professor (Modernist) should be dressed as a scientist (white lab coat) and Diddy Puff (Postmodernist) in rapper gear: trainers, big puffer jacket, baseball cap, etc. The beat of the rap is hard to describe in words but goes something like

Bom-Ch-Bom-Ba-Ba-Bom
Bom-Ch-Bom-Ba-Ba-Bom

We found it helpful to both perform these two lines in between each verse to keep the beat. The person who is not currently rapping should click their fingers or do something else to keep time.

Original Script

I'm a modernist. That’s my world view.
I use reason to decide what's true
The world’s complex, how do I view it?
Think, consider, DON'T "just do it"

I'm a post-modernist and I'm no fool
Cos I wear my Nike's and I act real cool
Image is everything - that ain't rehearsed
Whatcha gotta do is obey your thirst (pssst Drink Sprite)

I believe in logic and rational thought
The world makes sense, so I've been taught
If I can't solve it, get a mental block
I turn to my idol - Mr Spock (live long and prosper)

What's true is true when is true for me
Truth is relative - that's post-modern-ity
The truth is out there - say Mulder and Sculley
But I'm in here and ain't in no hurry.

Post-modernism is a crazy disease
Makes people think they can do as they please
Its all soft and fluffy, makes me squirm
What we want are facts, hard and firm

Words mean nothing is what I always say
So don't follow me, go your own way.
The world of religion is just pick and mix
If you get too hungry, just pick up a Twix

I'm a modernist and I like to act
After careful reason, thought and fact
I believe everything is solved by science
All the worlds problems fixed by an appliance

I logon to the Web to go virtual shopping
Watch TV and go channel hopping
I like my information in bite-sized chunks
If I'm not entertained I'm down in the dumps

Marketing products, chose another fad
Defined by the latest TV-ad
Post-modernism is the latest trend
Its the one that top breeders recommend

Trainspotting is no longer quite what it seems
Its a film which blurs reality and dreams
Everything is merging - both man and machine
"I'll be back" - know what I mean?

Everything's a muddle there's no clear diction
Take Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction
There’s about as much truth in a comic like the Beano
As you get in a film by Quentin Tarantino

I'm a post-modernist and I'm no fool
Cos I wear my Nike's and I act real cool
I'm off to go and surf the Net
But first I gotta feed my cyper-pet

[spoken] This rap was sponsored by Coca-Cola and the number 3.

2010 Rewrite

I'm a modernist. That’s my world view.
I use reason to decide what's true
The world’s complex, how do I view it?
Think, consider, DON'T "just do it"

I'm a post-modernist - “I pity da fool”
I wear my puffer jacket and I act real cool
Image is everything - that ain't rehearsed
Whatcha gotta do is obey your thirst
(pssst Drink Sprite)

I believe in logic and rational thought
The world makes sense, so I've been taught
If I can't solve it, get a mental block
I turn to my idol - Mr Spock
(live long and prosper)

Truth is true when is true for me
But I ain’t bovvered when I’m playing on the Wii
This guy thinks in a rational manner
I think it means – he’s a proper spanner

I'm a modernist and I like to act
After careful reason, thought and fact
I believe everything is solved by science
All the worlds problems fixed by an appliance

Words mean nothing - I always say
Don’t follow me - go your own way.
World of religion - just pick and mix
Follow pop idol - get a daily fix

Post-modernism is a crazy disease
Makes people think they can do as they please
Marketing products, chose another fad
Defined by the latest viral-ad

Log on to the Web - go virtual shoppin’
Down-load tunes - go channel hoppin’
Twitter, YouTube and facebook.
Wanna know how I feel - take a look

This rap was sponsored by Coca-Cola and the number 3.

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