Allow me to preface the main portion of the article: for my first editorial, I wanted to focus on something that means a lot to me, and that is the fans of media. Those who not only consume it, but exude it as well. Fans, obsessionists, and anyone with passion beyond the initial view or use are the people who create the culture that allows the product, medium, company, character, or whatever it may be, grow and expand and touch the lives of others. To me, that is just as important as the initial creator’s work, because of the expansion that happens. Superman was not instantly popular the day it was sold, but through word of mouth and an avid fan base, the character was able to grow and become the first true American superhero, even if he is from Krypton.
Lately, as I frequent more media conventions, not just the Comic Cons, I’ve grown fonder of the artists and writers who are there. I have purchased artwork and comic books to add to my ever growing collection and that is the highlight of each trip. Sure, last month I got to see Stan Lee talk to a crowd, he even said “Inhumans” outloud, but having a limited edition poster of the Superior Spider-man #1 signed by artist Ryan Stegman gave me a bigger rush. Another guy did an upper-bust drawing of Blackbolt for me too, these will all be framed and heralded as my trophies from each hunt.
Now that I’ve digressed from the article’s headline, I hope my enthusiasm for those with enthusiasm for media is apparent. Today, I want to talk about an artist that does everything. He draws, he raps, does voice work, writes a TV show, and who knows what else. We’ve sent a couple messages back and forth on Facebook and he even retweeted me once! That may not be enough to make us friends, but I respect the hell out of his work. I’m talking about mc chris (Lowercase, no dots, iTunes).
Many of you may be familiar with his work but just not know it yet. My first encounter with Chris was through my favorite television show ever…Aqua Teen Hunger Force. He voiced the characters of MC Pee Pants, Sir Loin, and Little Brittle, a recurring character who has been sent to earth from Hell to take part in various schemes through his music, which Meatwad listens to adamantly. Great hits include “I Want Candy” (iTunes) and “For Da Shorteez,” (YouTube) both catchy tunes. He also appeared (YouTube) in the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie for Theaters in a smaller capacity, as a fly with somefunky beats.
Not to stop there for voice work, since he has such a unique voice (like a 10 year old, or so I’ve been told, iTunes), he has frequented such Adult Swim hits as Sealab 2021 and the Brak show. However, when I started to hear the rest of my college cohorts talk about mc chris in a popular manner was when his hit song “Fett’s Vette” (iTunes) was played on Zack and Miri Make a Porno. You know you know it too, the chorus includes “My backpack’s got jets, I’m Boba the Fett.” Now its in your head, you’re welcome. The song was actually released back in 2001 on the album Life’s a Bitch and I’m Her Pimp (Free download minus Fett’s Vette). Since then, I listen to at least one mc chris album monthly, varying from Goes to Hell (iTunes, 006 is killer) and the compilation/remix albums apple lung (FREE download) and apple tummy (Another FREE download), which sounds so much better than Girl Talk. His songs run the gamut from Star Wars to Batman to Harry Potter and Arby’s, so theres plenty to be entertained with.
Recently, mc has gone on to attempt to create an mc chris Cartoon show, which will be animated and produced by Titmouse Inc, the company behind Afro Samurai, Superjail, Metalocalypse, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Venture Brothers, and The Black Panther series that ran on BET. So this company isn’t something to be scoffed at, by far, and I feel mc chris’ work, not only in music, but in television, has great potential. To fund this cartoon, he didn’t go to the large production companies but set forth to Kickstarter to see if he could raise the lofty goal of $230,00 from fan contributions. As of this writing, he is at $24,000 with 51 days left. That is no small amount, my friends, no small amount at all. Theres plenty of time left too and you can count on ComicUI to be a backer. In fact, I already have and actively look forward to my t-shirt that says “don’t get me started’ all over it. If reverse psychology was ever a thing (it actually is), then it worked on me.
My reasons for supporting mc chris and his Wild West Mars cartoon are pretty straight forward. He is an artist and artists need the love. I’m a huge fan of creativity and the ability to express yourselves, which mc is doing and not giving up. No amount too large, people, has scared him away. Nor has any negative feedback, he’s sticking to his guns and for that I respect it as well. He’s not asking for handouts without any reciprocation, each monetary donation level has items that backers will receive. The higher the donation, the better the swag. From stickers to buttons to shirts to a personal concert from Chris himself. If I wasn’t currently chest deep in college debt, you could count on me to blow my wad on what should have been a dry run.
Another reason is that his content speaks to me. Not many people can write entire songs about Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter and get away with it, nor an album with the 4 lesser known bounty hunters from the Empire Strikes Back. To me, it was the little nods to everything that got me to smile like a skit that is an homage from the original Muppet movie in Townie (Sure don’t look like Presbyterians to me). His ability to tackle the nerdiest and most obscure of references is something I appreciate and relate to, on so many levels.
If anything, I want everyone to at least go check out mc chris’ Kickstarter page for the Wild West Mars cartoon and see if it would be up your alley and something you want to support. And remember, if you can support and build up your local artists, they appreciate. I know I sure do.
