Known for their use of humor, obscure references, and unconventional style, Das Racist has been both dismissed as joke rap and hailed as an urgent new voice in rap. Spin magazine picked Das Racist as one of 50 acts to watch at the 2010 SXSW festival, and in April 2010, MTV Iggy selected Das Racist as one of the "25 Best New Bands in the World". Rolling Stone declared the song "hahahaha jk?" from Sit Down, Man one of the fifty best singles of 2010.
Das Racist's unique style has a strong polarizing tendency; their set at the Pop Montreal festival was described as "the most divisive show seen at the festival". They describe their approach to music as "'deconstructionalist': sawing the legs out from under hip-hop as they celebrate it".The New York Times wrote "Das Racist’s lack of piety has become an aesthetic of its own, with songs that are as much commentary on hip-hop as rigorous practice of it". The Root said Das Racist could speak for both "the ‘hood or the nearest gated community." Playboy called the duo "equal parts hip-hop and Cheech & Chong".
In December 2012, statements made by members of Das Racist made apparent that the band had broken up.
The Trick
Das Racist Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're in heaven
At least I think so, I really think so
There's nothing really to get mad at
It's nothing, really, no, it's really no problem!
Everything overstood, overseen
Big only those bold enough to dream big seem big
Sticky icky, Jack Frost
Tricky dicky, blast off
Vicky-Vicky Vazquez
Ask this kid no questions
All kids kiss, no weapon, Smith no Wesson
Wesleyan, no lessons learned
Confession burn
You make me wanna, you remind me of
Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera
Don't get it? Don't sweat it, just let it go
It's better with no Geppetto, though
[Chorus]
It's really Heems, and I'm rapping with my friends
People all happy cause it's happening again
Comin' to our shows and clapping again and again
Thank you, my friends
I'm ill, people really love me
I'm wack, yo, people think I'm ugly
I'm ill, five hundred dollars for the boots
I'm wack, I never tell the truth
Four hundred dollars for the boots
[Chorus]
The chorus of the song "The Trick" by Das Racist talks about being in heaven and not having anything to get mad at. The focus is on a feeling of contentment, and the repetition of "I really think so" emphasizes this. The following verses seem to be a stream of consciousness narrative, with references to drugs ("sticky icky") and something called the "Mac sauce," which could refer to a McDonald's menu item. "Tricky dicky" could be a reference to disgraced former US President Richard Nixon. "Vicky-Vicky Vazquez" is unclear, but could either be a reference to someone specific or simply a play on words. The line "All kids kiss, no weapon, Smith no Wesson" seems to suggest the innocence of children, and perhaps a desire to return to a more pure and simple way of life.
The second verse features Heems rapping about himself and his reception by the public. He claims to be both "ill" and "wack," with people loving him one moment and thinking he's ugly the next. The line about the expensive boots is likely a commentary on the materialism of the rap industry, where expensive designer clothing is often seen as a marker of success. The chorus is repeated once more, ending the song on a note of contentment and gratitude for the support of friends and fans.
Overall, "The Trick" is a song that seems to present a slice of life for the members of Das Racist. The stream of consciousness lyrics, references to drugs and politics, and commentary on the rap industry all contribute to a sense of authenticity and lived experience.
Line by Line Meaning
We're in heaven
We're doing so well; this situation is amazing
At least I think so, I really think so
I'm pretty sure that we're doing well, but I'm not certain
There's nothing really to get mad at
There's no reason to be angry or upset right now
It's nothing, really, no, it's really no problem!
Don't worry about anything, everything is fine
Everything overstood, overseen
I understand everything completely
Big only those bold enough to dream big seem big
Only those who are brave enough to have big dreams appear successful
Stack big, act big, Mac sauce
Accumulate a lot of money, act like a wealthy person, get fancy sauce from McDonald's
Sticky icky, Jack Frost
Really good marijuana, also known as Jack Frost
Tricky dicky, blast off
Sneaky tactics, then take off quickly
Vicky-Vicky Vazquez
A reference to someone named Vicky Vazquez
Ask this kid no questions
Don't ask me any questions
All kids kiss, no weapon, Smith no Wesson
Children only kiss, they don't use weapons like a Smith & Wesson
Wesleyan, no lessons learned
I went to Wesleyan University, but I didn't really learn anything important
Confession burn
Confessing something difficult or painful can hurt
You make me wanna, you remind me of
You inspire me, or bring up memories of something/someone else
Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera
And so on, and so forth, and other similar things
Don't get it? Don't sweat it, just let it go
If you don't understand something, don't worry about it and move on
It's better with no Geppetto, though
It's better to have success or accomplishments without someone else controlling or manipulating you
It's really Heems, and I'm rapping with my friends
My name is really Heems, and I'm performing with my friends
People all happy 'cause it's happening again
People are happy because we're performing again
Coming to our shows and clapping again and again
People come to our performances and cheer repeatedly
Thank you, my friends
Thank you to everyone who supports us
I'm ill, people really love me
I'm talented, and people really like me
I'm wack, yo, people think I'm ugly
I'm not good, and people think I'm unattractive
I'm ill, five hundred dollars for the boots
I'm doing really well financially, I can afford expensive boots
I'm wack, I never tell the truth
I'm not good, I always lie
Four hundred dollars for the boots
The boots I bought were actually slightly cheaper than I previously stated
[Chorus]
Repeating the sentiment that everything is going well and there's nothing to worry about
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Burt Sampson
Fantastic.
Yung lean
This was added on my birthday. Thank you, but das rascist
Brandon Safe
It's because Vampire Weekend's Rostam Batmanglij produced this song, and he's a genius.
kyleaday365
@thekrackhedjokes This was added on my Birthday too. I turned 18 Sept 14, 2011. Swag.
Dave Teves
This song has always the Rostam Batmanglij sound xD
nate dean
Thnx to who ever posted this i would have never known this released.
Rory O'Connell
Did not know the dude from Vampire weekend produced this. Oh my
Nora
rostam?!
zeranzeran
I knew that synth sounded familiar
sounds just like 'Discovery'
Evan Fried
This is what love FEELS like.