One of the group’s trademarks was the experimentation with Dutch lyrics, which resulted the (back then) four piece in being the first ever crew in The Netherlands to release a complete demo in their native language. This turned out to be the start of a new genre they still call ‘Nederhop’ to this day, a term consisting of the words “Nederlandse” (Dutch) and “Hip-Hop”.
The start of Osdorp Posse can be tracked back as far as 1986, when Def P (real name Pascal Griffioen) made his debut on the Dutch hip-hop scene with the group Funky Fresh Force, consisting of him and DJ Dov, who would later become a famous House DJ under the pseudonym DJ The Prophet.
In 1988 Griffioen started experimenting with Dutch lyrics as a joke (translating American rap lyrics from groups such as N.W.A.), and a creative exercise (writing a couple of ‘real’ songs). His nephew Marco (later on taking on the nickname IJsblock – a literal translation of N.W.A.’s infamous Ice Cube) joined in the musical tomfoolery, as they recorded raps on instrumental tracks from their record collection, using nothing but a tape deck and a microphone.
It wasn’t until Marco and Pascal met Robin (now known as Seda) and Arthur (King) that they got down to writing real material that they found suitable for recording. Even though their musical playground that they had by then labelled Osdorp Posse (named after the Amsterdam neighbourhood Osdorp, where they all lived) consisted of a large group of friends with a continuously changing line-up, the core of the Posse was the four guys, and would remain so until twelve years later. With a lot of the co-rappers leaving the group with no interest in taking Osdorp Posse to a next level, the group recorded an infamous demo as a fourpiece. The nameless cassette – which quickly became known as ‘De Rode Demo’ (The Red Demo) – was handed out to friends, and travelled the country, taking the underground alternative music scene by storm through the tape trading circuit.
One of the many people who got hands on De Rode Demo was Saskia Sleger, the owner of the underground dancelabel DJAX. Recognizing the originality as well as the obvious talent, Sleger decided to contact the group and offer them a contract. Hardly believing what just happened to them, the young rappers immediately signed with DJAX, without reading the fine print. Def P later described this move in the band’s biography ‘Tien Jaar OP’ as impulsive and a bit naïve, but it turned out to be a good thing: the start of legendary career.
Now having to actually release cds instead of fooling around with a tapedeck, Pascal, Marco, Robin and Arthur franticly started writing out the material that they had come with before heading to a local studio in 1992, recording the first ever ‘Nederhop’ cd: the poorly produced yet explosive, hardcore and edgy twenty three song classic ‘Osdorp Stijl’ (Osdorp Style).
With an official release in stores, the group started on a journey that moved their live-shows away from the squat- and fret houses, onto the ‘ real’ alternative music scene. The album was an instant underground classic, which not only spawned an entire generation of Dutch Hip-hop acts at the time, but also quickly finding a following within a diverse group of alternative music fans such as punkers, metalheads, rockers and many alike.
The following two releases were plagued by the same production problems as their infamous debut, but through their sheer determination, explosive live shows and hardcore, relentless lyrical attitude became underground hits nevertheless. It wasn’t until they were asked to play the warm-up show at the biggest festival in the Netherlands, Pinkpop, that they got recognition from a larger audience. Their fourth cd entitled ‘Afslag Osdorp’ (Osdorp Exit), was released soon after the legendary festival appearance, and was the groups largest commercial success to that date. Riding the wave of word-to-mouth advertising following Pinkpop and their years on end of touring and self promoting (being ignored by mainstream media and critics), Afslag Osdorp sold thousands of copies; an achievement that was until then unthinkable for a Dutch rap act.
Later that year, with their popularity growing to a new height, Osdorp Posse played one of the most legendary and afterwards most talked about performances on the Dutch alternative music scene at the Lowlands Festival. Something that was euphemistically called a programming mistake, the group was set to play the smallest tent (Charlie) in the afternoon. Even though the Amsterdam crew warned the festival organisation about the possible consequences, the foursome’s advice to move their show to a bigger tent fell was ignored, resulting in half the festival attendees trying to fit in the small, claustrophobic space in anticipation of what was then one of the biggest things in Dutch music: Osdorp Posse. After the first couple of notes were played, the frantic crowd started to mosh, pogo and crowdsurf with such an enthusiasm that they nearly destroyed the entire tent. Def P later explained he had no idea how dangerous the situation was, that eventually led to an early ending of the gig when the crowd rushed to the stage, crushing the structure. No one got seriously hurt, yet everyone had witnessed and taken part in a legendary festival moment, talked about to this day.
In 1996 the group received the prestigious ‘ Pop Prijs’ (Pop Prize), as a recognition of their pioneering role in the Dutch hip-hop scene. That year also marked another legendary festival performance; the Dynamo Open Air festival – at that time the most important Heavy Metal event in the world – playing as the first and only hip-hop crew ever in front of more then a 100.000 longhaired metalheads, a large portion of whom were stoned Germans (enjoying the music all the same). The following year, ‘ Osdorp’ returned to Pinkpop, this time playing not once but twice: first on the small stage, returning on the final day at the main stage in front of 60.000 people.
After the commercial and artistic successes of albums such as ‘Briljant, Hard en Geslepen’ (Brilliant, Hard and Polished) – recorded with death metal band Nembrionic, and the chart success ‘Geendagsvlieg’ (literally: No day fly, as a play on words to the term ‘one day fly’, emphasizing their timelessness) the Posse left their long time label Djax to start up their own label called RAMP Records (consisting of the first letters in their names: Robin, Arthur, Marco, Pascal). In 2000, the group’s first release on their own turf called ‘ Kernramp’ (Nuclear Disaster) became their biggest commercial success, and remains so to this day. For the first time in their 12 year long career, Osdorp Posse even landed on the Dutch TOP 40 charts with their single ‘ Origineel Amsterdams’, which eventually ploughed into the top 10.
The release of their eighth album also marked the first change in line-up the group had seen since the early demo days: DJ ‘Deegmeester’ Daan – who already joined the band on stage for quite a while – became the fifth member of Osdorp Posse. That year they returned to Lowlands Festival as a five-piece, this time on a bigger stage. Once again controversy was part of the group’s performance, with Def P openly protesting against the nationwide crowd surf ban (as a result to the Roskilde tragedy earlier that year).
Around that time the music industry started crashing down. With programmes such as Napster and Kazaa providing fans with free – yet illegal – music, Osdorp Posse’s new label had a hard time lifting off. Every release after ‘ Kernramp’, such as ‘ Tegenstrijd” (meaning both Counter Battle, and Contradiction in Dutch) and Hollandse Hardcore Hip-Hop Helden all saw decreasing sales figures. At the same time, the genre the group created – Nederhop – had become a mainstream phenomena with acts such as Extince, Def Rhymz, and new school artists and groups like Raymster and Opgezwolle taking over the Dutch hiphop scene. Osdorp Posse, never being a favourite of the mainstream media – could only witness their own decline.
Around 2004, the group had plummeted back into the underground scene, once again playing the smaller venues. The groups hardcore following had eye for their later releases with bands such as Laberinto and Blind Justice, but stayed true to their heroes all the same.
Near the end of 2008, the group has announced to call it quits. After a release party of their final effort entitled ‘2 Decennia’ (Two Decades), Osdorp Posse embarked on a farewell tour, taking them to all the places they played, rocked the mike at, and witnessed their fanatic following go crazy to their hardcore style of performing.
The group’s swansong took place on their own turf, in the Amsterdam club De Melkweg in September of 2009, leaving a legacy that can not be ignored or forgotten: the invention and perfection of Nederhop.
Chemoderniseerd
Osdorp Posse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
anoniem en genummerd en afhankelijk
In een computerfile geregistreerd
en je oude baantje wordt weg geautomatiseerd!
Pinpas, Chippercode en je nieuwe Chipknip
Een meiertje aan Euro's of een nieuwe chipsnip
Een nummer in de files van het G.A.B.
Een nummer in de files van de P.T.T.
Bel de Datingservice voor een kinderslet
met je zaktelefoon of check je maxer
Je bieper gaat als je net zit te relaxen
Ze houden je overal in de gaten
als je bij een loketcamera staat te praten
of te hard rijdt langs zo¹n fokking flitspaal
op de digitale snelweg met blitse taal
Voicemail, slap ouwehoeren op de website
Real livesexdoll, neuken met een nepmeid
Protheses aangedreven door een kunsthart
Pacemaker, brein psychologisch verward
De chemokar wacht in de zure regen
De moderne mens die kan toch overal tegen
Is genetisch gemanipuleerd nou geleerd
of verkeerd? Ach we worden chemoderniseerd!
GEPERFECTIONEERD!
GEMANIPULEERD!
GEMODERNISEERD!
CHEMODERNISEERD!
De chemische oorlog komt dichterbij
en de kernenergie geeft licht er bij!
De nieuwe Jezus hangt aan een kruisraket
Slachtoffers worden live op de buis geplet
Ze kunnen tegenwoordig al schapen klonen
en spuiten beesten vol met groeihormonen
Kinderen van elf die krijgen al borsten
en niemand die weet wat er zit in worsten!
Van je computerscherm door naar je T.V.
Als een slaaf van je scherm blijft je baas tevree
Roken is duur, maar het maakt je slanker
en vroeg of laat krijg je toch wel een keer kanker!
Het wettelijk geschrift lijkt soms geschift
Als je ouder wordt dan neem je toch gewoon een facelift?
De steden blijven groeien, de natuur verdwijnt
en de armen die trekken aan het kortste eind
Alles draait om uiterlijk vertoon en macht
Materialisme, oh wat een pracht!
Siliconentieten en nylonhaar
en sex zonder rubber brengt je in gevaar
Is kijkdichtheid of Love all you need?
Generatie X op de pillen en de speed
Is genetisch gemanipuleerd nou verkeerd
of geleerd? Ach we worden chemoderniseerd!
GEPERFECTIONEERD!
GEMANIPULEERD!
GEMODERNISEERD!
CHEMODERNISEERD!
The lyrics of Osdorp Posse's song Chemoderniseerd can be seen as a commentary on the increasing role of technology in our lives and the dehumanizing effects it can have. The lyrics describe a world where everything is anonymous and numbered, where even our jobs are being replaced by machines. We are reduced to being mere numbers in computer files, tracked and monitored at every turn by various agencies and institutions. The lyrics also touch on the growing power of the media and its ability to shape our perceptions of the world, often at the expense of our own humanity.
The song speaks of the dangers of genetic engineering and the pursuit of perfection at any cost. It raises questions about the ethics of cloning and the use of growth hormones in animals. The lyrics also draw attention to the unsustainable growth of urban areas at the expense of the natural world and how this disproportionately affects the poor. Osdorp Posse paints a picture of a society where appearance and power reign supreme, where materialism and consumerism are the norm, and where sex and violence are used to sell products and ideas. The song ultimately suggests that our society is becoming more chemodernized - dependent on and transformed by technology - but at what cost?
Line by Line Meaning
Het leven wordt hard en afstandelijk,
Life is becoming harder and more distant,
anoniem en genummerd en afhankelijk
Anonymous and numbered, we are becoming increasingly dependent on technology,
In een computerfile geregistreerd
Our information is being registered in computer files,
en je oude baantje wordt weg geautomatiseerd!
Even our jobs are becoming automated and disappearing,
Pinpas, Chippercode en je nieuwe Chipknip
We now use pin codes, chip codes, and electronic wallets for financial transactions,
Een meiertje aan Euro's of een nieuwe chipsnip
We can easily spend our money in small amounts through electronic means,
Een nummer in de files van het G.A.B.
Our personal information is stored in government files,
Een nummer in de files van de P.T.T.
Our phone records are also stored in files,
Een chat in je flat op het internet
We communicate with each other through internet chat rooms in our flats,
Bel de Datingservice voor een kinderslet
Even dating services are now available online, including those for children,
met je zaktelefoon of check je maxer
We now use our mobile phones to make calls, send messages, and check our data usage,
Je bieper gaat als je net zit te relaxen
Even when we're relaxing, we're always connected and on-call with our pagers,
Ze houden je overal in de gaten
Surveillance technology is everywhere, monitoring our every move,
als je bij een loketcamera staat te praten
Especially when we're using public services like bank or transportation, cameras are watching us,
of te hard rijdt langs zo¹n fokking flitspaal
Even when we're driving, we risk getting caught by speed cameras,
op de digitale snelweg met blitse taal
On the digital highway, we communicate with flashy language,
Voicemail, slap ouwehoeren op de website
We leave voicemails and engage in casual conversations on the internet,
Real livesexdoll, neuken met een nepmeid
We can even engage in sexual relationships with robotic dolls,
Protheses aangedreven door een kunsthart
Medical technology has advanced to the point where prosthetic limbs are powered by artificial hearts,
Pacemaker, brein psychologisch verward
Even our brains are being influenced by technology, like when we rely on pacemakers,
De chemokar wacht in de zure regen
In the midst of acid rain, the chemotherapy truck is waiting for us,
De moderne mens die kan toch overal tegen
Despite all these modern advancements, humans are resilient and can handle anything,
Is genetisch gemanipuleerd nou geleerd
But there is a question of whether genetically modified organisms are truly beneficial or harmful,
of verkeerd? Ach we worden chemoderniseerd!
But regardless, we are still being chemically modernized and changed,
GEPERFECTIONEERD!
We are being perfected!
GEMANIPULEERD!
We are being manipulated!
GEMODERNISEERD!
We are being modernized!
CHEMODERNISEERD!
We are being chemically modernized!
De chemische oorlog komt dichterbij
We are becoming closer to the possibility of facing a chemical war,
en de kernenergie geeft licht er bij!
And even nuclear energy is being used to light up our lives!
De nieuwe Jezus hangt aan een kruisraket
In this modern age, even religion is being threatened by explosive violence,
Slachtoffers worden live op de buis geplet
The media broadcasts graphic and disturbing footage of victims being crushed and killed,
Ze kunnen tegenwoordig al schapen klonen
We now have the technology to successfully clone sheep,
en spuiten beesten vol met groeihormonen
We also inject animals with growth hormones to increase their size and productivity,
Kinderen van elf die krijgen al borsten
Due to the hormones in our food and environment, children as young as eleven are developing breasts,
en niemand die weet wat er zit in worsten!
And nobody truly knows what is in our food or what we are consuming!
Van je computerscherm door naar je T.V.
We go from staring at our computer screens to our televisions,
Als een slaaf van je scherm blijft je baas tevree
Our bosses are happy when we remain constantly glued to our screens, like slaves to technology,
Roken is duur, maar het maakt je slanker
Smoking may be expensive, but it can help you lose weight,
en vroeg of laat krijg je toch wel een keer kanker!
But inevitably, smoking will increase your risk of getting cancer!
Het wettelijk geschrift lijkt soms geschift
The law can seem confusing and even crazy at times,
Als je ouder wordt dan neem je toch gewoon een facelift?
When we age, we may resort to getting facelifts to maintain our appearance,
De steden blijven groeien, de natuur verdwijnt
As cities expand, more and more of the natural world disappears,
en de armen die trekken aan het kortste eind
The poor are often the most affected by these changes and are left with the least resources,
Alles draait om uiterlijk vertoon en macht
Our society revolves around appearances and power,
Materialisme, oh wat een pracht!
Materialism is glorified and held in high regard!
Siliconentieten en nylonhaar
We can even modify our bodies through plastic surgery, with silicone breasts and nylon hair,
en sex zonder rubber brengt je in gevaar
But engaging in unprotected sex can be incredibly risky,
Is kijkdichtheid of Love all you need?
We are left to question whether what we watch on TV truly reflects what we need and want out of life,
Generatie X op de pillen en de speed
The younger generation is often turning to drugs and stimulants like pills and speed,
Is genetisch gemanipuleerd nou verkeerd
We once again question whether genetic modification is ultimately beneficial or harmful,
of geleerd? Ach we worden chemoderniseerd!
But regardless, our society is moving towards becoming increasingly chemically modernized!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: D.J. Daan de Deegmeester, Def P, Seda
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind