Top Five Nerd References In Hip Hop

By Matt Demers

5. MF Doom; all of him.

The man is a rapper who wears a Doctor Doom-inspired mask. Frequently heard in the company of Ghostface Killah from the below-mentioned Wu-Tang Clan and Danger Mouse, Metal Face Doom rarely appears without his mask; he performs sets and is photographed in it. I’d say that’s dedication to everyone’s favorite villain, but apparently that’s not enough for him: Doom himself is featured rapping on one of MF’s album covers.

4. “Jump Around” by House of Pain, House of Pain

Everyone’s favorite Irish hooligan guilty pleasures, House of Pain impressed us by dropping a tiny gaming reference in their one-hit wonder “Jump Around”—I think it’s mostly to rhyme something with “Schwarzenegger.”

Or better yet a terminator
Like Arnold Schwarzenegger
Try’n to play me out like as if my name was Sega

3. “Rose Garden” by Shad, TSOL

I’ve written about Shad a couple times for Popshifter now, but I’m still going to throw in this shout out to Green Lantern in his single “Rose Garden.” I definitely enjoyed the Southern Ontario town references, as well.

Like rah-rah, Glenn Beck better duck like foie gras,
Make shots poke his face like Gaga,
But mama says forgive, so I’ll give him that bar like a Mars and let him live;
The Mississauga continues, Brampton, while my DJ’s lampin’ like Green Lantern, samplin’

2. “Intergalatic” by Beastie Boys, Hello Nasty

I didn’t want to include any nerdcore in this list, and I’m not sure that the Beastie Boys dodge that rule. The Beasties seem to love Star Trek, and manage to throw one of a couple references into their hit, “Intergalactic.”

If you try to knock me you’ll get mocked
I’ll stir fry you in my wok
Your knees’ll start shaking and your fingers pop
Like a pinch on the neck of Mr. Spock

1. “Shame on a N***a” by Wu-Tang Clan, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

Racial slur in the title aside, Wu-Tang’s first album was full of solid tracks and nerd references. The Voltron metaphor illustrates the forming of the Clan’s nine members into something bigger and better; with rapper GZA at the head (Black Lion, woo!); I’d say their leadership is pretty capable.

Brothers approach and half step, but ain’t heard
HALF of it yet, and I bet you’re not a fuckin’ vet
So, when you see me on the real, formin’ like Voltron
Remember I got deep like a Navy Seal!