Before you read this piece, I suppose you should watch the video for "Fat Stripper," performed by Trafek and featuring Andy $tack. I’m sure the editor will link the video somewhere on the site, because in his own words, it is on his playlist.
Besides getting some context for this piece, I inquire you to look at the video on YouTube (click here) for the top two comments that defy the otherwise clean and intelligent discussion, which usually occurs in the comments section on anything on the internet. I’m not sure what they are now, but as of mid- June, the only two comments were "Millennials are cancer" and "this is art."
I really hope these two comments remain at the top, because that sort of encapsulates everything there is to say about this video. A song called "Fat Stripper," where the music video depicts larger women eating fried chicken off of skinny, white rappers in their late thirties (still technically Millenials) is not going to elicit a "Meh, it’s okay" response from anyone. You either are going to absolutely love it for what it is, hate it for what it’s not or just not pay attention when someone shows it to you. Before I wax philosophical about a song and it’s accompanying video involving larger-than-average nude dancers, I’d like to give a little bit of background on this bid-sized diddy.
Dirt Nasty would be proud to know that the idea for the song was first conceived by Trafek (of Bad Habitat fame) in the basement of Dante’s, after Dirt Nasty’s set. Trafek was opening for Dirt at Dante’s, and as is usually the case with an evening of Dirt Nasty at Portland’s legendary venue, the basement- slash-green-room was teeming with booze, substances and strippers. Claaaaaassic. In Trafek’s own words, "There were a couple girls there on the bigger side" and he just started freestyling lines about the ladies around him. Andy $tack (also of Bad Habitat), who also has a verse on the finished song, was apparently present during the genesis of the song, but he doesn’t remember. Andy was "hella faded," as he put it. Still, could you ask for a more perfect origin story for the video I am assuming you just watched?
When Trafek got home and started working on the song in earnest, he was initially making fun of one-liner rappers that continue to persist in popularity throughout hip hop’s history. However, the song became something more earnest.
Typically, Bad Habitat takes a more serious lyrical approach and Trafek adheres to a more militant style of hip hop (and has throughout most of his career). Young Trafek would say "Hip hop needs to be hard, hardcore...no gimmicks. It has to be about the lyrics!" and he stuck to his guns throughout his teens, twenties and thirties. A fan of the Hieroglyphics crew and Wu- Tang Clan, lyrical ingenuity and brutality was all that mattered to Young Trafek.
But, then you grow up and realize it’s okay to make jokes—it’s okay to be funny. Part of the reason Trafek didn’t bring "Fat Stripper" to Bad Habitat, was that it wouldn’t match Bad Habitat’s more serious feel. In what I consider an endearing twist, Trafek’s song about preferring the strippers who have more body weight than those that society considers attractive shows his maturity. Rather than constantly posturing and being "hard," Trafek finally realized that it’s okay to not be taken seriously. It’s okay to have a laugh.
And who knows, maybe taking the silly turn will be what breaks Trafek into the mainstream. Wasn’t Mickey Avalon’s big hit called "My Dick" or something? Who knows. And, good on Andy $tack for jumping on board. Usually behind the turntables for Bad Habitat sets, Andy finally gets on the mic for this song and is featured prominently in the video.
This could be the beginning of a new project, if the video takes off. I asked the pair if they had an idea for a name, which they do not. It would be a shame if they went the Method Man & Redman route. I suggested gems such as Mandy $tack, $tackin’ Matts, The Matt & Andy Show...I dunno, you think of one and send it to them. "Trafek feat. Andy $tack" is too clunky. Trafek’s birth name is "Matt," if you didn’t figure that out already. If you watch this music video and are offended by anything other than the fact that not all the strippers depicted are fat, please stop reading this piece, because there is clearly no reasoning with your trigger-happy mind. The premise, staging and plot of the video were pretty much entirely cooked up by Ilima Considine of Sexbots (a pluralized name for Ilima’s currently solo act) fame. Ilima is a mother of two and somehow supports all of the above with her music and video production (or she has a day job—I didn’t ask).
Still, while the genius of the song’s lyrics are all on Trafek and $tack (plus some dope production by Trafek all on his own), the video is all Sexbots. The entirety of the video was shot in a window of four hours. Miss Sexbots works fast and efficiently, on a budget (for all you musical acts out there who can’t afford Spike Jonze). While she is often a hired gun, she took particular interest in this project.
"There is a way that strippers are portrayed normally in rap videos that I’m just not interested in," as she put it. "This song seemed like just the kind of flip-on-its-head the trope needed." Ilima went to university in San Diego and noticed that when dudes went to strip clubs in groups, they would put all their attention on the skinny girls and tip moderately, mostly trying to get the girls to come home with them. However, she noticed that solo patrons would pay a lot more attention to the larger strippers (and a lot more dollars).
So, although it’s still a job, Ilima has a vested emotional interest in this video, as do all the dancers that appeared in it. Trafek mentioned that the gals who were invited to be in the video, but declined, thinking it would be embarrassing, IMMEDIATELY regretted their decision not to partake, once they saw the finished product. At the end of the day, the song and video are simply fun. They are a celebration. They are the best parts of what Trafek refers to as "one-liner rap"—essentially party rap, but with a body positive, all-inclusive vibe. More importantly than all of that, it just stands out. A video with the title "Fat Stripper" is going to create some kind of reaction— be it positive or negative.
If you’re surfing through YouTube, the title alone is going to give you pause. If you’re going to be offended by anything, be offended that it is this kind of gimmicky thinking that artists have to turn to, to get any kind of attention. I’m in no way demeaning the song or the lovely ladies in it. It’s a fun song and even funnier video. Rather, I’m saddened that these are the kind of social media bait tactics true artists have to use, if they want to be noticed in any way. Also, just know that if you share this video as an example of "what’s wrong with the patriarchy" or "body-shaming," you are doing what Trafek, Andy $tack and Sexbots want you to do—you are giving them your attention. They win. You lose.
Also, the fried chicken used in the video is gluten-free, so you can calm down.
Catch Trafek and Andy $tack live, Friday, August 9, at Club Oasis.
