So You Wanna Be Hardcore? Be “Straight Outta Dunwoody”

We all know that kid—the one who grew up in the suburbs but, with the assistance of some solid Lil’ Wayne lyrics, saggy pants, and a couple episodes of BET’s 106th & Park, creates just the right amount of caricature and stereotype to convince er’body in their solidly middle class “‘hood” that they’re harder than the average. Some (way too many, actually) buy it hook, line and sinker. If we grown folk are keen enough to catch the shenanigans, though, it’s always a good thing to remind the young Fresh Princes and Princesses that there’s absolutely nothing glamorous about growing up destitute with a foot on your neck, and trading in on stereotypes and caricatures to make yourself seem cool in the eyes of The Others is not only foolish, but devalues the plight of some of those in our community who are stuck and can’t find a way out.

Catch one in the act, and you could snatch him up by the neck and have a quick conversation with him about it. Or you can call up this video, “Straight Outta Dunwoody,” Dormtainment.com’s hysterical, cross-cultural smash-up of NWA’s “Straight Outta Compton.” A paean to suburban living, this will clear it right on up for the confused young chaps who think their skin color, well-placed pants and choice slang gives them license to claim ‘hood roots. It’s straight hilarity—and quite clever. (And shout out to the guys at Dormtainment.com, whose online video comedy sketches make me giggle just as hard as anything I’ve seen on FunnyOrDie.com; their October Pt. 2 sketch is pure foolishness!) Enjoy!