Out of Creative Ideas? Try Exploitation...

When I say "exploitation," I of course refer to the academic parlance of Quentin Tarantino, Sam Raimi and Russ Meyer, who have launched -- and sustained -- careers from low-budget celebrations of gore, girls and racial stereotypes. Now I'm no film buff, but frankly, I am increasingly convinced that a well-done exploitation film can fulfill artistic license like no other genre. There are just no rules... the cinematic universe is 100% a work of creative whimsy. As when "Django Unchained's" Jamie Foxx goads his horse into a triumphant crip-walk after blowing the hell out of Candyland, the absurdity of these films channels genuine genius, and commentary. As ridiculous as the Rick Ross song was in the middle of "Django," is there really any more appropriate soundtrack for a slavery revenge flick then a 21st-century, 300-pound Miami "drug bawse," dripping in gold?

To the same extent, James' Franco's incarnation of RiFF RAFF -- of whom I have long been a fan -- in the upcoming "Spring Breakers" movie is pitch-perfect. For media-addicted rap nerds such as myself, the persona RiFF RAFF has constructed is at once a send-up and a genuine indictment of pop culture -- he's damn impossible to stop watching, not to mention that he can croon a real nice hook. As L.A. Times' Jeff Weiss notes:  "In a novelty-thirsty, camera-happy world, it was inevitable that a Riff Raff would emerge."

So seeing Franco gleefully embody RiFF as a villain -- or he is the hero? -- of "Spring Breakers" makes the movie worth watching in my book. "You can change who you are..." Franco cum RiFF shouts on stage in the above trailer...a bald-faced declaration for cut-and-paste 2013 verge culture, to be sure. And then there's Gucci Mane as drug lord -- "Ya'all wanna die tonight?!" O yeah, I'm definitely seeing this movie.

Who the Hell Are The BuffNerds?

While surfing the Internet in January during Winter Break, as I was wont to do, I came upon this little gem of a music video by two intriguing artists, K.i.D. and Futuristic:

 The music was smooth and hip, yet avant-garde. RaP GaME Salvador Dali, if you will.

Since that time, my Youtube feed has provided me a steady stream of "BuffNerds" videos, and my final verdict is that these guys are next to blow. They're whole vibe is total West Coast cool -- the color-drenched videography, the loose rapping style, the names. My personal favorite of the crew is K.i.D., but you can watch this crew video below and decide for yourself.

Just remember: I was the first guy in India to put on for the 'Nerds.

Suggest Unto Me Your Biographies

This blog just passed the venerable 50+ views mark. I'm going to ball-park that only 25 of those were me, so either my half-assed attempts at SEO maximization are working and forcing people to stumble upon "Of Bombay and B.Doyle," or there is a burgeoning market for content with regards to media critiques and avant garde gangsta hip-hop. 

So, let's interact: I need biographies to read. As previously mentioned, I just finished Neil Gabler's Walt Disney biography, and am currently in the midst of Walter Isaacson's Steve Jobs biography. Shoot me a suggestion of a biography about an epic personality or epoch-defining businessman, and I'll friend you on Facebook! Oh, the private pictures of mine you could view.

But seriously, biography suggestions. I wants them. Now. This Mumbai heat makes "epic" books the only kind worth sitting down and reading.

Above: Mickey Mouse, the product of a tortured, perfectionist soul, according to Neil Gabler.

The Illustrious Rhymesayers of the Ivory Towers

Smart, hard-working people make great music. Sometimes as great as any wild-haired, drug-addled artist -- not to say the two are mutually exclusive. It was true with Columbia-educated Rodgers and Hammerstein, with Yale-educated Cole Porter, and it's damn true now.

Case number one: Kinetics and One Love. Recently Cornell-graduated. Writers of such recent Billboard hits as "Airplanes" and "Strange Clouds," and composers of my personal favorite Lana Del Rey remix:

Case Number Two: Hoodie Allen. A 2010 UPenn Graduate who...not gonna lie...I was pretty damn skeptical about. But the dude has pretty much conquered the Internet, and hell if he doesn't make some catchy tunes. I'm not quite certain of the boundaries between Internet supremacy and "mainstream" supremacy anymore, but I'll just go ahead and say that this guy is as close to mainstream success as any former dorm-room rat of our generation. 

Case Number Three: Mike Posner. 2010 Duke graduate. Huge overachiever. Creator of J. Biebz' "Boyfriend," and great music in general. Innovator.

RaP GaMe TaYLoR SWiFT!

This is my kind of hip-hop...straight irony, no filler. I guess you could say the low-fi beat, melodramatic imagery and bold clash of personalities is some sort of commentary on modern young adulthood...probably...the apathetic materialism of young adulthood. But I really just like it for RiFF RAFF. Enjoy!