AUDIOMUTANT: Things You Should Know About Despot

- by Señor Editor, 28 July 2015

Welcome back to AUDIOMUTANT, Trash Mutant’s highly irregular music column, that can’t really decide on a format to stick with. We’re talking about Despot today, and if you’ve never heard of the Queens rapper before, or just need to brush up a little, then you’re in luck, because these are the five ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL pieces of info that you maybe need to know. 

1. THE BASICS

I first heard of Despot (AKA Alec Reinstein) after downloading a Cryptic One record from, like, Kazaa or Soulseek, years and years ago. Pretty sure it was over a decade ago. He and Lodeck had a song together on that record, called “Cynical Bastards”, and along with Lodeck’s “Stethoscope Alley” that was my favorite shit on it. Despot was great, had everything a good rapper should have, and I was a fan.

Sometime after that, I heard other Despot tracks (including the famous “Crap Artists”), and then I heard the news that he’s been signed to Def Jux, probably the biggest and most interesting indie hip hop label at the time. I thought “Great! Looks like an album will be appearing anytime now!”

Several years later there was still no album, but rumors surfaced about Despot working on a debut album with the NYC electronica duo Ratatat. There were two songs out: a short freestyle, and the absolutely banging “Look Alive”. I like Ratatat, I like Despot, so once again I thought to myself “Great! Def Jux might be folding, and that's too bad, but at least a Despot album is just around the corner!”

Several years have passed, and while Despot has been appearing on tracks by artists like El-P, Danny Brown or Das Racist (often stealing the show completely), there were still no news about an official album, and the man’s discography was still as tiny as the ginger rapper himself.

2. THE POLO ENTHUSIAST

Whenever you see a photo of Despot, chances are he will be wearing Ralph Lauren Polo. His appreciation for the brand more than likely has roots in his association with the Lo-Lifes, a classic 80s/90s NYC gang, known for always rocking 'Lo gear. Now that you know this, doesn’t that make you wish for some sort of Thirstin Howl collabo?

Despot, in his least eccentric Polo, eating Lucky Charms cause he's a Leprechaun.

3. SOME SORT OF MACGYVERESQUE COMPUTER SCIENTIST

When he was a teenager, Despot built a computer from scratch and the New York Times wrote about it. That’s very impressive, right? Does it have any impact on his career as a rapper? Probably not, but still... pretty impressive. How many other rappers can boast that? How many computers did Drake build, from scratch? Zero. Zero computers.

4. THE OWNER OF A UNIQUE UNABOMBER COLLECTION

This is close to the top of the list, because it just makes Despot all the more endearing to me. While it’s not an interest I put on my CV, sociopaths of all kinds from the early to late 20th century have always been fascinating to me. I'll read anything I can get on this topic, from serial killers, to killers with big ideas and an "ends justify the means" mentality, like Kaczynski. Don't you dare judge me.

Despot is a lucky man, because he owns a truly great Ted Kaczynski AKA The Unabomber collection, including the man’s DIY clothes, backpack, tools, and plenty of other interesting things, made by himself while living “off the grid”. Check out this great article on his collection, on Frank151.com. Very interesting stuff.

You should really read the full article. Photo: frank151.com

5. HOUSE MADE OF BRICKS

If you’d ask me a month ago if I’m still waiting for a Despot album, I’d ask you if you’re still waiting for that Ghostbusters sequel with all the original cast. I was pretty sure I’m way over waiting for any official record from the man after all these years, but then he returns with his first ever video, for the first single from his upcoming album, and I’m all over this. 

That oddly powerful yet monotone voice is back, the lyrics are better than whatever you’re currently listening to, and it’s got that Ratatat (just E*Vax, actually) production. The video is really nice, too, featuring a Hellboy action figure next to a Buddha statue, falconry & Despot’s extremely laidback family.

“House of Bricks” will more than likely rekindle the interest of Despot fans who lost hope for an album ages ago, as well as introduce the Queens emcee to people who’ve never heard of him. Let’s just hope we won’t have to wait another 10 years for the album!

Okay, so this was a long thing that just lead to the video, but how good is this video? Is it very good? Yes, yes it is. You can agree with me in the comments section below.

Tagged: music, AUDIOMUTANT.

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