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| The Wu-Tang Clan of 80's toys |
Hey folks, I was watching Transformers (Generation 1, the original & only one I watch) & it's pretty interesting when you examine the antagonists of the series The Deceptions. They are the original warrior cast of the Transformer race, they had fought their creators The Quintessons. It's funny though because the hierarchy of The Decepticons works like a rap group. Think about it, all of the greatest rap groups have similar dynamic of The Decepticons. There's a bit of dysfunction, everyone has a particular skill, they are set on one or more specific goals, & each member eventually wants to be the leader or lead their own movement. So let's examine particular characters that exhibit this element & what their purpose would be in a rap group dynamic. Check it out:
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| Megatron in Full B-boy Stance. |
Megatron: The leader of the Decepticons, Most brutal of all, not only he transforms into a weapon a pistol. Most of his body is outfitted with weapons, even an anti-matter cannon. His role in a rap group would be frontman. Megatron reminds me of a combination of Chuck D., Run (Run-D.M.C.), 50 Cent, & Busta Rhymes. He hates to be challenged, but shines brightest when put to test. Speaks the loudest & leads by example. He sees the potential in others. Most will try to prove their worth to him due to his status. How many times did folks rhyme in front of the Notorious B.I.G.? B.I.G.'s leadership is what made us pay attention to Junior M.A.F.I.A. & after he passed, they fell apart. Proper leadership keeps a crew together for real.
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| Starscream, always on the come-up. |
Starscream: Starscream was the aerial leader of the Decepticons. His skill is unmatched in flying & air attacks. However he's always been jealous of Megatron's leadership & desires to rule the Decepticons himself. The funny thing is Megatron knows Starscream's desire yet allows him to serve, why because he's good at what he does. Worrying about him trying to get takeover is a secondary thought. So what role does Starscream play in a rap group? Hype man of course. Always the first on stage & throws the crowd into a frenzy. First to the stage & loves the limelight, but feels he's taken for granted at times. Imagine if you will Public Enemy's Flavor Flav energy, the bravado of Willie D. (Geto Boys) & the crazy antics of Lil Twist. Looking for his own come-up but falls short. Even is bold enough to challenge the leader but doesn't have the fortitude. Second banana life for this one, he does get to share in the spoils.
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| Soundwave, He speaks with his hands & tapes. |
Soundwave: The most trusted by Megatron of his entire legion. A robot of few words, he handled communications & could see on all wavelengths from Infrared to radio waves. He knows his cues & where he's needed at all times. So his role would appropriately be The DJ. Always ready at a moments notice The Decepticon DJ is ready to rock. The irony is that he transforms into a cassette deck (Generation 1 version) with tapes that transform into other robots. Soundwave is probably the most dangerous to Megatron because he has his own talent to live on & his own following. However Megatron depends on Soundwave in rare moments of weakness. Particularly when he was gravely injured in Transformers: The Movie, Soundwave stayed by his side until circumstances permitted him not to. Soundwave is equivalent to DJ Premier, Jam Master Jay (RIP) & Terminator X combined, clutch in his skills.
Now the rest of the Decepticons play other various rap crew roles such as gophers, security, & the wild entourage. Here are my picks
There are two crews that represents the Decepticons as a wild entourage that tears up hotel rooms & backstage green rooms, The first are the Predacons. They were just wild in more ways than one. They even had their own base just because they was too wild. They merged to form Predaking. These would be the guys running through after show groupies. Picture them as the M.O.P. of the Decepticons
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| Preadacons aka Allen Iverson's crew from VA. |
The second crew are the Insecticons. Just some dirty dusty dudes who show loyalty to the cause but you can't have them everywhere. They lay siege to everything, think of them as DJ Clue's Desert Storm crew that was running wild in the documentary movie Backstage
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| Insecticons aka The Dirty Bastards |
Their has to be a mastermind that helps the crew come together. As with Run-D.M.C. had Russell Simmons, Public Enemy had The Bomb Squad the Decepticons have a secret genius that doesn't seek fame but people know his name, Shockwave.
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| Shockwave, Quiet Genius & part madman |
Shockwave was the mad genius of the Decepticons. Not only he created several members of the Decepticons he would also enhance them. He was the one who experimented and created the Triple Changers Blitzwing & Astrotrain. That sounds like a hip-hop producer to me. I guess he's part Madlib & MF Doom of the Decepticons. He never lusted for power like Starscream but his cannon rivaled Megatron's.
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| The Constructicons aka America's Best Dance Crew |
Wrapping up my last entry here is one my favorites The Constructicons aka the dancers. They were always in-tune with each other, When it was time to merge to form Devastator it was a coordinated effort. Who's more coordinated than a dance crew. They like to show out & make a spectacle so it's only right. I guess they are the Jabawockees of the crew.
So yes the Decepticons are a rap group in a lot of ways. So many characters represent different roles in hip--hop. I'm guessing that's why so many hip-hop youth identify with these characters, especially from the Generation 1. All the Decepticons wanted was their piece of the "energon pie" & have fun. Unfortunately they didn't have a better outlet for sharing.
