MC Chris and the Star Wars Bounty Hunters

Fett's Vette

MC Chris, born Christopher Brendan Ward, is a “nerdcore” rapper, and I hesitate to say he is the only one, but certainly he is one of the first. As a nerd MC Chris has gravitated towards job opportunities other musicians might not think to employ, of course I am referring to his many appearances on Cartoon Network’s, Adult Swim. MC did the voice of Hesh on “Sealab 2021” and MC Pee Pants on “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” among other voices on other shows. Both “Sealab 2021” and “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” are too strange to properly explain in passing and both characters add an additional level of complication I do not have time to properly elaborate on, needless to say MC Chris is a special sort of nerd for appearing on these shows and like many people “Sealab 2021” and “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” was my first exposure to MC’s voice, and in turn my first exposure to his music was the episode of “Sealab 2021” where the closing credits were accompanied by that song about the bounty hunter from Star Wars.

MC’s first big break was the big success of “Fett’s Vette” a rap song about the Star War’s bounty hunter Bobba Fett, who according to the song’s lyrics is bounty hunting to pay for a corvette. I am aware that a classy vehicle like a corvette can be expensive but somehow I suspect a star ship like Slave 1 just might cost more, but then again what do any of us know about the intergalactic economy of the Star Wars universe? “Fett’s Vette” appeared on MC’s first studio album “Life’s a Bitch and I’m her Pimp” which came out in 2001, it was a self produced album, half of which was composed of comedy skits, most of which contained self degrading humour.

“Fett’s Vette” became really, really popular. The Internet just ate it up. Behold:

Someone customized their alternator Autobot Tracks (who turns into a corvette) into Bobba Fett... makes sense.

And the winner for the most dedicated nerd, this guy.

As mentioned, MC Chris is a comedian of sorts and likes to have skits on his albums often including fictional conversations with his manager Mr. Chandler (at least I hope their fictional), who berets MC for making terrible albums, and, ironically, terrible skits. The popularity of “Fett’s Vette” overshadowed everything else MC did, so three albums later on his 2006 album “Dungeon Master of Ceremonies” he included a skit where his manager Mr. Chandler gives him a hard time about it. What was Mr. Chandler’s advice? MC should make more songs about Star Wars bounty hunters.

MC Chris being a slave to his own sense of humour ultimately wrote and recorded every single awful suggestion Mr. Chandler made regarding the Star Wars bounty hunters; much the way he eventually recorded the terrible song suggestion “Smackababy” that a homeless man recommended to him in a skit of the same name. In case you could not guess for yourself “Smackababy” is a song about smacking babies.

He never released cassette tapes.

In 2009 on the LPs “Part 6” volumes one through three, one at a time, “IG-88’s 57 Chevy,” “Zuckuss’ Prius” and “Dengar’s Dumptruck,” were released.

IG-88's 57 Chevy

IG-88 gets a fun animated video.

Zuckuss' Prus

Dengar's Dumptruck

Of course as per Mr. Chandler’s instructions we still need Bossk on a segway, or as he so eloquently put it, “put him on a goddamn segway already!”

So in 2010 on MC Chris’s sixth studio album “MC Chris Goes to Hell,” “Bossk on a Segway” was released, along with the final cut versions of “IG-88’s 57 Chevy” and “Dengar’s Dumptruck.”

Bossk on a Segway

IG-88's 57 Chevy (MC Chris Goes to Hell Version)

Dengar's Dumptruck (MC Chris Goes to Hell Version)

And after all that, Mr. Chandler hated it, also he’s a zombie now.

There is one more Star Wars related song by MC Chris, I mean of course there is right? “Han Solo” about the roguish space cowboy we all love. The song “Han Solo” is a parody of Jason Derulo’s “Ridin’ Solo.”

Han Solo

I should call it quits here, but in the effort of being thorough let’s talk about “Apple Tummy” and “Apple Lung.”

In 2009, MC Chris released a remix album “Apple Tummy” which contained reconstructions of some of his most popular songs, which of course had to include his most famous song “Fett’s Vette.” In this version MC’s rapping is played over top of the John Williams’ “Duel of Fates.” This version feels very appropriate, probably because “Duel of Fates” appearance on the original Star Wars trilogy.

Fett's Vette (Apple Tummy Remix)

In 2012, MC Chris released yet another remix album titled “Apple Lung.” This album was produced I believe primarily so parody songs like “Han Solo” and “I Heart Drugs” would finally have an official studio release, but it also included several of MC’s most popular songs redone with various popular samples from music history.

The “Apple Lung” version of “IG-88’s 57 Chevy” includes samples from Styx’s “Mr. Roboto,” Nine Inch Nails’ “The Perfect Drug” and “Closer,” The Prodigy’s “Firestarter” and The Eagles’ “Hotel Colifornia.”

IG-88's 57 Chevy (Apple Lung Remix)

While the “Apple Lung” version of “Fett’s Vette” includes samples from Lit’s “My Own Worst Enemy” and Sum 41’s “Fat Lip.”

Fett's Vette (Apple Lung Remix)

So that is the story of MC Chris and the Star Wars bounty hunters, because nerds and Mr. Chandler weren’t content with Bobba Fett driving a corvette.  I learned a lot from these songs, like I had no idea Dengar had a machine brain.

Until next month, keep on rocking in the free world.

- King of Braves

Because these guys needed a rap anthology.