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The Story of Wanz, 51-Year-Old Breakout Singer on "Thrift Shop"

122 points| f055 | 13 years ago |popdust.com | reply

47 comments

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[+] mauvehaus|13 years ago|reply
Just so I'm clear on this: The number 1 song on the US charts (EDIT: and a bunch of others, according to wikipedia) isn't on a major label, is a white guy rapping about going to the thrift store, and the hook is sung by a software test engineer?

Somebody should call Alanis Morissette and explain the concept of irony, because this is about as golden as opportunities get.

[+] f055|13 years ago|reply
A sign of times. In the end the majority will be geeks like us. But if Software Testers can be hot on Billboard, there's hope for the rest of us ;) PS. Wanz retweeted link to this HN. Universe bless the Internet.
[+] homosaur|13 years ago|reply
Here's what's even better, possibly: the song just broke into the Billboard Hip Hop charts which means this is getting played on actual rap radio.
[+] jbuzbee|13 years ago|reply
Catchy song, lots of fun - On a side note, while I was in Australia last fall they were playing Thrift Shop uncensored on the radio. We'll never hear that in the states. How about the rest of the world? Does it get uncensored air play in Europe, Asia, etc?
[+] fnordfnordfnord|13 years ago|reply
In Europe, stations play the grown-up versions of songs, and even play songs for which there is no hope of a censored version. Example: The Ballad of Chasey Lain, which received some radio play in Germany a number of years ago.
[+] coldtea|13 years ago|reply
>Does it get uncensored air play in Europe, Asia, etc?

Yes, in Europe we're mostly treated like adults.

[+] bobbles|13 years ago|reply
Likely only on the station Triple J, which does give a strong language warning before songs (but will happily play pretty much anything uncensored).

Most other stations even sensor the line 'big-ass coat'...

[+] siphor|13 years ago|reply
It's funny how content doesn't play into whether a song is censored or not... I mean this song is about shopping.. and a few 'bad' words are censored.. It's also probably one of the more innocent rap songs out there. Maybe we can drop this censoring bullshit when people realize the words aren't really the thing thats bad..
[+] nekojima|13 years ago|reply
I've heard uncensored 50 Cent & Eminem in the toy section of Japanese department stores (as well as elsewhere in the stores, but hearing in the toy section was most memorable). Many of the locals don't understand most of the lyrics, but liked the tune or beat.
[+] Jackim|13 years ago|reply
I've heard the uncensored version in Canada.
[+] localhost|13 years ago|reply
Girl Talk had a similar "dual life" experience at the start of his career where he was working as a biomedical engineer during the days in a cube farm and jetting off to Europe on the weekends to do gigs.

Here's an early interview: http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/6415-girl-talk/

[+] pclark|13 years ago|reply
Jim Eno, from Spoon, was a semiconductor chip designer up until Spoon released Gimmie Fiction. They released four albums before Gimmie Fiction and had multiple international tours.
[+] rickdale|13 years ago|reply
I just downloaded this album about a week ago after finding another story about it on HN. I was blown away. First album I have listened to on repeat over and over again since Pink Floyds Animals. Its really brilliant writing and just on point.
[+] Evbn|13 years ago|reply
> the song's quickly viral music video parodying traditional hip-hop excess.

Suddenly realized the connection between Thrift Shop and Gangnam Style.

This is a great article about a great story. Did his coworkers know his musical talent before Thrift Shop?

[+] waterlesscloud|13 years ago|reply
>> the song's quickly viral music video parodying traditional hip-hop excess.

>Suddenly realized the connection between Thrift Shop and Gangnam Style.

Hello, hit songs of the economic downturn!