Press

Brinkman gives eloquent voice to pain without committing a fallacious appeal to nature.—Scientific American

Learning to the sound of rap—MacLeans Magazine

If Bill Nye the Science Guy fell into a vat of hip-hop flavored radioactive waste, he would probably end up as Baba Brinkman.—ScienceLine

Amiable and energetic—New York Times

Feels like a mash-up of “Schoolhouse Rock” and “Sex and the City” as performed by a young Eminem... impressively delivered—New Yorker

A brilliant and bizarre new theatrical mix-tape—Theater Mania

One of the more interactive shows to be found off-Broadway—Lighting and Sound America

A number of refreshingly daring elements make this a unique theatrical experience.—Associated Press

Provoking controversy appears to be what [Baba] does best—Backstage.com

Brilliant and bewildering—Curtain Up

Brinkman's got mad flow, [and] the beats ain't bad—Music for Maniacs

Bravely tackles the subject of human sexuality... winkingly funny—Exeunt Magazine

A truly epic and rewarding listen for those with a curious and thoughtful mind.—MooSick Revoos

Hawking and rap make science hip (hop)—New Scientist

How a guy named "Baba" schooled some of the world's preeminent evolutionary biologists—Ottawa Citizen

Takes storytelling to a whole new level with highly impressive and hilarious anecdotal interpretations of classic tales.—The Find Magazine

"'The Canterbury Tales Remixed' is the kind of work that makes off-Broadway hum"—Theatre Scene

“Most rappers boast about their intellect, but few go out and actually get a master’s degree in medieval and Renaissance literature so they can spit better rhymes.” —Huffington Post

“He maintains the essence of Chaucer’s stories and storytelling itself in a fresh way, and his diction and timing capture the Middle Ages’ anachronisms and idiosyncrasies in a way that effortlessly interprets them for a modern audience.” —Backstage

“An audacious hip hop approach to some great literary classics; the show is funny and thoughtful.”—Theater Is Easy

“Not only audacious, but also astute” —Theater Mania

“In his delightful one-man show, Baba Brinkman has unlocked another intimidating masterpiece from the Ivory Tower.”—New York Times

"The NWA of DNA - Interesting, intelligent and funny hip-hop about evolutionary theory." —Scientific American

"He turns dusty old works that torture adolescents in classrooms into remarkably current and vivid stories." —Huffington Post

Warriors clash, badass thieves and thugs receive a brutal comeuppance, husbands fight a losing battle against wily wives and seducing lothiarios, villages are plagued by sinister forces of nature.—Show Business Weekly

"The hypnotic beats of [Mr. Simmonds] soundscapes provide so much more than a supporting role.”—AlltheFestivals.com

★★★★ Totally original and thought-provoking. Dope, data-filled raps that incorporate Darwin, DNA and a Dead Prez sing-along. Smart, funny and seriously meta!—Time Out New York

A total Dar-winner! As fun as it is informative...you’ll probably sing along!—New York Post

Astonishing and brilliant... with fizzing energy and spell-binding charisma!—The New York Times

★★★★ Brilliantly conceived and effervescently performed… not only is it factually correct, it’s also dazzlingly intelligent… after seeing this show, you'll never look at a hip-hop music video in the same way again!—The Scotsman, Edinburgh

★★★★ Engaging and rhythmic!...It’s hard to beat the combination of evolution and hip hop!—The New York Times – Science, June 27, 2011

★★★★ Both brainy and entertaining!...Genuine passion, curiosity & analytical skills!—The New York Times – Theatre, June 27, 2011

"Baba Brinkman is some kind of lyrical wizard, retelling the ancient stories of the world through his spell-binding rhymes." ★★★★★—Three Weeks

"You'll be blown away by how funny, compelling and profound Baba is able to make such subject matter." ★★★★—The Scotsman

"There's a great deal of humour in his narrative... you'll find yourself entertained and intellectually stretched in equal measure." ★★★★ —What’s On Stage

"Baba Brinkman has a very entertaining way of bringing the most unexpected material to life... it all seems to fit with our needs, joys and urges." ★★★★ —Broadway Baby

"His ability to relate the ancient to the contemporary, to dot his flow with modern cultural references and make it all feel like waves in the same stream, is equally impressive. Fans of Snoop Dogg and Seamus Heaney will be equally inspired."—The Stage

"Warm, funny, and fascinating throughout, all born on the ingenious rhymes and charismatic stage presence of the Canadian... a wonderful example of what a fringe show can aspire to be." ★★★★★ —Chortle

"This is real public service broadcasting with finesse and skill... if Baba is the lyrical predator, let us be his prey." ★★★★★ —Fresh Air Radio

"As hip-hop shout-outs go, "do we have any ovulating women in the house?" is certainly an unusual gambit. But Baba Brinkman is an unsual rapper... who spits out complex rhymes about real boffin shit." ★★★★—The Scotsman

"An entirely engaging and uniquely fulfilling experience." ★★★★ —Big On Glasgow

"The Rap Guide to Human Nature is an amazing anomaly, genuinely entertaining, education, and engaging." ★★★★—Hairline Reviews

"An extremely entertaining show that conveys more scientific and theoretical information than any other show I have seen. But it is still very funny." ★★★★ —Broadway Baby

"Infectious charm and enthusiasm... If I'd had a science professor as inspiring as this at university, I may well have ditched my liberal arts major." ★ ★ ★ ★—Whats On Stage

"Brilliantly conceived and effervescently performed…not only is it factually correct, it's also dazzlingly intelligent…after seeing this show, you'll never look at a hip-hop music video in the same way again!" ★★★★—The Scotsman

"Brinkman is an excellent performer, combining the boyish energy of a rapper with the clever wit of a comedian and the intelligence of a lecturer to create an excellent production, which could be a new and exciting art form." ★★★★—FringeReview.com

"Instantly accessible, destroying creationism through the music of The Notorious BIG, Dead Prez, Mobb Deep, and his own flows, it's an entertaining and scientifically accurate display of lyrical dexterity. Perfect for your inner science geek." ★★★★—The List

"As lyrically ingenious as it is scientifically accurate, the show caters for rap fans and biology enthuiasts alike. If life on the Fringe is indeed comparable to Darwin's survival of the fittest (as Brinkman would have us believe), then this show ought to be raking in bigger audiences each day, ultimately triumphing above its weaker competitors." ★★★★—Three Weeks

"One of the worldʼs great intelligent rappers…what Baba does is amazing - his knowledge of rap genres and styles is encyclopaedic…a flash of verbal fireworks." ★★★★ —Broadway Baby

"Baba Brinkman makes evolutionary science not only accessible but genuinely entertaining. Striking and surprising, but convincing, parallels between the theory of evolution and the theory of rap are tackled, without diluting his material or alientating his audience." ★★★★ —Big Issue Scotland

"The weirdness that is a rap show about evolutionary biology is like the weirdness that is the first appearance of a random genetic mutation. If the mutation turns out to beneficial, it should survive to the next generation; if the show turns out to be popular, Brinkman should be back with another next year." ★★★★ —British Theatre Guide

"Refreshingly original. Brinkman has a light touch and a way with words and rhythm that will appeal to rap aficionados, poetry buffs and anyone interested in science but bored stiff by text books." ★★★ —Metro

"Stimulating and intelligent...Brinkman's rhymes are sometimes Shakespearian in their beauty." ★★★ —Fest Magazine

"There aren't many hip-hoppers who use words like 'mitochondria' and 'phenotype' in their rhymes - but Brinkman wasn't just showing off for clever's sake; this was intelligent, informative and, crucially, hugely entertaining." —Chortle

"Intelligent, entertaining, and passionately performed, Brinkman is as mucha wiz at the science bit as he is at the hip-hop." —Sunday Times

"In a blinding barrage of rhymes that find the missing link between Eminem and Richard Dawkins, the Canadian rapper turns in a brilliant gig-cum-lecture that is as educational as it is novel."—Scotland on Sunday

Other Reviews: —

"Sadly reductionist, but [he] finds the courage to sin boldly"—Evangel.com (Christian website)

"An intelligent, lyrical, witty collection of performance poetry that also manages to be an accurate popular-science discussion of modern evolutionary theory and its wider implications"—TREE Journal (Trends in Evolution and Ecology)

"Hip-hop fans and scientists alike should marvel at Canadian Baba Brinkman's ability to distill Darwin's Theory through rapidfire rap routines... Highly-evolved entertainment!" ★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 —Adelaide Advertiser, Australia

"Brinkman has a sublime knack for making sense of difficult texts... His playful nature and comic timing provides a platform for laugh-out-loud comedy and a toe-tapping treat. Despite the intellectual topic, expect high entertainment."—Glam Adelaide, Australia

"The juxtaposition of hip-hop with Darwin is striking. By boldly making use of hip-hop in a most unusual but still provokative way, Brinkman harmoniously fuses art with evolution" ★ ★ ★ ★ —Time Out Magazine, Hong Kong

"With lyrics that were sometimes sly, often hilarious, and always smart and thought-provoking, Brinkman married the fast, complex, literate delivery of Eminem with the evolutionary expertise and confrontational manner of Dawkins… A mesmerizing performance, one that would probably do more to convince school children of evolution's validity than any BBC or PBS special could… Scientists, science teachers, and anyone evolution has provided with an open mind and a hint of musical rhythm should rush out to see this show if they're fortunate enough for it to make an appearance nearby." —Science Magazine

"A work of genius. Never since Charles Darwin have we had such an eloquent exposition."—Dr. Mark Pallen, Author of The Rough Guide to Evolution

★ ★ ★ ★ "Like listening to a cross between Shakespeare and Mike Skinner...a joyful experience."—The Scotsman

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "Powerfully intelligent and awe-inspiringly eloquent, Baba Brinkman and Dizraeli are the saviours of hip-hop." —Three Weeks

★ ★ ★ ★ "High-octane lyrical content...a cerebral, savvy production that explores our modern social contract with vivacity and zeal."—Fest Magazine

★ ★ ★ ★ "A sensationally accomplished and powerfully thought provoking piece."—Dubliner Magazine

★ ★ ★ ★ "Excoriating and moving and shocking and furiously beautiful to watch." —Theatre in Wales

★ ★ ★ ★ "A brilliant dramatic final coup-de-theatre...It is clear that these performers are masters of their art."—FringeReview.com

★ ★ ★ ★ "Extraordinary freestyle poetry." —The List

"A rare and inventive experiment...ingenious rhymes and brilliantly subtle delivery."—The Stage

"Thrilling rap drama."—The Guardian

"Brinkman displays a masterful grasp of rhyme and rhythm, his lyricism winding through the murky language of Chaucer and slang of hip-hop." ★ ★ ★ ★ —Fest Magazine, Edinburgh 2007

"A genius writer, performer and rapper at work." ★ ★ ★ ★—FringeReview.com, Edinbugh 2007

"Genius...staggeringly clever" ★ ★ ★ ★ ★—Three Weeks, Edinburgh 2007

"Brilliantly done, riding a wave of surging metre and inventive rhythm." ★ ★ ★ ★ ★—Melbourne Age, Melbourne 2007

"Truly awe-inspiring...a sharp script and one charismatic and versatile actor...could hold its own in both the rapping world and the theatre world. Go see." ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ —The Scotsman, Edinburgh 2004

"Brinkman - with a flow somewhere between Aesop Rock and Buck 65 - injects humour at the point where his loves of science and rap collide" ★★★★—Rave Magazine, Australia

"It's actually a great album… an inspired, groove heavy, high production values record with a wonderful lyrical touch."—MindHacks.com

"You'll be blown away by how funny, compelling and profound Baba is able to make such subject matter." ★★★★ —The Scotsman

“Turns of phrase that would make Uncle Climax proud… Brinkman is engaging as both an entertainer and an educator”—Exclaim Magazine

"I fell in love with 'Rap Guide' on the first listen through it, because it makes learning fun, memorable, and oddly hip." ★★★★★—Greg “Saganite”, Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer

"Sadly reductionist, but [he] finds the courage to sin boldly." —FirstThings.com (Christian website)

"Powerfully intelligent and awe-inspiringly eloquent, these guys are the saviours of hip-hop." ★★★★★ —Three Weeks

"A sensationally accomplished and powerfully thought-provoking piece" ★★★★ —Dubliner Magazine

“The beats on Lit-hop are often hype, fist-pumping productions… a versatile, skilled debut”—Exclaim Magazine

“Brilliantly done, riding a wave or surging metre and inventive rhyme” ★★★★★—Melbourne Age

“A genius writer, performer, and rapper at work” ★★★★—FringeReview.co.uk