KIDD CREDIT IS OUR NEW FAVORITE ANIMATED RAPPER

Ever since the days of MC Skat Kat, cartoons have been trying to break into the rap game. Trying to make it in a genre that--at least ostensibly--cherishes authenticity and believes realness is nearly sacrosanct is hard enough for flesh-and-bone beings, let alone rendered figments. Music historians say rap originated in the Bronx around 1970. Cartoon rap originated in the LA studio of Oliver Leiber in 1989. For a little historical perspective, here's Kat at his prime, rapping alongside a very orange Paula Abdul:

Not long after MC Skat Kat threw open the doors for cartoon rappers everywhere, several toons with established mainstream followings jumped on the bandwagon. No doubt many of you will remember Bart Simpson's early foray into hip-hop:

Bart would return to the mic years later to battle rap another cartoon MC, Alcatraaaz.

In 1996 the world met Chop Chop Master Onion, the first animated Asian rapper. Master Onion drew inspiration in equal part from the Kool G Rap and--perhaps obviously--the Wu-Tang Clan:

Today, many MCs embrace the implicit 'tooniness of their genre. Eminem made an extremely shitty South Park knock-off, for instance, and 50 Cent appeared on the Simpsons. Waka Flocka--a living cartoon if there ever was one--loves to rap alongside an animated version of his famed Fozzie Bear pendant. The encrusted Fozzie is featured heavily in the video for "Grove Street Party":

Of course, sidekicks and cartoon versions will never compete with an original animated act. That's why our new favorite cartoon rapper is Kidd Credit, of Shannon Motors' and Automaxx commercials fame.

Kidd's just getting his start, trying to make some Gouda with these commercial gigs, but he's still pouring his heart into these spots:

On this track Kidd pulls some wacky-jacky shit at the end; he's not afraid to go bold:

Ghost ride the whip:

It will take a new generation of open-minded MCs, industry insiders, and--most importantly--music listeners to embrace cartoon rappers on a mass scale. No doubt it will take a talented, influential figurehead to sway the old guard and show them the fire cartoons spit. With rhymes like these, Kidd Credit might just have what it takes: