Stoic as fuck, with a baby face and a set of blue-collar shoulders, Ellison Renee Glenn aka Black Cracker rocks a swag aesthetic that lies somewhere between Dipset and Blackbox. A snapback Yankees cap and a chain hung against a raved-out, acid-washed jean jacket might be the most apparent juxtaposition, but it gets a lot more interesting.A black guy with a country twang and a swastika tattoo, Black Cracker was born in Alabama and raised between Germany and New Jersey. Currently living in Berlin, but based professionally out of NYC, he works as a producer/MC/writer and has collaborated with the likes of Cocorosie, Creep, Bunny Rabbit, and GrandPianoramax, among others. Also worth noting is that dude entered this realm female-bodied and is currently undergoing the physical transition to male.The past few years have been relatively silent for Cracker but that’s because he was busy laying the foundation for a hectic 2012. In the next few months he’s going to be busting down walls like the Kool-Aid Man, with a solo album and a book of original poetry.We sat down with him to talk, and he had a lot to say.VICE: Tell me about Berlin. Black Cracker: Berlin is straight. Early mornings drinking two Euro whiskey by the canal watching foxes, stepping over dead porcupines on the sidewalk. It is a broke artist paradise. Heaven for the creative/lazy. Hell on the liver and lungs. I also think it is rad 'cause ex Euro ravers with military cuts and piercings are not even double-taked. It’s a city for freaks for sure so I fuck with it.You just played a show with Creep and Grimes in London, how was that?It was rad. I played Club Motherfucker put on by the Daughters of Chaos and that it was: chaos. Think the a/c was busted so it was sweaty as all hell. Dillard and Flax (Creep) hurt shit as usual with their DJ madness but on the real Grimes was refreshing. So laid-back but not on some bullshit. She was super serious about her artistic development not just the "fashion show" element, which these days seems more of some "artist" concerns. I also recently played with Paris Suit Yourself who I think might be my favorite band right now, I think they got some serious breakthrough potential. So I've been blessed, especially considering I have not released a single song yet.How are the Euros responding to this recent wave of New World Goth?No comment. (Laughs) No, but seriously, of course they are feeling it. I am feeling it. The only thing I am not feeling is the apparent "dick riding" going on. Seems people are losing sight of trying to be original. But word, played with Light Asylum at Bergheim and they crushed as usual.How are things on the transition front?Shit is crazy, man. It’s like watching grass grow sped up and in 3-D.You moved overseas mid-transition, was that a calculated decision or coincidence?Most definitely was calculated. When you are trying to move forward surrounding yourself with the past can be a real buzz kill. Nothing worse than trying to holler and then a "friend" (usually drunk), blowing up your shit inappropriately. To be honest it’s lame as all hell, used to cause dumb amounts of anxiety. It’s surprising how some people don’t see how real and deep shit really is. It’s not a fashion statement. It’s no joke.How has it changed your dating protocol? In the words of Lil B "fuck Nikki Minaj, i'm the prettiest bitch in the game…" I am winning, man. Always have. Ain’t nothing changed. Ha ha ha.Tell me about Euro girls vs. Americans in general, and how they each fit into your specific context.Girls is girls all around the world. The same crazy, beautiful, complicated contradictions they are. But I will say this, it has taken a number of years to really adjust to the different protocols for hooking up in different countries. Some are more aggressive and direct than others, like on some seemingly barbarian shit. But me, I am a nice guy regardless. On my Wonder Years swagger. NYC girls are always the way to go though. Oh, but my biggest beef right now is the lack of women from different color spectrums in Europe. Makes rainbow chasing a bit color blind.You have a pretty high profile in certain circles. How up-front are you with unaware girls about your history and what kind of responses do you typically get?Shit, dude I am attracted to trouble in the worst way. I really like the girls that will rip my heart from my ribs and make my life miserable during breakfast the next day, and to be honest those types of ladies could care less about my "history." I look at it like this: if you want it, you want it. If you don’t, you don’t. Yeah, aint nothing special.How has the transition affected your art?On the really real. Before I have always done my thing for other people 'cause my self esteem was dumb low. Like shit in the cracks of brand new Nikes. So now I am finally at a place where I am really about me and going for mine. It’s just like growing up.You have a swastika tattooed on your arm. How come?It’s a long arse story, one that I prefer in one-on-one conversations, but simple explanation short, I grew up in Germany going to concentration camps as field trips. Then I was introduced to the symbol again in art school, but this time in the context of Egyptian art. So on one level it has to do with wanting to remind myself that regardless of what "someone" or "something" symbolizes now, that it comes from an intricate past and should be respected with such wonder. It’s a commitment to individuality and kindness and humility. Then on another level we have symbols all around that we don’t think twice about. Our flag. Our purchases.You went back to Alabama before you left for Europe, how was that? Crazy. My people are deep in the woods. Phenix City. Me and my brothers step on the back porch and shoot guns type country. But I am a total momma’s boy so I love being around her. My grandmother was fighting cancer so I really went down to see her. It’s a real change of pace from tour.How did the moniker “Black Cracker” come about? Well… I was at TJ Maxx in Alabama a few years back (LOL) and saw a hat. I did not know about the Atlanta Black Crackers Negro League baseball team before that. But then realized it was a perfect producer name for me 'cause it actually was referring to the sound of the ball hitting the bat but was clearly politically ironic.You are always hustling several projects (collaborations w/ Creep, Grand Pianoramax, solo stuff), what are you working on now and what would you like to focus more on in the future? Next is me. PERIOD. I been really sleeping on myself. First is my book of poetry and drawings published by the Bowery Poetry Club entitled 40oz Elephant. Then my debut album drops April Fool's Day entitled Tears Of A Clown! It's a mixture of tracks I made over the last few years so it's got some "layers" to it (if you know what I mean). And I've also been co-producing the new Grand Pianoramax record. We are pushing the boundaries of what classical music can be. 2012 should be a 3XL white tee for me.Thumbnail and top photo by John N. Barclay
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement