May 11–18, 2000

20 questions

MC Paul Barman

While most hip-hop approaches life from a sex ’n’ status POV, the furiously frenetic MC Paul Barman approaches the microphone with a giddy, high-pitched wince, lit-heavy lyricism and truly dope rhyming skills. On his now-rare 1998 single "Postgraduate Work" and debut EP It’s Very Stimulating (WordSound), the spazzing MC falls somewhere between the loopiness of Biz Markie and the collegiate crankiness of Donald Fagen. The Ridgewood, NJ, native made Stimulating (with the help of Prince Paul) an art project, with references to Venn diagrams, Susan Faludi’s booty, a "sightsee with Mike Leigh" and making girls "Cy like Twombly." Yet Barman’s best when addressing unbridled sexuality, even if the sex is embarrassing, as on "The Joy of Your World," where he unwraps a gold-coin condom to find it is actually "chocolate Hanukkah gelt." I caught up to Barman in Tallahassee, FL, where he was "bird watching."

You seem very enthusiastic about spontaneity. Is that the way It’s Very Stimulating came about?

Definitely. I just wrote a song off the hook called "Old Paul." It’s about me looking back on my life as an old man. The chorus goes "Old Paul/ Gave rap a cold call/ the Caucasoid has the whole block annoyed/ but writing rhymes is like fighting crimes/ talk to Freud/ it’s a big deal with gold balls/ to smile with terror/ at trial and error." Is that a word? "Caucasoid"? It is a word, dude.

Wait. Are you saying "Cockazoid"? Some sort of pubic trapezoid? I thought you made that up.

No. Maybe I’m not saying it right. Do you have a Philly accent? I keep reading about it in reference to Beanie Sigel. But I’ve never heard it in his rap.

Maybe it’s different for Caucasoids. [much laughter from Barman] Let’s talk about your reference points. You reference three heroes of mine: Krzysztof Kieslowski, Wallace Shawn and Chuck Close. Are these artists genuinely close to your heart?

Genuinely, they are.… Not only do I love Chuck Close, but I do my own painting work that’s, well, it’s like I say on "The Joy of Your World": "I make paintings based on grids just like Chuck Close." I’m not being coy. It’s irritatingly referentially shitbox. And I know that’s funny.

Do you know who is getting the most from this record?

As far as I know the people getting it are like me in high school. That’s what I aimed for. Not in a marketing sense. But people who are like a 16-year-old Paul — really, really bored with their environment, rebellious inclinations toward authority, anxious about the future as it was predicted, a desire to jump on your pretty friends.

Throughout Stimulating there is a sense that you — or whoever the protagonist is — are still unhappy with your sex life.

That’s the moment where I wish my name was something like Method Man instead of MC Paul Barman. The name is supposed to be funny and original and walk the fine line between creative persona and straight-up all me. Do you know how many people out there have terrible sex all the time?… It happens so much more than slow, charming lovemaking in my opinion. People don’t know anything about sex. Men in particular are painfully ignorant. Women are too. I’ve just talked more explicitly about men’s foibles. No matter what you say, you sound contemptuous. I don’t want to hear old ladies bitch against airbrushed nudie photos. I don’t want to hear men complain about bruises or stretch marks turning them off. I knew this guy who complained about his girlfriend’s lumpy nipples. I said, "Son, those are oil ducts. They slime up her nipples when she gets excited. You should thank God they’re there."

On "Salvation Barmy" and "MTV Get Off the Air" you balance between absolute sensitivity and absolute misogyny.

I am very in touch with the most insane parts of my brain. And I think they’re awesome to share.

MC Paul Barman’s show at 4040 has been postponed. Check www.r5productions.com for updates. He will perform Mon., June 5, with Del tha Funkee Homosapien and Blackalicious at TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011.