THE KARATE RAP
"Ich, ni, san, shi. Come on, everybody. Train karate."
Let's work together!
It was 1986 and rap music was just making its debut on the airwaves, David and Holly Seeger came up with the idea of creating "The Karate Rap." While idling on the L.I.E. in rush hour, they passed the time coming up with lyrics with a Martial Arts theme. “Sensei Dave” had always had a reputation for putting the “Show” in Shorin-Ryu Karate and this would be no exception!
Their plans also included the making of a music video. During post-production of a project for the Broadway show, CATS, some of the cast members agreed to participate and so it was that The Karate Rap music video was created, featuring the fabulous choreography of Michael Scott Gregory, (Mistoffelees), the accomplished performances of 7 other professional dancers from that production, as well as a myriad of cameo appearances by friends, family and business associates.
The music video was completed soon after the birth of Max, their first child. Although it wasn't exactly a top 10 hit, the good news was, as a demo reel, The Karate Rap paved the way to David’s successful directing career. At the time, it was explained to us that ‘rap’ was looked down upon as a passing fad. Our music video never went anywhere but the shelf in the TV room in VHS format, viewed for entertainment by the four kids and their friends, until one weekend in January of 2012, when they posted it on Sam Seeger’s youtube channel, ‘samfromglove.’ Check it out!
YOUTUBE AND BLOG COMMENTS
September 06, 2016
This is just too good! ;) Sensei Dave from the Karate Rap lays down some serious knowledge!
Thank you for this Super Deluxe!!!
November 14, 2015
Husband and wife duo David and Holly Whitstock Seeger wrote and produced “The Karate Rap” in 1986. Rap had not yet become a cultural phenomenon, and the pair trained in martial arts, so they combined their interests into a singularly unique work.
In 1994 the pair also produced the feature length karate film “Sister Sensei.”
October 4, 2014
Arguably the Greatest Martial Arts Rap Song of all time!
Before the Machida era, back when MTV showed music videos and Saturday-morning cartoons were still on local television channels, there was the 1980s. It was a simpler time, and one that we here at MMA Hot Sauce will forever remember as the decade that spawned our editor, Erik Fontanez. Good times.
The 80s also spawned this absolute gem of a video wherein a karate instructor horribly raps about his beloved martial art.
March 26, 2014
Oh, now this is a gem. As a child of the '80's, it's like going home again. A tacky home that's still decorated in pink and turquoise and Nagel prints, but still, home.
When I think of the martial arts, and Karate in particular, I think of:
-
Rap music
-
Electric blue spandex
-
Wearing your black belt with your bath towel
-
Keytars and Solid Gold Dancers
Thus, I give you, the Karate Rap. You really must watch the entire thing.
May 31, 2012
Well, intrepid commenter Ace Rimmer doubled down on the amazeballs with a music video entitled, “The Karate Rap.” Apparently this holy-sh*ttingly incredible video has already made the rounds for the past few months, but I hadn’t seen it until today, and you get the point – it’s awesome. Created by David Seeger and his wife, Holly Whitsock Seeger, “The Karate Rap” is a reminder that the Mayan calendar should have ended in 1987.
Feb. 6, 2012
"Well, I've trained karate around the world. I'm known all over as karate girl. I'm witty, I'm pretty, I've got the female smarts, so listen to our rap about the martial arts." Guys, is Christina Rossetti writing raps now? Because that was f****** poetry.”
February 6, 2012
Here is a “music” video from the 80s wherein white people “rap” about karate. ’m pretty sure this isn’t a joke. This is probably the greatest thing ever."
Feb. 6, 2012
How do you motivate the youth to get off the sofa and learn martial arts? According to this 80's music video, it's all about rap music. Yeah.
Feb 5, 2012
We, the worldly hunter-gatherers at TA, don’t care when this karate moves vid was made; we also thought Napoleon Dynamite was a period piece. It’s a perfect way to start the day. (Thanks Ivan!)
