This guy’s hip-hop synopsis of a Mozart opera is going viral – and we can see why
15 August 2019, 17:30 | Updated: 16 August 2019, 08:42
Babatunde Akinboboye (AKA ‘the hip-hopera guy’), has done a modern musical dive into Mozart’s ‘Così fan tutte’, and it’s more perfect than you could possibly imagine.
Babatunde Akinboboye is a legit incredible opera singer. He’s performed with the LA Opera, Opera San José and Opera Santa Barbara, and played some of the biggest baritone roles including Guglielmo in Così fan Tutte, Aeneas in Dido and Aeneas and Bartolo in Le Nozze di Figaro.
And now, Babatunde is expanding his skillset to include hip-hop synopses of classical opera. His video analysis of Così fan tutte, which he posted to Facebook on Wednesday, has over 40,000 views and has already been shared nearly 1,000 times.
“So some of you have never been to the opera before,” Babatunde begins. “Don’t even trip, I got you.”
After shading Mozart’s 1790 opera for not being “21st-century ready” (fair), he explains that the opera is “about women... and it translates to ‘Man, that’s just how they do’”.
“Opening scene, we’ve got these two dudes called Guglielmo and Ferraro. And they’re in there just bragging about how faithful their women are. I mean, it’s a weird flex, but OK.”
Watch the full video above – then check out the time he perfectly mixed Rossini’s ‘Figaro’ aria with Kendrick Lamar.
Earlier this year, Babatunde released his debut EP, Della Città. Have a listen on Spotify – and check out his website for all things merch and mailing.
