There was a time when the New York Times speculated that African American culture had begun integrating with young, white people in urban milieus. Yes, I’m talking about “blipsters.” But by now, an arguable shift has seen a racial/cutural reverse: Pharrell’s Ice Cream waffle shoes, black fixed gear bike and BMX tricksters crowding Union Square, and Kanye West (cum Martin Louis King, Jr.) and his tastemaking blog. Young, stylistic people of both races are often taking their cues from a primarily black artist-led counter-culture.

The latest rapper to emphasize the “hip” is the T.I.-affiliated Yung L.A., a big, mohawked Southern rapper who has come up with a new, improved, and maybe post-racial term for hip: futuristic. “We Fly (Futuristic)” from his mixtape collaboration with Young Dro, Black Boy, White Boy, more or less justifies contemporary hipsterdom.

Over a gorgeous beat, mixing classical instruments with synthesized sounds, L.A. mumbles, “Welcome to the future…” before launching into the catchy chorus: “I’m so futuristic / I won’t even brush my hair / I’m so futuristic / man, which chain am I gonna wear? / I’m so futuristic / He’s so futuristic / She’s so futuristic / We’re so futuristic.”

Ah, yes: That sexily mussed haircut and those unwashed locks? The collection of expensive accessories? Those kids are not style-conscious without a cause; they’re futuristic—avant-garde, you know?

L.A. raps about post-modern drug use: “I’m so futuristic / I mix purple with the Kush.” He sings about his political disaffection: “I’m so futuristic / Mix Obama with the Bush.” Essentially, he dubs urban people (”futuristic bars / futuristic cars”), well-dressed people (”futuristic Prada bag to match my Prada shoes”), and counter-cultural sentiments “futuristic,” a term that makes unbrushed hair, in all its connotative glory, sound sort of lofty and worthwhile.

Annoying? Perhaps. But this big, post-racial team of cutting-edge kids is also the future. And I quote: we’re so futuristic. (We don’t even brush our hair.) Listen below.

Plus, a brief slideshow of Yung L.A. v. Young NYU:

 

We Fly (futuristic) Ft. J-Money – Yung LA