RZA came up with the ingredients for a new ice cream truck jingle that has not been marred by a racist past.
The mastermind of Wu-Tang Clan teamed up with Good Humor, the century-old ice cream company that brought us the original ice cream truck, strawberry shortcake bar, chocolate-coated ice cream on a stick and more goodies, for a musical treat with a stair flare on it . The company chose to ring in its centenary this year with a different sound, one that will ensure “ice fragments in the country continue to spread joy to everyone for the next 100 years,” according to the website Good Humor.
“We’re finding out it has racist roots,” the rapper-producer said in a video explaining the story behind the re-instrumentalized ice truck. “We wanted to create a melody that encompasses all communities, that’s good for every driver, every child. And I’m proud to say for the first time in a long time, a new ice truck jingle will be made available for trucks “All over the land and eternity. That means forever, do you know what I mean? Like Wu-Tang forever?”
The all-recognizable ice truck jingle, “Turkey in the Straw,” became famous at American minstrel shows in the 1800s where artists wore blackface, and later renditions of the melody developed offensive, racist lyrics. Given its problematic roots in light of Black Lives Matter’s current movement, Good Humor called on all freezers nationwide to stop playing immediately and start playing RZA, which comes at no cost to them. Good Humor also promises to teach you how to replace the tunes in the standard music cabinets of trucks.
Enjoy RZA’s new ice truck jingle and its accompanying explorer below.
