Bob Marley, Rita, Featured In US Adult Cartoon

Chad Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Chance The Rapper and recording artiste Erykah Badu recently made guest appearances on Adult Swim’s animated television series, Black Dynamite, voicing reggae legend Bob Marley and his wife Rita, respectively.

The two appeared in Episode Four of Season Two of the programme which aired last Sunday, and is titled ‘How Honeybee Got her Groove Back’.

Black Dynamite, a suggestive adult cartoon series, is based on the 2009 film of the same name. The plot of the film centres on former CIA agent Black Dynamite, who seeks to avenge his brother’s death while trying to rid the streets of a drug that is bent on ravaging the community.

It stars Michael Jai White as the titular hero along with Arsenio Hall, Salli Richardson, Tommy Davidson and Kevin Chapman.

LATE-NIGHT SHOW

The animated incarnation of the show, which premiered on July 15, 2012 on Cartoon Network’s late-night Adult Swim programming block, is mainly a parody of and tribute to the film genre blaxploitation, which emerged in the United States during the 1970s.

The series continues with the story of a hero along with his comrades, as they engage in dangerous and sometimes over-the-top misadventures involving a number of celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Mr T, Elvis Presley and Black Dynamite’s nemesis, the 37th president of the United States, Richard Nixon.

In the episode, which is also titled ‘Sexodous’, Honeybee, one of Black Dynamite’s friends, along with other prostitutes of the ‘Whorephanage’, are getting an annual check-up. Honeybee is told that her ‘stable’ is worn out and as such, a trip to Jamaica is prescribed.

TOLD TO LOOSEN UP

While on the island, her friends tell her to loosen up and have some fun, to put things mildly. On a stroll along the beach, she runs into Bob Marley, voiced by Chance the Rapper, who performs a lacklustre voiceover of the iconic reggae legend. Honeybee is hesitant at first, but cannot help but fall in love with Bob Marley and his bong.

Marley takes her to meet his family. However, Honeybee is caught up in a love square with Rita, Bob’s main squeeze, and Cindy, his other lover, who it is later discovered, is among a few people, including one from the Jamaica Labour Party and the other from the People’s National Party, who want him dead.

The voice talents for Cindy and Rita were also lacklustre. However, this did not take away from the show’s comedic proportions.