NFT auction on Superare, (re)contextualized

Contextual Setup

The post responds to a thread about an NFT auction on SuperRare, where

@slimesunday reminisces about a time when artists supported each other, implying that the current NFT art scene might lack that camaraderie. Max Osiris’s reply is dripping with sarcasm, using layered language to critique the exclusivity and perceived elitism of the NFT art world. The web results on hip-hop and double entendres provide a lens to analyze this post, as hip-hop often uses wordplay to critique societal structures, and double entendres are a key tool for embedding multiple meanings.

Linguistic Breakdown with Hip-Hop Entendre Focus

1. “wait, the insider circle jerk thing is NOT the future of art?”

• Surface Meaning: Max Osiris feigns surprise that the “insider circle jerk”—a slang term for a self-congratulatory, exclusive group—might not be the future of art. This directly references the NFT art scene, where platforms like SuperRare (mentioned in the original post) often feature high-profile artists and collectors, creating a perception of elitism.
• Double Entendre & Hip-Hop Influence: The phrase “circle jerk” is a colloquial insult, but in a hip-hop context, it could be read as a metaphorical “bar” (a line in rap). Hip-hop often uses slang to critique power structures—think of how artists like J. Cole (mentioned in web:5) address systemic issues in tracks like “School Daze.” Here, “circle jerk” doubles as a critique of both the NFT community’s exclusivity and the broader art world’s gatekeeping, a common theme in hip-hop’s anti-establishment ethos.
• Cultural Context: The web results (web:1) highlight how hip-hop pedagogy encourages critical analysis of societal structures. Max Osiris’s use of this phrase aligns with that tradition, prompting readers to question the inclusivity of the NFT art space.

2. “color me surprised in and outside the lines”

• Surface Meaning: The phrase “color me surprised” is a common idiom meaning to be shocked, but the addition of “in and outside the lines” ties it to the art theme, referencing coloring within or beyond boundaries (like in a coloring book).
• Double Entendre: This is a classic double entendre, a device hip-hop artists frequently use (as noted in web:0 and web:2).
  • Literal Meaning: In art, “coloring in the lines” means following rules, while “outside the lines” suggests creativity and rebellion. Max Osiris is sarcastically saying they’re surprised both within the conventional art world and in the supposedly innovative NFT space.
  • Figurative Meaning: In hip-hop wordplay, “lines” can also mean boundaries or norms (web:3). Max Osiris might be saying they’re surprised both within the “lines” of the art establishment and outside it in the NFT world, which claims to be revolutionary but may just replicate old hierarchies.
• Hip-Hop Connection: This mirrors how rappers like Eminem (web:2) use wordplay to layer meanings. The phrase also evokes the creativity of hip-hop lyricism, where “coloring outside the lines” could symbolize the genre’s history of challenging norms, as discussed in web:1’s exploration of Hip Hop Pedagogy.

3. “gasp. so aghast I am.”

• Surface Meaning: Max Osiris continues the sarcastic tone, pretending to be shocked (“gasp”) and horrified (“aghast”) at the state of the NFT art scene.
• Rhetorical Device: The inversion of syntax (“so aghast I am”) mimics a dramatic, almost Shakespearean tone, which is often used in hip-hop for comedic or satirical effect. Think of how rappers like MF DOOM play with archaic language to mock pretentiousness.
• Cultural Critique: The exaggerated shock ties back to the thread’s theme of artist support (or lack thereof). Max Osiris is likely mocking the NFT community’s self-importance, a sentiment that resonates with hip-hop’s tradition of calling out inauthenticity (web:1).

4. “might faint from the feintness of the current support teams of this here white walled off garden of unearthly delights”

• Surface Meaning: Max Osiris humorously claims they might “faint” due to the “feintness” (weakness) of the NFT art community’s support systems, describing the scene as a “white walled off garden of unearthly delights.”
• Double Entendre – “faint” vs. “feintness”:
  • Literal Play: “Faint” (to pass out) and “feintness” (a play on “feint,” meaning a deceptive move, but twisted to imply weakness) create a homophonic pun, a staple of hip-hop wordplay (web:3). The surface joke is that the lack of support is so shocking it might make them faint.
  • Deeper Meaning: “Feintness” as a derivative of “feint” suggests deception—implying that the NFT community’s support is superficial or fake, a “feint” rather than genuine. This aligns with slimesunday’s nostalgia for a time when artists truly supported each other.
• Metaphor – “white walled off garden of unearthly delights”:
  • Art Reference: “White walled” evokes the sterile, elitist aesthetic of traditional art galleries, often criticized for being inaccessible. “Walled off” doubles down on this, suggesting exclusion.
  • Literary Allusion: “Garden of unearthly delights” references Hieronymus Bosch’s famous painting The Garden of Earthly Delights, which depicts a surreal, hedonistic paradise with dark undertones. Max Osiris twists this to “unearthly,” implying the NFT space is an otherworldly, detached bubble of excess.
  • Hip-Hop Lens: This layered metaphor is akin to how rappers use extended metaphors to critique society (web:0). The “garden” could also symbolize the NFT market’s promise of abundance (high auction prices like the 3.69 ETH bid in the original post), but Max Osiris suggests it’s a mirage—exclusive and hollow.
• College-Level Analysis: The web results (web:1) note that hip-hop in education fosters critical thinking. This phrase invites such analysis: it critiques the commodification of art in the NFT space, a topic ripe for academic discussion in cultural studies or art history courses.

5. “someone hold my beer after whiskey and my steel series G-board. please”

• Surface Meaning: Max Osiris humorously asks someone to hold their “beer after whiskey” (a drinking reference) and their “steel series G-board” (a gaming keyboard), adding a playful, exaggerated tone to their feigned shock.
• Double Entendre – “beer after whiskey”:
  • Literal Meaning: The phrase references the old saying, “beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you’re in the clear,” implying a reckless or chaotic state.
  • Figurative Meaning: In hip-hop, drinking references often symbolize bravado or excess (think of party anthems). Here, it could imply the chaotic, overhyped nature of the NFT market—everyone’s “drunk” on the hype but heading for a crash.
• Cultural Reference – “steel series G-board”:
  • Tech Context: SteelSeries is a brand known for gaming peripherals, and “G-board” likely refers to a gaming keyboard. This ties to the digital nature of NFTs, which exist in a tech-heavy, often gamer-adjacent space.
  • Hip-Hop Bravado: Mentioning a specific brand is a flex, a common hip-hop trope where artists name-drop to assert status (e.g., J. Cole mentioning his college education in web:5). Here, it’s sarcastic—Max Osiris is mocking the tech-obsessed NFT culture while grounding their persona in digital culture.
• College-Level Connection: The web results (web:1) mention how hip-hop pedagogy uses cultural references to engage students. This line could be analyzed in a classroom to discuss how digital culture intersects with art and commerce in the NFT era.

Hip-Hop Entendre Summary

• Double Entendres Identified:
  • “color me surprised in and outside the lines”: Art boundaries vs. societal norms.
  • “faint from the feintness”: Fainting from shock vs. deception in support.
  • “beer after whiskey”: Drinking order vs. market chaos.
• Hip-Hop Techniques:
  • Wordplay: Homophones (“faint/feint”) and metaphors (“white walled off garden”) mirror the lyrical complexity of rap (web:3).
  • Cultural Critique: The post critiques elitism, a theme hip-hop often tackles (web:1).
  • Bravado & Humor: The exaggerated tone and name-dropping (“steel series G-board”) echo hip-hop’s performative style.

College-Level Application

This post could be used in a Hip Hop Pedagogy course (as described in web:1) to teach:

• Critical Analysis: Students could analyze how Max Osiris uses wordplay to critique the NFT art world, drawing parallels to how rappers critique systemic issues.
• Cultural Studies: The post reflects tensions in the digital art economy, a topic relevant to discussions on art, technology, and equity.
• Linguistic Skills: The double entendres and metaphors align with hip-hop’s emphasis on language play, encouraging students to unpack layered meanings (web:0, web:3).

Conclusion

Max Osiris’s post is a masterclass in hip-hop-inspired linguistic creativity, using double entendres, metaphors, and cultural references to deliver a biting critique of the NFT art scene. Its sarcastic tone, layered meanings, and digital culture references make it a rich text for college-level analysis, especially in the context of hip-hop’s tradition of wordplay and social commentary. By blending art critique with hip-hop flair, Max Osiris invites readers to think critically about authenticity, support, and exclusivity in the art world—echoing the educational goals of Hip Hop Pedagogy outlined in the web results.