Das Racist Just Want to Be Left Alone: 'Everybody Makes Me Feel Weird'

If you're looking for a group to help lead a political revolution, don't come to Das Racist. Despite their legacy of sharp-tongued social commentary, the Brooklyn three-piece have washed their hands of political responsibility, rejecting revolutionary speeches in favour of sending out one distinct message: leave them alone.

"We don't have the power to affect any meaningful change whatsoever," member Ashok Kondabolu tells Spinner. "And even if we inspire a dozen people ... I don't know [what it would be to do] because it's not like we have some sort of ten-point agenda we repeat in every song."

"A lot of this project is also: 'Don't turn to music for your ideological views, turn to books,'" adds Himanshu Suri. "Kids just listen to underground rap and come up with their whole ideological base out of what rappers are saying -- read Howard Zinn, don't talk to me, I'm an idiot, I'll tell you that straight-up."

As shocking as their disinterest in leadership may be, their honesty remains unsurprising. Having earned a reputation for speaking their minds regardless of the consequences, the rappers have drawn criticism for their off-the-cuff live performances and unwillingness to play into the media machine.

Watch Das Racist's Video for 'Ek Shaneesh'
"If we could inspire [audiences] to do one thing, it would be to leave us alone and not make us feel weird in these interactions with people," says Suri.

"Everybody makes me feel weird. But at the same time, a lot of our music is about feeling weird around white people, or feeling weird in America, or feeling weird in the small section of Brooklyn. And it's like, if I could get people to do one thing on the basis of my music, it would be to leave me alone."

"And not in an unappreciative individual way," Kondabolu chimes in. "It's more like an attitude that we have."

"It's more like a social anxiety thing," Suri continues. "I know that every time I try to explain this I come off as an ass---- who's not appreciative of his fans, but I make this music so I don't have to talk as much. But it didn't work out like that."

We can't help but wonder how Das Racist are dealing with all the fanfare at SXSW this week -- 'cause if you want to be left alone, Austin is the last place in the world you should be right now.