Comedians Produce World’s First Rap Video about Toyota Prius

Published May 27, 2009

Are hybrid cars shedding their nerdy image, and moving into the automotive and cultural mainstream? If the comic writers and producers at The Casual Mafia have anything to do with it, the answer is yes. The LA-based entertainment production company has produced a rap song and music video called, “In My Prius.”

In an interview with HybridCars.com, Steve Lutsk, an actor in the company, said, “Hip-Hop music is flooded with lyrics about Escalades, Hummers and Benzes. We thought it would be funny to have a song about a car that many would consider to be polar opposite, the Toyota Prius.” He added that three Casual Mafia members drive Priuses.

The Casual Mafia’s tag line is “Making Funny Sexy,” and with the Prius rap video, they play with the idea that hybrids can be sexy and cool. The video makes specific references to the Prius’s silent electric drive, high mpg, tax credits, carpool lane stickers, dashboard navigation system, free parking perks, and saving money at the pumps. “Gas is approaching three bucks a gallon again,” said Lutsk. “We need our MPGs.”

The Prius rap video also carries an environmental message. The video opens with the declaration, “Listen up boys and girls. We’re about to green.” But perhaps the folks at Casual Mafia also had self-interest in mind. “I just hope it’s not too little too late, “ said Lutsk. “I don't want what happened in the movie ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ to happen in real life and have to save people from tidal waves and hide in flooded skyscrapers.”

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