David Scheid: Cabaret and hip-hop – an evening full of colorful perspectives

David Scheid: Cabaret and hip-hop – an evening full of colorful perspectives

IMST (alra).David Scheid has established himself as a true all-rounder - he is not only a cabaret artist, but also a DJ and ORF reporter, known as “Dave”. Most recently, the 41-year-old thrilled his audience at the Imst city stage with his current program “When the world was still flat”. His performance was an explosive mix of rap, music and sharp political satire that got plenty of laughs. Particularly striking was the joint appearance with the musician Yo!Zepp, who is known as the voice of the local hip-hop group “From the side of the community”.

Scheid has a unique style that allows him to switch between different art forms. The audience had the opportunity to see whether he shines as a DJ or as a cabaret artist. His show mixes musical performances with biting commentary on society and insights into his everyday life. In doing so, he has created a place for himself far away from the mainstream in the Austrian cabaret scene and thus also appeals to younger target groups.

Insights into everyday life with a wink

He accompanies the audience with a lot of self-irony through everyday absurdities and his personal experiences. His anecdotes range from funny experiences at a gas station to his experiences as a hip-hop workshop leader in Ottakring. To kick off his show, he took listeners on a journey through the history of hip-hop, explaining the most significant milestones and humorously raising questions about whether modern rap stars could ever reach the depth of pioneers like Walther von der Vogelweide.

One of Scheid's special talents is his ability to imitate different dialects, which further enriches his performance and delights the audience.

Social criticism paired with humor

The sharpness of his political satire is obvious. Scheid uses his platform to address current political issues in his appearances. He transforms politicians like Grasser, Kurz and Kickl into “gangster rappers” and uses a technique called “video scratching,” in which he rhythmically edits and combines statements from prominent personalities. This increases the satirical effect and makes the politicians part of a critical game that addresses society's problems.

Scheid succeeds in making the audience both laugh and think as he tackles fundamental social issues that are sometimes difficult to digest.

Interactive cabaret performance

A highlight was the joint performance of the song “Anna” with Yo!Zepp. The title provides a sharp analysis of the challenges of tourism in the Tyrolean mountains. A reading of “Born to Roll” by Masta Ace also brought a breath of fresh air into the performance, as Scheid breathed new life into this text with facial expressions, gestures and the deepest dialect.

The combination of cabaret and hip-hop, coupled with visual elements, created an interactive experience that involved the audience directly in the performance. The result was an evening full of applause and approval for David Scheid and his innovative concept.