When I first heard there was a German dressing as a Klingon and rapping Eminem songs in Klingon, my first thought was, to quote Liz Lemon, “I want to go to there.”

As you can see and hear in the video below, Klenginem is no poseur. He is a full-on gangsta Klingon. It took diligence, but after I proved my toughness and honor (and promised not to reveal his actual name), he agreed to speak with me.

Monkey Goggles: What does “Star Trek” mean to you?

Klenginem: “Star Trek” is a great television show, and I like the movies. “Star Trek” gives us a positive view at the future. That’s all, no more. I just enjoy it.

MG: How did that lead you to dress as a Klingon?

K: It all began with my learning the Klingon language. I had learned some languages before, and Klingon was very interesting, because it’s different from anything you’ve ever heard. While searching for other Klingon speakers I found Germany’s largest group of Klingons, which I joined shortly after.

It’s just for fun, to live the movies, being part of it. Some people see it as an escape from reality, but I just enjoy playing the game. When we dress as Klingons, we all know that it’s only a disguise, and we are still human people underneath the mask. And when we go home, we take it off. I don’t run around as a Klingon all day.

MG: Why Eminem songs? Why not the Jonas Brothers?

K: In the first place, I did not really want to sing a song. I wanted to make a limerick or a tongue twister in Klingon, just to have a fun way using the language.

At that time, this Eminem song was on the radio. As I’ve always liked Eminem, because his way of rhyming had a good rhythm, I tried to adapt it to the Klingon text.

MG: Have you done songs by other groups?

K: I’ve adapted one German rap-song called “Die Da” because there is a Klingon word {DIDa}, which sounds the same. There is one single song which is a literal translation of the original, that’s “Insomnia” by Faithless. In Klingon it’s {jIQonglaHbe’}, “I cannot sleep.” Later on, I noticed that Klingons seem to like heavy metal music more, so I also made some of those.

MG: Eminem’s songs are know for being darkly humorous. Does that humor translate into Klingon?

K: Actually, my song is not a literal translation of what Eminem sings. That would not work with any language. What I did was a perfect fitting of the rhyming scheme. You will find out when you run the two tracks simultaneously. The number of syllables and the rhyming of them are both exactly the same. But what he sings in Klingon does make sense anyway. SuvwI’pu’qan tu’lu’be’ is a Klingon proverb, meaning “there are no old warriors.”

MG: What is the best crowd reaction you’ve had?

K: Every time when I perform at our Klingon meeting, the fans start to do the background dancers. I believe that’s a sign that they’re having fun.

MG: One of the main reasons to be in a band is to attract women. Does this work with Klingon rapping?

K: That’s what I also thought in the beginning. But all I got was a bunch of fat Klingons with long beards.

MG: If Eminem asked you up on stage to do a verse, could you do it?

K: Of course, why not? I would feel honored to be on stage with him, singing together… in Klingon!

MG: Any words of warning or advice to Klenginem wannabes?

K: You must remember that Klingon is a real language. If you want to sing in Klingon, you must know what you sing. It’s not just “ooga-booga-daga-diggi”.

MG: How do you say, “Throw your hands in the air, and wave ‘em like you just don’t care” in Klingon?

K: {DunglIjDaq ghopDu’lIj tIwoD ‘ej tIvIHmoH bISaHbe’qu’law’taHvIS}

MG: Any final thoughts?

K: It was an honor talking to you. May you endure my songs. Qapla’!

For more information on Klenginem, visit his website. He would also like to acknowledge his debt to qepHom, the organization which helped him learn Klingon and the Klingon Language Institute for their amazing resources.

- David Wahl