In an effort to further explore the myriad and "Komplicated" musical tastes of the modern "post-Black" denizens of the world, we present Spin City, which will feature recommendations from some of the world’s finest DJs, Joining resident turntablist DJ Jedi, we're proud to present the musical musings of Brutha Gimel (also known as Gimel Hooper), a double threat who not only is well known for his skills on the wheels, but also as a spoken word artist of considerable renown and one of the co-founders of LA's long-running venue Da Poetry Lounge. We now present Gimel's favorites for this week …
I dedicate this week's column the grind of independent music. What can I say? I wanna see new artists get some love for the hard work they put into their careers.Hopefully I can draw generate some buzz for them. Who knows, I could be the Dick Clark of the underground!
- "BooYow," Albe Back
I love it when independent artists with lyrics hit me off with fly music. Albe has been grinding to get his hip hop joints to the public ears for years. This song "BooYow" is a fun lil bitty laced with humor and charm. I really dig the resurfacing of the old school slang term. BooYow! Now go relieve some childhood moments.
EDITOR'S NOTE: AlBe Back's album Raphael de la Ghetto was featured in our Halloween #musicmonday column.
- "Grown Lady," Chyna Doll
She's grown. She's sassy. She's independent and she's not Beyonce. "Grown Lady" allows Chyna to profess her maturity without jocking for position against her male counterparts. She simply tell it how it is in her world. Don't get it twisted, she makes it known that she's not willing to play down to a man's need for dominance while keeping it sexy. She's a grown lady.
- "Heaven," Nate "Suave" Cameron
How many times have you wanted to let that special someone know how you felt in song but the fact that you can't sing got in your way? The next time you get the itch to serenade think of this joint "Heaven". The vocal arrangement and rhythm sections sits in the pocket while the horns will take that special person to the pedestal you intended. The video won't be out until Valentines Day so I don't have a link for you. Let's just hope you don't forget.
- "We Can Do It," Ron Patterson
I had to dig and think back for this one. I put this song on a mix cd once and it received such a good response, I had to include it in my independent musicsuggestions. You may remember the hook from the S.O.S Band's class. Ron slowed it down to a two step pace with a smooth appeal. Go head and groove to it and once you get to bouncing remember, Melz told you so. That's me, Melz. Haha.
- "Occupy," Andrea Hudson feat. Caitlin McKenzie Smith
Just so the public doesn't forget The Occupy movement, I added this Andrea Hudson to the mix. Andrea is an emcee with a knack for word play and just loves to play with coupling syllables while delivering her message. Once again, a female emcee with substance making it known that the ladies can hold it down in the booth.
Check out Brutha Gimel out tonight at Da Poetry Lounge.
Barring unforeseen challenges, Brutha Gimel's Spin City should be waiting for you, right here on Komplicated.com, every Tuesday afternoon.
[Source: Brutha Gimel]