Music: Brutha Gimel's Spin City for March 20, 2012 [musical recommendations from @bruthagimel]

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 …

“Live Your Life,” Yuna
I love coming across artist I’ve never heard of with fly sounds. This particular song has a pleasant sound and inspirational message which I also am drawn to. “We were meant for something bigger than this.” Yuna, I agree with the message and all in all this song make me smile. I like music that makes me smile. Don’t you?

“The Don,” Nas
(available in this week’s #musicmonday column)
Yeah buddy. Got a new joint from one of hip hop favorite lyricists, “Nasty” Nas. You know you get interested when you see his name on a track. I’m not different. This cat has been dropping hot verses and serving us with music for like 20 years. I know it doesn’t seem like that long but yeah. The beat is banking off the scale on some new millennium boom bap ish! Courtesy of Salaam Remi. Get with it!

“Backboards,” Sene feat. Blu
(available in this week’s #musicmonday column)
Once again, I’m introduced to an underground artist with a tight flow. Sene is accompanied by one of LA’s most acclaimed underground emcees in Blu. I like the way the beat builds with the violins as if a superhero is walking through the fog after a massive collision. This is street certified head nod music.

“Touch One,” Drake x Rick Ross (On-One remix)
This is one of those remixes I would play more than the original in my spare time. I like the way the instrumentation sets the tone and it’s doesn’t sound like they just mashed the lyrics over a beat. The track seems to be catered to the vocals, cadence and flow.

“Sending My Love,” Chantel
(with free download)
Here’s a remake you can feel. Chantel does her take on a Zhane hit from the 90’s. This song is sweet and it had me searching you-tube to watch the original Zhane video. It’s a remake that doesn’t vary from the original much except for the cameo rap in the bridge. I can ride with this one.

In addition to checking out Brutha Gimel out tonight at Da Poetry Lounge, here’s where else you can find this talented troubadour. Check out “Venus & Mic” a woman’s appreciation show in support of non-violence. The show is April 1st and the talent is awesome!