I remember seeing Mos Def play this on “Letterman,” and immediately bought the single. I love the way the way everything is so laid back and restrained, but there’s also this underlying tension that permeates the whole song.
And of course, the timpani. From the Ronettes to Pizzicato Five, I love my pop music with a big side dish of kettle drum.
The clip at the beginning is Fela Kuti, by the way.
EARNOIZE 