M.I.A. - Jimmy (Nez) at Shots Ring Out

Summer is closing in on it’s final gasps of life and before everyone goes back to the grind with school and what not we thought we’d add another fond memory for you all to remember the summer of ‘007 by. Today’s dance track recommendation comes in the form of M.I.A. and really, what is a bangin’ dance party without a lil bit of M.I.A. coursing through the crowd? I’m always skeptical when it comes to her album artwork but once I finish with my pesky epileptic seizures I’m pleasantly surprised with some sweet sweet musical candy as a reward for stayin’ alive.

Her newest jam however, is something of the past. Everything old is new again. Taken and inspired by 1982’s Disco Dancer straight outta Bollywood, M.I.A. snagged the cult classic, updated it, broke out some lyrical heat, and straight up smoked that shit. But like my man LeVar Burton used to say, ‘you don’t have to take MY word for it.‘

Of course, the track is but one of the many gifts I come bearing today. As is the sometime beauty of YouTube, I’ve got a nice little clip of “Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Aaja”, the original song, ready and willing to be watched in all of its chewy 80’s horror in order for y’all to really see what M.I.A did with the song (or as our teachers would say, “To compare and contrast.”).

And what kind of a friend would I be if I didn’t supply my peeps with her gorgeous shot for the song by newcomer NEZ of the classy Colonel Blimp. Its a clean shot with all the expected Indian cliche’s (Exotic dress, synchronized hand kaleidescope action, outer space background) yet the work still reeks of M.I.A.’s colorful style.¹ It really could have been a static piece if it were only the traditional Indian setups, however, in between cuts, we see Ms. Arulpragasam in a jumpsuit, and in a hoodie (with sunglasses to rival Kanye’s) which breaks the potential monotony and hits the refresh button on our visual tastebuds, like ginger at a sushi bar. Download all that you can, while you can, cause the sun is setting on summer and its time for one last party, don’t forget your M.I.A.!