tUnE-yArDs is one of my favorite new artists, and now I have an excuse to write about the brilliant Merrill Garbus, who played Jimmy Fallon last week alongside the Roots.  Black Thought spits a verse on top of her song “Gangsta,” and the results sound like duet meant to be.  As a performer, she’s incredible; she builds her own drum loops and harmonies using a pedal, producing her trademark low-fi, African, indie beats.  First time I heard “Hatari,” I sensed a crossover potential similar to Kanye’s sampling of M.I.A. (“Swagga Like Us”) and Santigold (“Brooklyn We Go Hard”) a few years back.  I’m calling it now.

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