Cut Chemist at Amoeba Music in Hollywood, Tuesday 7/11, 7:00

Free. Link

Click here for sample music clips. (Amazon)

I had no idea how entertwined bossa nova and hip hop had become until I went to the Sergio Mendes show at the Bowl in June. Fully two-thirds of the show was dedicated to hip hop, including performances by Q-Tip and Marcelo D2. Who knew?

Speaking of which, DJ Cut Chemist's pre-release song "The Garden" is based on Gilberto's "Berimbau." His new album comes out on Tuesday, so you'll sort of be attending the release party. But for me, I still can't get used to the idea of DJs putting out their own CDs.

Cut Chemist was previously with Ozomatli, and just left Jurassic 5.