Music
Baba has independently recorded and released more than a dozen original hip-hop albums since his debut in 2004, executive producing and collaborating with a range of artist through his Lit Fuse Records imprint. His lyrics explore topics far outside the range of mainstream rap, including science, literature, environmentalism, technology, politics, psychology, and human behavior.
“Rhapsode” is an ancient profession, a lyrical entertainer who stitches rhymes and jokes and songs together to fit the needs of a present audience.
Released May 2023
Purchase: Bandcamp | Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Track/s
1, 5 and 14 Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12 and 13 Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
9 Produced by Tom Caruana and Mixed by Jake Palumbo
10 Produced by Tom Caruana and Mixed by Serge Henderson
Live instruments on tracks
3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14 recorded at Funkadelic Studios, NYC
Additional Vocals on tracks
1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 12 and 13 by Isaiah Dunkley
5, 8, and 14 by Aaron Ross
9 and 10 by Adam Mererstein
Keys on tracks
3, 6, 11 and 12 by Sharla Funk
2, 8 and 13 by Simon Kendall
Horn on tracks
3, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12 by Eli Asher
Guitar on tracks
3, 4, 6, 11 and 12 by Isaiah Dunkley
9 and 10 by Adam Mererstein
Violin on track
7 by Todd Reynolds
Cuts on track
10 by Corey J
-
Insulate It – Baba Brinkman Music Video
Buildings are 40% of emissions and 90% of the ones that we live in today are gonna be with us after 2050, so get them insulated!
Baba Brinkman breaks down the science and the rationally-compelling but unsexy appeal of retrofit insulation as a key factor in emission reductions to combat climate change.
Made with support from University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder County, and the City of Boulder.
Learn more about the topic:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-20/climate-change-insulation-hvac-are-construction-solutions-to-emissions
Learn more about sustainability initiatives in Boulder City and County:
https://bouldercounty.gov/environment/sustainability/
https://bouldercolorado.gov/future-climate-action
Learn more about CU Boulder "Inside the Greenhouse"
https://insidethegreenhouse.org/
Learn more about custom rap videos and book yours:
https://www.eventrap.com/
From the album "Rapsode" available now:
https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/rapsode -
I'm Human – Baba Brinkman Music Video
What's a human? Just an altered ape with a few novel traits and solutions.
Baba Brinkman unpacks some of the findings and also some of the unanswered questions in the field of "Anthropogeny" aka the Study of Human Origins.
Filmed on location in the Rising Star caves, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa, with cinematography by Lee Berger, John Hawkes, and Patrick Randolph-Quinney.
Made with support from CARTA:
https://carta.anthropogeny.org/
Learn more about custom rap videos and book yours:
https://www.eventrap.com/
From the album "Rapsode" available on all digital stores May 17 2023:
https://bababrinkman.bandcamp.com/album/rapsode -
Climate Hero – Baba Brinkman Music Video
The health co-benefits of reduced greenhouse gas pollution are win-win for individual and societal health, especially through the reduction of chronic diseases. Once you factor in these co-benefits, tackling climate change literally pays for itself.
This is great for humans and great for the planet, but not great for the "sacrifice and pain" climate hero complex. Think about it: if your actions benefit you as much or more than they benefit others, are you REALLY a hero?
Made with support from UW CHanGE:
http://globalchange.uw.edu/
Learn more about custom raps and book yours:
https://www.eventrap.com/
From the album "Rapsode" available on all digital stores May 17 2023:
https://bababrinkman.bandcamp.com/album/rapsode
Further reading:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7654632/ -
Social Contagion – Baba Brinkman Music Video
The study of network effects and social dynamics and the impact of 'viral' information on individual and group behavior is a new scientific field that cuts across marketing, journalism, the arts, digital media, and technology.
Made with support from Northwestern University and inspired by the Networks and Social Dynamics class taught by Prof Dashun Wang at the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.
Learn more about Professor Wang's research:
https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/faculty/directory/wang_dashun.aspx
Learn more about custom raps and book yours:
https://www.eventrap.com/ -
Targeted Pressure – Baba Brinkman Music Video
The nascent CDR (carbon dioxide removal) industry is innovating dozens of creative ways to capture carbon, some using biology and botany and ecology, some oceanology, some chemistry and physics and engineering and computer science.
It's an exciting race to the top with the ultimate target of scaling up until carbon removal is so cheap and plentiful that it can lower the parts per million of carbon in the earth's atmosphere and reverse global warming.
Let's put them all up on the same stage, Lollapalooza!
Made with support from Nori:
https://nori.com/
Learn more about custom raps and book yours:
https://www.eventrap.com
From the album "Rapsode" available on all digital stores May 17 2023:
https://bababrinkman.bandcamp.com/album/rapsode
Learn more about carbon removal:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide_removal -
Offsetters – Baba Brinkman Music Video
When organizations go "carbon neutral", the hardest emissions to curb are generally 'offset' with carbon removal and pollution reduction projects where cuts can be made more affordably, leading to a massive 'carbon market' trading in credits of various kinds. Can we trust it? And does it actually make net emissions go down, or is it the ultimate greenwash?
Whatever you believe about the industry, the offsetters are not backing down.
Made with support from Agendi:
https://agendi.co/
Learn more about custom rap videos and book yours:
https://www.eventrap.com/
From the album "Rapsode" available on all digital stores May 17 2023:
https://bababrinkman.bandcamp.com/album/rapsode
Further reading:
https://www.greenbiz.com/article/are-carbon-offsets-joke-response-comedian-john-oliver
BRIGHT FUTURE
Bright Future is Baba Brinkman’s 12th full-length album, a collection of songs about science and society and a blueprint for improving the human condition through greater understanding of the natural world, medicine, and technology. Each of the ten songs was commissioned by a scientist or an organization with science at its core, for the purpose of communicating an important and complex idea to the general public, making it the world’s first fully-commissioned custom rap album.
Released May 2021
Purchase: Bandcamp | Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify
“One of the better popularization efforts our field has seen in the past 25 years—more coherent than the average journalistic account and with a much better backbeat.”
–Scott Aaronson
– Physics World
credits
1. Qubits
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Additional Vocals by Jessie Davis
Scientific Consultation by Hartmut Neven
Made with support from Google Quantum AI
quantumai.google
Further Reading:
• www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/07/biggest-flipping-challenge-quantum-computing
2. Ballad of a Zombie
(D. Brinkman, A. Ross, J. Simmonds)
Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Chorus Vocals by Aaron Ross
Scientific Consultation by Athena Aktipis and Dr. Joe Alcock
Made with support from the Zombified Podcast
www.zombified.org
Further Reading:
• www.popsci.com/zombies-mind-control-and-body-snatchers-natures-horrifying-parasites/
• www.businessinsider.com/zombies-in-nature-science-2019-5
• www.buzzfeednews.com/article/mattsimonauthor/zombies-are-real-and-nature-is-terrifying
3. Bright Future
(D. Brinkman, A. Ross, J. Simmonds)
Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Chorus Vocals by Eric Meyer
Scientific Consultation by Joshua S. Goldstein and Staffan A. Qvist
Made with support from Generation Atomic
www.generationatomic.org
Further Reading:
• www.nytimes.com/2019/04/06/opinion/sunday/climate-change-nuclear-power.html
• www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2019/11/25/nuclear-power-does-slow-climate-change/?sh=50f92b5a7202
4. Cloud Feedback (feat. Skillz FJ)
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana, S. Taukave)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Guitar and Additional Percussion by Skillz FJ
Keys by Simon Kendall
Scientific Consultation by Professor Stefan Buehler
Made with Support from U of Hamburg Meteorological Institute
Further Reading:
• www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-why-low-end-climate-sensitivity-can-now-be-ruled-out
• www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/02/world-without-clouds-hardly-clear-climate-scientists-say
5. Stay Home
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Scientific Consultation by Mark J. Fitzpatrick and Carl T. Bergstrom
Further Reading:
• www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/03/how-will-coronavirus-end/608719/
• www.ft.com/content/a2901ce8-5eb7-4633-b89c-cbdf5b386938
6. Data Science
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Made with support from alteryx
www.alteryx.com
Further Reading:
• towardsdatascience.com/thoughts-on-the-two-cultures-of-statistical-modeling-72d75a9e06c2?gi=d272e2a7d7dd
• www.nature.com/articles/nmeth.4642
7. Green is Good
(D. Brinkman, A. Ross, J. Simmonds)
Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Chorus Vocals by Aaron Ross
Made with support from Forests Ontario
forestsontario.ca
8. Molten Salt
(D. Brinkman, A. Ross, J. Simmonds)
Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Additional Vocals and Guitar by Aaron Ross
Made with support from Generation Atomic and the Thorium Energy Alliance
energyfromthorium.com
Further Reading:
• www.discovermagazine.com/environment/nuclear-technology-abandoned-decades-ago-might-give-us-safer-smaller-reactors
9. Stirling Engine
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Made with support from Qnergy
www.qnergy.com
Further Reading:
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine
• www.nasa.gov/feature/glenn/2020/stirling-convertor-sets-14-year-continuous-operation-milestone
10. Counterfactual (feat. Aaron Ross)
(D. Brinkman, A. Ross, R. Sticklor)
Produced by DJ Plain View
Additional Production and Mix by Lin Gardiner
Clav and Additional Organ by Clef Seeley
Scientific Consultation by Gary Yohe
Further Reading:
• www.scientificamerican.com/article/counterfactual-experiments-are-crucial-but-easy-to-misunderstand/
Album Mastered by Mr. Simmonds
-
Stirling Engine – Baba Brinkman Music Video
The humble Stirling Engine was invented in 1816 by Scottish Engineer Sir Robert Stirling and for almost 200 years it failed to find widespread commercial applications. Now, this "little engine that could" is having a renaissance, like a slept-on rapper with an improbable path to stardom.
From the 2021 album "Bright Future", available on vinyl, CD, and digital:
https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/bright-future
Made with support from Qnergy:
https://www.qnergy.com/
Learn more about Baba Brinkman and custom rap videos:
https://www.eventrap.com/
Learn more about Stirling Engines:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine
Track Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Mr. Simmonds
Video by Anna C. Gilmore -
Cloud Feedback – Baba Brinkman Music Video
From the album "Bright Future", out now:
https://bababrinkman.bandcamp.com/album/bright-future
https://linktr.ee/bababrinkman
The wide range of possible warming scenarios found in climate models is mostly due to cloud feedback effects, which both influence global temperature and also respond to it. We just need clouds to spill their secrets.
Further Reading:
https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-why-low-end-climate-sensitivity-can-now-be-ruled-out
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/02/world-without-clouds-hardly-clear-climate-scientists-say
Track Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Chorus by Skillz FJ
Guitar and Additional Percussion by Skillz FJ
Keys by Simon Kendall
Scientific Consultation by Stefan Buehler, University of Hamburg
Caption Translations by:
German: Sabrina Harich / Stefan Buehler
Italian: Nico Cimini
Spanish: Yanmichel Morfa Avalos
Brazilian Portuguese: David Marcolino Nielsen
Korean: Doyeon Kim / Yechul Shin / Hanjun Kim
Chinese: Ge Cheng
Made with Support from
The German Research Foundation
aka The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Under Germany’s Excellence Strategy, EXC 2037
CLICCS: Climate, Climatic Change, and Society
Project Number: 390683824 -
Qubits – Baba Brinkman Music Video
Quantum computers can now perform certain kinds of tasks faster than the world's most powerful classical computers, and quantum processing power doubles with each new qubit (quantum bit) added to the system. How high can an exponential go?
Further Reading:
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/07/biggest-flipping-challenge-quantum-computing
From the album "Bright Future", out now:
https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/bright-future
Track Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Additional Vocals by Jessie Davis
Video by Anna C. Gilmore
The song "Qubits" was written and produced on commission with support from the Google Quantum AI Lab and premiered at the Google Quantum Summer Symposium 2020, along with this freestyle set:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YhjWhpq71Y
And this rap up performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AuT2dShMeA
Learn more about rap ups, custom raps, and freestyle sets:
https://www.eventrap.com/ -
Counterfactual – Baba Brinkman Music Video
From the 2021 album "Bright Future", out now:
https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/bright-future
https://linktr.ee/bababrinkman
Counterfactual studies in science predict the outcomes of different kinds of interventions at the individual and public policy level. Counterfactual beliefs lead to the worst possible outcomes.
Chorus by Aaron Ross
Track Produced by DJ Plain View
Additional Production and Mix by Lin Gardiner
Clav and Additional Organ by Clef Seeley
Video by Rob Penczak
Scientific Consultation by Dr. Gary Yohe
Further Reading:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/counterfactual-experiments-are-crucial-but-easy-to-misunderstand/ -
Molten Salt – Lyric Video
From the album "Bright Future", out now:
https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/bright-future
https://linktr.ee/bababrinkman
Molten Salt Reactors are a potentially game-changing energy and heat-generating technology, significantly safer than current Light Water Reactor nuclear power, which itself is already way safer – both for human health and climate change – than fossil fuel-generated electricity.
Cheap, safe, unlimited energy, let's make it happen!
Further Reading:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/environment/nuclear-technology-abandoned-decades-ago-might-give-us-safer-smaller-reactors
Further Reflection:
https://gotnuclear.net/
Made with support from Generation Atomic and the Thorium Energy Alliance.
https://www.generationatomic.org/ / https://thoriumenergyalliance.com/ -
Ballad of a Zombie – Baba Brinkman Music Video
From the album "Bright Future", out now:
https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/bright-future
https://linktr.ee/bababrinkman
A zombie anthem exploring the evolutionary science of parasitism, from pathogens to social media.
Further Reading:
• https://www.popsci.com/zombies-mind-control-and-body-snatchers-natures-horrifying-parasites/
• https://www.businessinsider.com/zombies-in-nature-science-2019-5
• https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/mattsimonauthor/zombies-are-real-and-nature-is-terrifying
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Music Written, Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by Mr. Simmonds
Additional Vocals by Aaron Ross
Animation by Anna C. Gilmore
Zombie Illustrations by Neil Smith
Parasite Illustrations by Noel Planet
Video Edited by Roberto De Jesus
Scientific Consultation by Athena Aktipis and Dr. Joe Alcock
Made with Support from the Zombie Apocalypse Medicine Alliance
http://www.zombiemed.org/
SEE FROM SPACE
Baba Brinkman’s latest musical odyssey into the beautiful and terrible findings of modern science: evolution, climate change, reason, and evidence. Rap songs for thinking people in an era of alternative facts (aka falsehoods). On the bright side, apes can see from space.
Released July 2019
Purchase: Bandcamp | Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify
1. See From Space (feat. Aaron Nazrul)
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana, S. Kendall, A. Ross)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Piano, Synth, and Additional Vocals by Simon Kendall
Inspired by the book “The Ape that Understood the Universe” by Steve-Stewart Williams.
www.cambridge.org/apethatunderstood
2. Confessions of a Skeptic
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Piano and Synth by Simon Kendall
Made with support from the Skeptic Society
www.skeptic.com
3. Fahrenheit 45
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Violin by Tim Fain
Made with support from the Future of Storytelling Festival
https://futureofstorytelling.org/
4. Erosion
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Chorus Vocals by Aaron Nazrul
Piano and Additional Vocals by Simon Kendall
Guitar by Tom Van Deursen
Further Reading:
www.bababrinkman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Erosion-Lyrics.pdf
5. Feelings for Reasons
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana, J. Davis)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Chorus Vocals by Jessie Davis
Piano and Synth by Simon Kendall
Flute, Clarinet, and Sax by Morgan Price
Adapted from the book “Good Reasons for Bad Feelings” by Randolph M. Nesse.
www.goodreasons.info
6. T. V. O. L. (feat. Aaron Nazrul)
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds, A. Ross)
Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Additional Piano and Hammond Organ by Simon Kendall
Bass by Owen Strain
Made with support from TVOL Magazine
thisviewoflife.com
7. Destruction
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana, B. McGuire, A. Ross)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Piano and Organ by Simon Kendall
Guitar by John Ellis
Sources:
www.bababrinkman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Destruction-Lyrics.pdf
8. Freedom Remix (feat. Matt Layzell)
(D. Brinkman, S. Kendall, L. Kidder, M. Layzell, D. Moross, J. Simmonds)
Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Original Track Produced by Soulful Spider
Strings Arranged and Recorded by Simon Kendall
Violin by Mark Ferris
Guitar by John Ellis
Further Reading:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/dec/19/bastardised-libertarianism-makes-freedom-oppression
9. Can’t Stop Remix (feat. Mariella)
(D. Brinkman, L. Gardiner, M. Gonzalez, D. Moross)
Produced and Mixed by Lin G
Original Track Produced by Soulful Spider
Cuts by Mr. Simmonds
Further reading:
• www.samharris.org/blog/item/the-marionettes-lament
• www.theguardian.com/science/2013/may/22/daniel-dennett-aristotle-flaming-idiot
10. Still Off That
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds, S. Carter, T. Mosley, J. Harmon, A. Graham)
Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Further reading:
crispian-jago.blogspot.com/2010/07/periodic-table-of-irrational-nonsense.html
11. Redemption (feat. Jessie Davis)
(D. Brinkman, J. Davis, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Piano and Synth by Simon Kendall
Sources:
bababrinkman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Redemption-Lyrics-Annotated.pdf
12. Check One Too
(D. Brinkman, L. Gardiner, J. Simmonds)
Produced by Mr. Simmonds
Co-Produced and Mixed by Lin G
Guitars by John Ellis and Tom Van Deursen
Piano and Synths by Simon Kendall
Cuts by Mr. Simmonds
13. T. V. O. L. Remix
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds, A. Ross)
Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Guitars by John Ellis
Piano and Synth by Simon Kendall
Additional Vocals by Simon Kendall
14. See From Space Remix
(D. Brinkman, P. Injeti, A. Ross, J. Simmonds)
Produced by Chin Injeti
Co-Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Original Track Produced by Tom Caruana
Chorus Vocals by Aaron Nazrul
-
Fahrenheit 45 – Baba Brinkman Music Video
From the album "See From Space", download here:
https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/see-from-space
Inspired by Ray Bradbury's classic dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451. Book-burning, social media, censorship, technology, propaganda & citizenship in the era of the 45th President.
Original song "Fahrenheit 45" commissioned by Future of Storytelling www.fost.org -
Feelings for Reasons – Baba Brinkman Music Video
The evolutionary origins of emotions and mental illness, contemplated in a time of grief and depression.
Inspired by the book "Good Reasons for Bad Feelings" by Randy Nesse. http://goodreasons.info'
Album "See From Space" available now:
Bandcamp: https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/see-from-space
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/see-from-space/1472326163
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/See-Space-Baba-Brinkman/dp/B07V3DF34W -
Redemption (feat Jessie Davis) – Baba Brinkman Music Video
New album "See From Space" available now:
Bandcamp: https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/see-from-space
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/see-from-space/1472326163
Become a Patreon supporter:
https://www.patreon.com/bababrinkman
Scientific Consultation by Dr. Gary Yohe and Dr. Michael E. Mann
Lyrics and Sources:
http://goo.gl/hFAwm5
Track Credits:
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Chorus by Jessie Davis
Video Directed by Baba Brinkman
Video Edited by Buck Bowen
Camera by Buck Bowen, Farbeon & Mimi Hayes
Music by Tom Caruana
Piano by Simon Kendall -
See From Space – Baba Brinkman Music Video
An alien rap song inspired by the book "The Ape that Understood the Universe" by Steve Stewart-Williams, now available from Cambridge University Press.
Learn more:
https://www.cambridge.org/apethatunderstood
New album "See From Space" available now:
Bandcamp: https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/see-from-space
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/see-from-space/1472326163
Support my videos on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/bababrinkman
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Music by Tom Caruana
Chorus Vocals by Aaron Nazrul
Piano, Synth, and Additional Vocals by Simon Kendall
Video Directed by Baba Brinkman
Video Edited by Buck Bowen -
Confessions of a Skeptic – Baba Brinkman Music Video
New album "See From Space" available now:
Bandcamp: https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/see-from-space
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/see-from-space/1472326163
Skepticism and the scientific method are not articles of faith, but we can profess our devotion to them with no less fervor. Confess it!
Support my videos on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/bababrinkman
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Music by Tom Caruana
Piano and Organ by Simon Kendall
Video Edited by Buck Bowen
Video Directed by Baba Brinkman
Made with support from the Skeptics Society and from patrons on Patreon. -
Destruction – Baba Brinkman Music Video
From the album "See From Space" available now:
Bandcamp: https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/see-from-space
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/see-from-space/1472326163
Lyrics and Sources:
https://goo.gl/qPW5BF
Song Credits:
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Music by Tom Caruana
Video by Nicholas Castel
Scientific Consultation by Dr. Gary Yohe
Chorus Vocals by Aaron Nazrul
Guitar by John Ellis
Piano and Organ by Simon Kendall
Original Song “Eve of Destruction” by Barry McGuire
THE RAP GUIDE TO CONSCIOUSNESS
“Peer-reviewed rap” exploration of the neuroscience of consciousness, hip-hop music at the intersection of beats, rhymes, and brain cells.
Released April 2018
Purchase: Bandcamp | iTunes | Amazon | Spotify
Baba’s brain consists of more than 80 billion neurons, none of which has any clue that he exists, and yet somehow they come together to produce a steady stream of ill rhymes, punchlines, and some of the most thought-provoking music the world has ever heard. Listen and find out how.
Scientific consultation by Anil Seth and Heather Berlin.
Bibliography:
Daniel C Dennett, From Bacteria to Bach and Back Again
Stanislas Dehaene, Consciousness and the Brain
Anil Seth, The 30 Second Brain
Christof Koch, Consciousness: Confessions of a Romantic Reductionist
Sean Carroll, The Big Picture
Susan Blackmore, Consciousness, An Introduction
released October 13, 2017
Album Produced by Tom Caruana and Soulful Spider
Executive Produced by Baba Brinkman
Musical Direction by Simon Kendall at Hammond Ave Studios
Mixed by Tom Caruana at Tea Sea Records
Mastered by Morgan Sizer at Mozu Mastering.
1. Heaven’s Gate
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Additional Production and Mix by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Further reading:
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consciousness
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven’s_Gate_(religious_group)
2. Real Recognize Real (feat. Aaron Nazrul)
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana, S. Kendall, A. Ross)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Additional Vocals by Alice Andrews
Guitar by John Ellis
Cuts by Mr. Simmonds
Further reading:
• www.ted.com/talks/dan_dennett_on_our_consciousness
• neurobanter.com/2016/02/04/tracing-the-edges-of-consciousness/
• aeon.co/essays/the-hard-problem-of-consciousness-is-a-distraction-from-the-real-one
3. Good Bayesian (feat. MC Lars and Mega Ran)
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana, R. Jarbo, A. Nielsen)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Further reading:
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayesian_probability
• www.edge.org/response-detail/27098
• www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqmJhPQYRc8
4. Zombie
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Further reading:
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophical_zombie
• pp.kpnet.fi/seirioa/cdenn/unzombie.htm
5. Dylan
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Cuts by Mr. Simmonds
Further reading:
• www.pnas.org/content/106/Supplement_1/10061.full
• www.ted.com/talks/alison_gopnik_what_do_babies_think#t-1089915
• www.newscientist.com/article/dn23401-emerging-consciousness-glimpsed-in-babies/
6. Forget Me Not (feat. Aaron Nazrul)
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross, A. Ross)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Additional Production and Mix by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Guitar by John Ellis
Further reading:
• www.uni-trier.de/fileadmin/fb1/PHI/Hoffmann_-_Dokumente/Dennett_-_Are_we_explaining_consciousness_yet.pdf
• www.edge.org/conversation/stanislas_dehaene-signatures-of-consciousness
• www.nature.com/news/2005/050620/full/news050620-7.html
7. Mary
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Further reading:
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_argument
• ase.tufts.edu/cogstud/dennett/papers/RoboMaryfinal.htm
• www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdKEy6vcCMw
8. Cephalophile (feat. Alice Andrews)
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana, A. Andrews)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Further reading:
• ideas.ted.com/want-to-know-what-aliens-will-be-like-just-look-at-an-octopus/
• www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-consciousness-universal/
• neurobanter.com/2017/04/19/evidence-for-a-higher-state-of-consciousness-sort-of/
9. Wizard of Odds (feat. Aaron Nazrul)
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana, S. Kindall, A. Ross)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Guitar by John Ellis
Further reading:
•www.ted.com/talks/anil_seth_how_your_brain_hallucinates_your_conscious_reality
• www.fil.ion.ucl.ac.uk/~karl/Whatever%20next.pdf
10. Room
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Further reading:
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_room
• ase.tufts.edu/cogstud/dennett/papers/searle.htm
11. Ready for Implants
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross, S. Kendall, A. Ross)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Additional Production and Mix by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Additional Vocals by Aaron Nazrul
Further reading:
• www.theguardian.com/science/2010/feb/03/vegetative-state-patient-communication
• waitbutwhy.com/2017/04/neuralink.html
12. Can’t Stop
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Additional Production and Mix by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Guitar by John Ellis
Cuts by Mr. Simmonds
Further reading:
• www.samharris.org/blog/item/the-marionettes-lament
• soundcloud.com/samharrisorg/free-will-revisited-a-conversation-with-daniel-dennett
• www.theguardian.com/science/2013/may/22/daniel-dennett-aristotle-flaming-idiot
13. Memes Up
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Guitar by Tom Caruana and John Ellis
Further reading:
• www.susanblackmore.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JCS03.pdf
• ase.tufts.edu/cogstud/dennett/papers/MEMEMYTH.FIN.htm
• bigthink.com/videos/daniel-dennett-memes-101
14. Still Here (feat. Tymisha Harris)
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana, T. Harris)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Further reading:
• www.brainpickings.org/2016/05/31/sean-carroll-the-big-picture/
• www.preposterousuniverse.com/poetic-naturalism/
15. N.E.R.D.
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana, S. Kendall, A. Ross)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Additional Vocals by Aaron Nazrul
Further reading:
• www.theguardian.com/science/2011/may/15/stephen-hawking-interview-there-is-no-heaven
• www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-the-ldquo-you-rdquo-in-an-afterlife-wouldnt-really-be-you/
Keyboards, organ, piano, guitar, and Aaron Nazrul vocals on all songs recorded by Simon Kendall at Hammond Ave Studios.
Album Mastered by Morgan Sizer at Mozu Mastering
-
Dylan – Baba Brinkman Music Video
The evolution of consciousness begins with the evolution of cognitive and behavioral capacities, each wired up on a "need-to-know" basis for some adaptive purpose. So what is it helpful for a newborn to know?
From the album "The Rap Guide to Consciousness"
Bandcamp: http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-consciousness
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/album/id1282574809?ls=1&app=itunes
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rap-Guide-Consciousness-Baba-Brinkman/dp/B075LPDRX8
Music produced and mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Cuts by Mr. Simmonds
Video animation by Olivia Sebesky
Further reading:
• http://www.pnas.org/content/106/Supplement_1/10061.full
• www.ted.com/talks/alison_gopnik_what_do_babies_think
• https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-do-babies-really-know/ -
Zombie – Baba Brinkman – Philosophy of Mind Rap
From the album "The Rap Guide to Consciousness"
Bandcamp: http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-consciousness
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/album/id1282574809?ls=1&app=itunes
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rap-Guide-Consciousness-Baba-Brinkman/dp/B075LPDRX8
Music produced and mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Video animation by Olivia Sebesky
Further reading:
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophical_zombie
• pp.kpnet.fi/seirioa/cdenn/unzombie.htm -
Mary – Baba Brinkman – Philosophy of Mind Rap
A deaf scientist explores the neural basis of auditory experience, specifically rap music.
From the album "The Rap Guide to Consciousness"
Bandcamp: http://music.bababrinkman.com
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/album/id1282574809
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rap-Guide-Consciousness-Baba-Brinkman/dp/B075LPDRX8
Music produced and mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Video animation by Olivia Sebesky
Additional vocals by Heather Berlin
Further reading:
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_argument
• ase.tufts.edu/cogstud/dennett/papers/RoboMaryfinal.htm
• www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdKEy6vcCMw -
Room – Baba Brinkman – Philosophy of Mind Rap
From the album "The Rap Guide to Consciousness"
Bandcamp: http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-consciousness
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/album/id1282574809?ls=1&app=itunes
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rap-Guide-Consciousness-Baba-Brinkman/dp/B075LPDRX8
Music produced and mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Video animation by Olivia Sebesky and Don Cieslik
Further reading:
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_room
• ase.tufts.edu/cogstud/dennett/papers/searle.htm
THE RAP GUIDE TO CLIMATE CHAOS
A hip-hop tour of global warming science, exploring the temperature highs and ethical lows associated with this hot-button issue.
Released September 2016
Purchase: Bandcamp | iTunes | Amazon | Spotify
“Deftly explores the science, politics, and psychology of this century’s toughest challenge, with 24 tracks that range from witty to contemplative”
–Sierra Magazine
“Takes listeners on a musical tour of the defining issue of our time, bringing much-needed color, clarity, and humor”
– Popular Science
“Actually pretty amazing”
– Alleghany Front
“Awesome! If you’re at all on the fence about climate change, this album alone should be enough to convince you”
– Fandomania
“Uses smart, satisfying rhymes to educate, question and opine over original beats”
– Huffington Post
“If the thought of putting Al Gore’s ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ into a lyrical blender with ‘Hamilton’ and sprinkling bits of Eminem’s ‘8 Mile’ over top sparks your interest, this might be the album for you”
– Geek Dad
“Apart from its chorus, the song ‘Lost in the Numbers’ pretty well summarises my view, so no complaints from me. I know it’s satire, but I’ll take what I can.”
– Matt Ridley
Released September 30, 2016
Song Credits & Further Reading:
1. Options
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross, A. Ross)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Additional Production and Mix by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Guitar by Tom Van Deursen
Additional Vocals by Aaron Nazrul
2. I.P.C.C.
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Cello by Peggy Lee
Violin by Mark Ferris
Strings arranged and recorded by Simon Kendall
Cuts by iLLspokinn
Further reading:
• www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr/
• climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
3. Keep It Positive
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Cuts by iLLspokinn
Further reading:
• genius.com/artists/De-la-soul
4. Greenhouse (feat. Aaron Nazrul)
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana, A. Ross)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Chorus vocal production by Lin Gardiner
Keys by Simon Kendall
Guitar by Tom Van Deursen
Further Reading:
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_climate_change_science
• www.skepticalscience.com/history-climate-science.html
• www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-15874560
5. Party Don’t Stop
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Cuts by iLLspokinn
Further Reading:
• www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-only-five-years-left-before-one-point-five-c-budget-is-blown
6. Run the Joules
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Cuts by iLLspokinn
Additional vocals by Linda Kidder
Further Reading:
• waitbutwhy.com/2015/06/how-tesla-will-change-your-life.html
• 4hiroshimas.com
7. Mo Carbon Mo Problems
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Cuts by iLLspokinn
Further Reading:
• twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/428414113463955457
• twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/265895292191248385
• twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/408977616926830592
8. What’s Beef (feat. Bill Nye)
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Further Reading:
• www.skepticalscience.com
• www.climatedepot.com
9. Battle Lines
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Further Reading:
• www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/10/ultimate-climate-candidate-matrix
10. Lost in the Numbers
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross, A. Ross)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Additional Production and Mix by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Clarinet by Morgan Price
Violin by Mark Ferris
Strings arranged and recorded by Simon Kendall
Additional Vocals by Aaron Nazrul
Further Reading:
• quadrant.org.au/magazine/2015/06/climate-wars-done-science/
11. Bright Side
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Cuts by iLLspokinn
12. Fossil Fuel Ballers (feat. Aaron Nazrul)
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross, A. Ross)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Additional Production and Mix by Tom Caruana
Chorus vocal production by Lin Gardiner
Keys by Simon Kendall
Guitar by Tom Van Deursen
Further Reading:
• www.rationaloptimist.com/blog/fossil-fuels-are-not-finished-not-obsolete-not-a-bad-thing/
13. Exxon Knew
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Cuts by iLLspokinn
Further Reading:
• insideclimatenews.org/content/Exxon-The-Road-Not-Taken
• graphics.latimes.com/oil-operations/
14. Laudato Si
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana, S. Kendall)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Cello by Peggy Lee
Violin by Mark Ferris
Strings arranged and recorded by Simon Kendall
Additional Vocals by Simon Kendall, Geordie Hart,
Sean Ross, and Aaron Ross, aka The Monk Brothers
Further Reading:
• laudatosi.com
15. Yank the Plug
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Cuts by iLLspokinn
Further Reading:
• www.nytimes.com/2011/09/08/opinion/going-green-but-getting-nowhere.html
16. Make It Hot
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Additional Production and Mix by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Additional vocals by Linda Kidder
Further Reading:
• www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-point-of-no-return-climate-change-nightmares-are-already-here-20150805
17. Regulators
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Additional Production and Mix by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Cuts by iLLspokinn
Further Reading:
• www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/06/paris-climate-change-summit-richard-branson
• www.nytimes.com/2016/08/21/opinion/sunday/a-rare-agreement-on-climate-rules.html
• www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/13/peabody-energy-coal-mining-climate-change-denial-funding
18. Carbon Bubble (feat. Mariella)
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana, M. Gonzales)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Horns by Morgan Price
Further Reading:
• www.nytimes.com/2014/06/22/opinion/sunday/lessons-for-climate-change-in-the-2008-recession.html
• www.nytimes.com/2016/01/19/opinion/proof-that-a-price-on-carbon-works.html
• www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/magazine/11Economy-t.html
19. Stranded Assets
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Further Reading:
• www.carbontracker.org/report/unburnable-carbon-wasted-capital-and-stranded-assets/
• www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-12-02/oil-investors-may-be-running-off-a-cliff-they-can-t-see
• https://www.carbonbrief.org/the-iea-weighs-in-on-stranded-assets-not-just-a-green-conspiracy
20. Ride Electric (feat. Fand)
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross, C. Wood)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Additional Production and Mix by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Violin by Mark Ferris
Strings arranged and recorded by Simon Kendall
Further Reading:
• www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-clean-energy-revolution-gathers-speed/
• www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/30/bill-gates-breakthrough-energy-coalition-mark-zuckerberg-facebook-microsoft-amazon
• energy.gov/articles/renewable-energy-guy-qa-tvs-bill-nye
21. This or That
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Cuts by iLLspokinn
Further Reading:
• www.wri.org/blog/2015/06/infographic-what-do-your-countrys-emissions-look
• www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2016/apr/13/can-game-theory-help-solve-the-problem-of-climate-change
22. Freedom Ain’t Free
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross, L. Kidder)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Additional Production and Mix by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Violin by Mark Ferris
Slide and electric guitar by John Ellis
Strings arranged and recorded by Simon Kendall
Additional Vocals by Linda Kidder
Further Reading:
• www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/dec/19/bastardised-libertarianism-makes-freedom-oppression
23. Stand Up
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Cuts by iLLspokinn
24. Makin’ Waves (feat. Gaia’s Eye)
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana, G. Nadler)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall
Cello by Peggy Lee
Violin by Mark Ferris
Strings arranged and recorded by Simon Kendall
Additional Vocals by Linda Kidder
Further reading:
• www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/magazine/20wwln-lede-t.html
-
Insulate It – Baba Brinkman Music Video
Buildings are 40% of emissions and 90% of the ones that we live in today are gonna be with us after 2050, so get them insulated!
Baba Brinkman breaks down the science and the rationally-compelling but unsexy appeal of retrofit insulation as a key factor in emission reductions to combat climate change.
Made with support from University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder County, and the City of Boulder.
Learn more about the topic:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-20/climate-change-insulation-hvac-are-construction-solutions-to-emissions
Learn more about sustainability initiatives in Boulder City and County:
https://bouldercounty.gov/environment/sustainability/
https://bouldercolorado.gov/future-climate-action
Learn more about CU Boulder "Inside the Greenhouse"
https://insidethegreenhouse.org/
Learn more about custom rap videos and book yours:
https://www.eventrap.com/
From the album "Rapsode" available now:
https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/rapsode -
Cloud Feedback – Baba Brinkman Music Video
From the album "Bright Future", out now:
https://bababrinkman.bandcamp.com/album/bright-future
https://linktr.ee/bababrinkman
The wide range of possible warming scenarios found in climate models is mostly due to cloud feedback effects, which both influence global temperature and also respond to it. We just need clouds to spill their secrets.
Further Reading:
https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-why-low-end-climate-sensitivity-can-now-be-ruled-out
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/02/world-without-clouds-hardly-clear-climate-scientists-say
Track Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Chorus by Skillz FJ
Guitar and Additional Percussion by Skillz FJ
Keys by Simon Kendall
Scientific Consultation by Stefan Buehler, University of Hamburg
Caption Translations by:
German: Sabrina Harich / Stefan Buehler
Italian: Nico Cimini
Spanish: Yanmichel Morfa Avalos
Brazilian Portuguese: David Marcolino Nielsen
Korean: Doyeon Kim / Yechul Shin / Hanjun Kim
Chinese: Ge Cheng
Made with Support from
The German Research Foundation
aka The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Under Germany’s Excellence Strategy, EXC 2037
CLICCS: Climate, Climatic Change, and Society
Project Number: 390683824 -
Offsetters – Baba Brinkman Music Video
When organizations go "carbon neutral", the hardest emissions to curb are generally 'offset' with carbon removal and pollution reduction projects where cuts can be made more affordably, leading to a massive 'carbon market' trading in credits of various kinds. Can we trust it? And does it actually make net emissions go down, or is it the ultimate greenwash?
Whatever you believe about the industry, the offsetters are not backing down.
Made with support from Agendi:
https://agendi.co/
Learn more about custom rap videos and book yours:
https://www.eventrap.com/
From the album "Rapsode" available on all digital stores May 17 2023:
https://bababrinkman.bandcamp.com/album/rapsode
Further reading:
https://www.greenbiz.com/article/are-carbon-offsets-joke-response-comedian-john-oliver -
Climate Hero – Baba Brinkman Music Video
The health co-benefits of reduced greenhouse gas pollution are win-win for individual and societal health, especially through the reduction of chronic diseases. Once you factor in these co-benefits, tackling climate change literally pays for itself.
This is great for humans and great for the planet, but not great for the "sacrifice and pain" climate hero complex. Think about it: if your actions benefit you as much or more than they benefit others, are you REALLY a hero?
Made with support from UW CHanGE:
http://globalchange.uw.edu/
Learn more about custom raps and book yours:
https://www.eventrap.com/
From the album "Rapsode" available on all digital stores May 17 2023:
https://bababrinkman.bandcamp.com/album/rapsode
Further reading:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7654632/ -
Targeted Pressure – Baba Brinkman Music Video
The nascent CDR (carbon dioxide removal) industry is innovating dozens of creative ways to capture carbon, some using biology and botany and ecology, some oceanology, some chemistry and physics and engineering and computer science.
It's an exciting race to the top with the ultimate target of scaling up until carbon removal is so cheap and plentiful that it can lower the parts per million of carbon in the earth's atmosphere and reverse global warming.
Let's put them all up on the same stage, Lollapalooza!
Made with support from Nori:
https://nori.com/
Learn more about custom raps and book yours:
https://www.eventrap.com
From the album "Rapsode" available on all digital stores May 17 2023:
https://bababrinkman.bandcamp.com/album/rapsode
Learn more about carbon removal:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide_removal -
Greenhouse Effect – Baba Brinkman Music Video
A hip-hop history of the past two centuries of climate science discoveries.
Download or Stream the Track
Bandcamp: https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-climate-chaos
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-rap-guide-to-climate-chaos/1144600580
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/32iFtZIcD4R4KeOxMBFjpi
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Greenhouse-feat-Aaron-Nazrul/dp/B01KXBBO32
Further Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_climate_change_science
https://www.skepticalscience.com/history-climate-science.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-15874560
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Featuring Bill Nye (filmed at NECSS 2016, New York, NY)
Music by Tom Caruana
Chorus Vocals by Aaron Ross
Keys by Simon Kendall
Guitar by Tom Van Deursen
Original Backing Video by Olivia Sebesky
Edited by Buck Bowen
THE RAP GUIDE TO RELIGION
A full-length concept hip-hop album about the evolutionary origins or religious instincts.
Released October 2015
Purchase: Bandcamp | iTunes | Amazon | Spotify
“Brinkman is able to successfully combine mind-expanding academic knowledge but with beats that make you tap your fingers on the steering wheel and earworms that can stay in your head for days.”
– Daily Beast
“Terrific and informative”
– Huffington Post
“A thought-provoking and hip exploration of some of humanity’s deepest concerns”
– This View of Life Magazine
“Major themes; big thinking”
– The Province
“Baba Brinkman is the Eminem of atheism and the Jay-Z of secularism—a rapping genius with biting wit that appeals to a whole new generation of free thinkers and humanists fed up with religion’s cultural dominance. His Rap Guide to Religion is for this decade what Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion was for the previous decade—a breakthrough work that changes peoples’ perspective.”
—Michael Shermer, Publisher of Skeptic magazine and author of “The Moral Arc”
“Rap Guide to Religion is insightful, daring, and hilarious. An unforgettable exploration of one of humanity’s most enduring and puzzling experiences.”
— Ara Norenzayan, Professor of Psychology and Author of “Big Gods”
“A lyrical masterpiece that makes you bounce your head at the same time it makes you use it.”
— Peter Boghossian, Philosopher and Author of A Manual for Creating Atheists
“Baba Brinkman gets into your mind with music, drops in new ideas based on the latest science, and leaves you with a feeling of enlightenment.”
— Jonathan Haidt, Author of “The Righteous Mind: Why good people are divided by politics and religion”
released October 23, 2015
Special thanks to the 314 Kickstarter backers who made this album possible.
Shouts out to John Teehan, Michael Blume, Stewart Guthrie, Richard Sosis, David Sloan Wilson, and Jonathan Haidt – thanks for your “peer review” input.
And thanks to Kate Smurthwaite for clarifying my thinking on the BIG QUESTIONS of religion.
Credits:
1. Invocation
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Cello by Peggy Lee
2. Religion Evolves
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Additional Keys by Simon Kendall
Co-Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Further Reading: 1. bit.ly/1EdHXxU
2. bit.ly/1KeBTpD
3. God of the Gaps (Feat. Gaiaisi)
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Chorus Vocals by Gaiaisi
Additional Keys by Simon Kendall
Additional Vocals by Linder Kidder
Mixed by Lin Gardiner
Further Reading: 1. www.religiousstudiesproject.com/podcast/religion-as-anthropomorphism-an-interview-with-stewart-guthrie/
2. www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2015/04/08/398227737/what-the-god-of-the-gaps-teaches-us-about-science
3. www.michaelshermer.com/2013/07/gods-of-the-gaps/
4. Sapiosexual
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Additional Keys by Simon Kendall
Further Reading:www.alisongopnik.com/papers_alison/Explain%20final.pdf
5. Give Thanks
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Additional Keys by Simon Kendall
Further Reading: 1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_detection
2. bit.ly/1KeBOlV
6. Bad Things Happen
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Additional Keys by Simon Kendall
Mixed by Lin Gardiner
Further Reading:www.mpmlab.org/Gray%20&%20Wegner%20(2010).%20Blaming%20God%20for%20our%20Pain.%20PSPR.pdf
7. Theory of Mind
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Additional Keys by Simon Kendall
Co-Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
www.livescience.com/20654-autism-belief-god.html
8. Byproduct to Benefit
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Additional Keys by Simon Kendall
Additional Vocals and Guitars by Tom Van Deursen
Further Reading: genealogyreligion.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Adaptationist-Byproduct-Debate-Sosis.pdf
9. Spread It
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Additional Keys by Simon Kendall
Co-produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Further reading: 1.robboyd.abcs.asu.edu/HenrichBoydRichersonHumNat08.pdf
2. www.ehbonline.org/article/S1090-5138(09)00024-5/fulltext
10. Virus of the Mind
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Additional Keys by Simon Kendall
Guitars by Tom Van Deursen
Further Reading (Pro): www.inf.fu-berlin.de/lehre/pmo/eng/Dawkins-MindViruses.pdf
Further Reading (Con):www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2010/sep/16/why-no-longer-believe-religion-virus-mind
11. Andrew Murray
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Additional Keys by Simon Kendall
Further Reading (Science): blogs.scientificamerican.com/bering-in-mind/gods-little-rabbits-religious-people-out-reproduce-secular-ones-by-a-landslide/
Further Reading (Andrew Murray):en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Murray_(minister)
12. Fertility Gods
(D. Brinkman, D. Moross)
Produced by Soulful Spider
Violin by Todd Reynolds
Mixed by Lin Gardiner
Further reading: denisdutton.com/baumeister.htm
13. Supernatural Punishment
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Additional Keys by Simon Kendall
Further Reading: 1. www.sciencemag.org/content/349/6251/918.full
2. press.princeton.edu/titles/10063.html
14. Neighborhood Atheism (Feat. Greydon Square)
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds, G. Square)
Produced and Mixed by Mr. Simmonds
Additional Keys by Simon Kendall
Guest verse by Greydon Square
Further reading: www.scientificamerican.com/article/in-atheists-we-distrust/
15. Imagine
(D. Brinkman, T. Caruana)
Produced and Mixed by Tom Caruana
Piano and Organ by Simon Kendall
String Arrangement by Simon Kendall
Cello by Peggy Lee
Violin by Mark Ferris
Further reading: www.naturalism.org/spirituality
Strings and additional keyboards on all songs except 12 recorded by Simon Kendall at Hammond Ave Studios.
Album Mastered by Mr. Simmonds
-
God of the Gaps – Baba Brinkman Music Video
The earliest evolutionary origins of religion probably lie in a highly adaptive "agency detection" bias in our brains, a tendency to see minds and intentions where there are none, just to be safe.
"The Rap Guide to Religion" full album now available:
http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-religion
God of the Gaps
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Music by Soulful Spider
Chorus Vocals by Gaiaisi
Animation by Dave Anderson
Additional Keys by Simon Kendall
Additional Vocals by Linda Kidder
Mixed by Lin Gardiner
Mastered by Mr. Simmonds
Made with support from the Institute for the Bio-Cultural Study of Religion (IBCSR)
Further reading:
1. http://www.religiousstudiesproject.com/podcast/religion-as-anthropomorphism-an-interview-with-stewart-guthrie/
2. http://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2015/04/08/398227737/what-the-god-of-the-gaps-teaches-us-about-science
3. http://www.michaelshermer.com/2013/07/gods-of-the-gaps/ -
Religion Evolves – Baba Brinkman Music Video
Evolutionary religious studies devises and tests scientific hypotheses that help to explain the origins and details of the complex behaviors we associate with faith traditions across cultures. Even if we aren't sure how exactly genes and culture come together to make happen, one thing we can be sure of is this: religion evolves.
From the album "The Rap Guide to Religion", now available:
http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-religion
Animation by Steven Fahey (full-time animator for the Simpsons)
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Music by Soulful Spider
Co-Production and Mix by Mr. Simmonds
Additional Keys by Simon Kendall
Further Reading 1:
http://www.fos.auckland.ac.nz/~quentinatkinson/Quentin_Atkinsons_Website/Home_files/SFR12_20%20Bulbulia%20et%20al_Author%20Copy.pdf
Further Reading 2:
http://courses.washington.edu/evpsych/DS%20Wilson%20-%20testing%20hypotheses%20about%20religion%20-%20Hum%20Nat%202004.pdf -
Neighborhood Atheism – Baba Brinkman ft. Greydon Square
Support my videos on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/bababrinkman
Song from the album "The Rap Guide to Religion" available now:
http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-religion
Further Reading:
• https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/in-atheists-we-distrust/
• https://evolution-institute.org/article/evolutionary-studies-of-religion-and-of-secularism-2/
THE RAP GUIDE TO MEDICINE
A sonic exploration of the ultimate origins of disease in our evolutionary past, from trade-offs between reproduction and survival to mismatches between ancient and modern environments. Cancer, diabetes, heart disease, infection, obesity, and even the aging processes in our very cells obey the logic of evolution. To better answer questions about how to cure disease, medicine must first ask Why We Get Sick.
Released March 2015
Purchase: Bandcamp | iTunes | Amazon | Spotify
released March 18, 2015
All tracks written by D. Brinkman and J. Simmonds except track 8, written by D. Brinkman and T. Caruana
All tracks produced, mixed and mastered by Mr. Simmonds, track 8 co-produced by Tom Caruana
Additional keys on tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 by Simon Kendall
Additional vocals on tracks 3 and 6 by Aaron Nazrul
Made with support from the International Society for Evolution, Medicine & Public Health, the ASU Center for Evolution and Medicine, the Perlstein Lab, and the Society for Applied Microbiology.
-
Parasite Wars – Lyric Video
Infectious diseases are the product of a co-evolutionary arms race between parasites and their hosts. From the album "The Rap Guide to Medicine".
Download and Stream the Track:
https://music.bababrinkman.com/track/parasite-wars
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/track/2ymAPVv5m0vlMWTf3CtICu?si=T9Q6hvryRKOpJm5Zd5uBrg
Further Reading:
http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150316-ten-parasites-that-control-minds
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/mammals-made-by-viruses#.VQcoAkJ3FAs -
Patients Waiting – Baba Brinkman Lyric Video
There are thousands of inherited diseases caused by mutations in key metabolic genes, of which just one is Niemann-Pick C, part of a family of lysosomal storage disorders involving lipid transfer in cells.
The CRISPR revolution is at hand, and there are many many patients waiting for it to succeed. Let's go!
Bonus track from the album The Rap Guide to Medicine:
https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-medicine
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Music by Mr. Simmonds
Video by Rob Penczak
Scientific Consultation by Ethan Perlstein
Song made with support from Perlara:
https://www.perlara.com/
Video made with support from Synthego:
https://www.synthego.com/ -
Baba Brinkman – Gene's Eye View
To understand the origins of genetic diseases, and to help treat and cure them, you have to take the gene's eye view.
From the album "The Rap Guide to Medicine" available now:
http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-medicine
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Music by Mr. Simmonds
Animation by Dave Anderson
Made with support from The Perlstein Lab -
Revenge of the Somatic – Baba Brinkman Music Video
A cancer cell rebels against the tyranny of the body, revealing the hidden evolutionary logic behind carcinogenesis.
Download and Stream:
https://music.bababrinkman.com/track/revenge-of-the-somatic-2
https://music.apple.com/us/album/revenge-of-the-somatic/979284324?i=979284825
https://open.spotify.com/track/7yIptNDl9az4joEsfP6zNi?si=B27hVlrKRrmM0dDpuBLmgA
https://www.amazon.com/Revenge-of-the-Somatic/dp/B00V3YA41W
Further reading:
https://slate.com/technology/2017/04/cancer-has-been-with-us-since-the-origins-of-multicellularity.html
https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691163840/the-cheating-cell
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/28/science/cellular-cheaters-give-rise-to-cancer.html
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Music by Mr. Simmonds
Animation by Dave Anderson
Scientific Consultation by Athena Aktipis
Made with support from the Arizona Cancer Evolution Center
https://cancer-insights.asu.edu/ -
Stay Home – Baba Brinkman Music Video
From the album "Bright Future", out now:
https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/bright-future
https://linktr.ee/bababrinkman
The science of the COVID-19 outbreak in rap format. Music video produced from home.
Sources:
https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
https://www.ft.com/coronavirus-latest
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/03/how-will-coronavirus-end/608719/
https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-the-hammer-and-the-dance-be9337092b56
Instrumental Sample Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7bobc-vRbQ
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Track Produced by Mr. Simmonds
Additional Bass by Mark Fitzpatrick
Video by Anna C. Gilmore
Featuring:
Akash Balaji, Alex Andorra, Anna Gilmore, Atticus Ratan, Carl Bergstrom, Chelsea Grunert, Chuck Nice, Colin Wansink, Dan Paradies, Dante DeSantis, Dylan Brinkman, Evan Fitzpatrick, Georgia Wluka, Hannah Brinkman, Helen Bergstrom, Isla Luskoff, Janelle London, Jesse Rifkin, Jordan Luskoff, Laura Wheeler, Leslie Peone, Lillian Peone, Lin Gardiner, Lucie Pohl, Luke Grunert, Madhusudan Katti, Mariella Price, Mark Fitzpatrick, Mark Pallen, Mason Fitzpatrick, MC Lars, Mike Carter, Mollie Pettit, Myq Kaplan, Natasha Hurley-Walker, Nate Lombardi, Noelle Janasiewicz, Raylan Peone, Richard Lenski, Robby Ratan, Robert Brinkmann, Roberto De Jesus, Sanzari Aranyak, Shanique Alladen, Tad Johnson, Thelonius Ratan, Tom Frew, Vivienne Wluka, Will Naameh -
Feelings for Reasons – Baba Brinkman Music Video
The evolutionary origins of emotions and mental illness, contemplated in a time of grief and depression.
Inspired by the book "Good Reasons for Bad Feelings" by Randy Nesse. http://goodreasons.info'
Album "See From Space" available now:
Bandcamp: https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/see-from-space
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/see-from-space/1472326163
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/See-Space-Baba-Brinkman/dp/B07V3DF34W -
Senescence – Baba Brinkman Music Video
Evolutionary theories of aging and degeneration, from the album The Rap Guide to Medicine
https://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-medicine
Support my videos on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/bababrinkman
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Music by Mr. Simmonds
Animation by Rob Penczak
Made with support from the European Society for Evolutionary Biology -
So Infectious – Baba Brinkman Music Video
From the album "The Rap Guide to Medicine" – available now for streaming and download:
http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-medicine
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman http://bababrinkman.com
Animation by Dave Anderson http://bloodsausage.co.uk
Produced by Tom Caruana http://teasearecords.com
Co-Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Jamie Simmonds http://mrsimmondsmusic.com
Made with support from the Society for Applied Microbiology http://sfam.org.uk
Learn more about custom rap videos and book yours:
https://www.eventrap.com/ -
CARTA: Baba Brinkman and The Rap Guide to Medicine
(Visit: http://www.uctv.tv/) Canadian Rap-Artist, award-winning playwright, and former tree-planter Baba Brinkman brings his singular form of "peer-reviewed" Rap to the CARTA symposium Implications of Anthropogeny for Medicine and Public Health with a very special performance of unique Raps on disease, evolution and even the symposium itself. Recorded on 10/14/2016. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Science] [Show ID: 31611] -
Adaptive Medicine - Lyric Video
A defense of the Obamacare commissioned by Swedish Medical Centre in Seattle http://www.swedish.org and performed at their Health Care Symposium in October 2010.
Swedish asked me to write a rap song about the debate over US health care reform, and cautioned that it shouldn't be a "partisan rant" but that I was free to express my views. Most of it is directly based on Atul Gawande's writing in the New Yorker.
Sources:
Atul Gawande: "The Cost Conundrum"
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/06/01/090601fa_fact_gawande
Atul Gawande: "Testing, Testing"
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/12/14/091214fa_fact_gawande
Wikipedia: "Canada vs US Health Care"
Wilkenson & Pickett: "The Spirit Level"
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Music by Mr. Simmonds
THE CANTERBURY TALES REMIXED
Gritty retellings of four of Chaucer’s most unforgettable Canterbury Tales, plus the epic stories of Beowulf and Gilgamesh, The Canterbury Tales Remixed takes you on an auditory journey into the distant past, accompanied by the epic cinematic music production of Mr. Simmonds.
Released April 2012
“Takes storytelling to a whole new level with highly impressive and hilarious anecdotal interpretations of classic tales.”
full review: thefindmag.com?p=19057
Review from Show Business Weekly:
“Warriors clash, badass thieves and thugs receive a brutal comeuppance, husbands fight a losing battle against wily wives and seducing lothiarios, villages are plagued by sinister forces of nature… Like ancient listeners gathered around the fire, we want to hear more.”
full review: showbusinessweekly.com/article-1963-the-canterbury-tales-remixed.html
released April 15, 2012
Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Mr. Simmonds
Mr. Simmonds Facebook: www.facebook.com/mrsimmondsmusic
Mr. Simmonds Music Page:
mrsimmonds.bandcamp.com
No videos
Exclaim Magazine Review:
“An intelligent and fun album that will have you looking at music in a whole new way.”
New Scientist Magazine Review:
“Brinkman gives eloquent voice to pain without committing a fallacious appeal to nature.”
released June 26, 2011
All songs produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Mr. Simmonds.
Natural Selection 2.0
D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Guitar: Tom Van Deursen
Cuts: Mr. Simmonds
Black-eyed Peas
D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Cuts: Mr. Simmonds
I’m A African 2.0
D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds
Cuts: Mr. Simmonds
Creationist Cousins 2.0
D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Survival Of The Fittest 2.0
D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Group Selection 2.0
Featuring Smoky Tiger, The Boom Booms & Dizraeli
D. Brinkman, E. Brinkman, A. Courtnage,
A. Ross, S. Ross, J.Simmonds
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Chorus Vocals: Aaron Nazrul, Sean Ross,
Smoky Tiger, Dizraeli
Outro Vocals: Aaron Nazrul, Sean Ross,
Smoky Tiger, Dizraeli, Erik Brinkman
Worst Comes To Worst 2.0
Featuring Dizraeli
D. Brinkman, R. Sawday, J. Simmonds
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Guitar: Dizraeli
Dr. Tatiana
Featuring Helen Arney
H. Arney, D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds
Ukulele: Helen Arney
Sexual Selection 2.0
D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Hypnotize 2.0
D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Chorus Vocals: Noa Bodner
Used To Be The Man
Featuring Aaron Nazrul
D. Brinkman, A. Ross, J. Simmonds
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Guitar: Tom Van Deursen
Outro Vocals: The Boom Booms
Don’t Sleep With Mean People
D. Brinkman, S. Kendall
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Guitars: Tom Van Deursen
Performance, Feedback, Revision 2.0
D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Cuts: J. Simmonds
Darwin’s Acid 2.0
D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
THE RAP GUIDE TO WILDERNESS
Developed in collaboration with The WILD Foundation, this hip-hop celebration of wild nature explores the many contributions of wilderness to human wellbeing. 50% of the net profits from each album sale are donated to WILD to advance their wilderness conservation efforts. Engineered, co-produced, and mixed by Lin Gardiner at Super G Music Studios.
Released December 2014
“Way more interesting (and intellectual) than anything I’ve ever heard from Macklemore.”
– Audubon
“Brinkman spins complex and well constructed narratives that are so clever they make most superstar rappers look like schoolyard braggarts.”
– BC Musician Magazine
“Offers a lively and surprisingly sophisticated take on science.”
– Nature
“The lyricism at its best is both incredibly funny and relentlessly honest”
– Technician Online
“Brinkman’s clever lyrics and academic allusions bring a level of sophistication to the work, while still remaining accessible to listeners.”
– The Peak, SFU
“Brinkman’s talent for placing smart lyrics over a complex and pleasing groove is unquestioned here… not only beautifully mixed, but also easy to listen to.”
– Mother Nature Network
“Been listening to @BabaBrinkman’s brilliant album all day. If you love nature and love music, you’ll love this”
– George Monbiot
“A good flow, a fine ear and a well-developed intelligence, all deployed on a disc about environmentalism.”
– Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“A smart and insightful hip hop celebration of nature conservation”
– BBC Wildlife Magazine
“Baba Brinkman isn’t just a rah-rah green cheerleader. His lyrics take us deeper into the problems environmentalists must wrestle with.”
– Ecoshock Radio
“It’s good. It’s really good”
– Purple Revolver
“Brinkman has a knack for communicating complex and difficult subjects in refreshing, digestible and impactful ways.”
– Samaritan Magazine
“A thought-provoking album that captures the spirit of conservation”
– TreeHugger.com
released December 16, 2014
Tracks 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 Produced by Soulful Spider
Tracks 3, 7 and 8 Produced by Tom Caruana
Keys by Simon Kendall on Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8
Guitar by Tom Van Deursen on Tracks 2 and 6
Guitar by Andreas Schuld on Track 8
Accordion by Simon Kendall on Track 8
Chorus by Aaron Nazrul on Tracks 2 and 8
Chorus by Tia Brazda on Track 3
Violin by Todd Reynolds on Track 4
Chorus by Sean Ross on Track 5
Chorus by Wyckham Porteous on Track 6
Bass by Geordie Hart on Track 6
Tracks 1-7 Mixed and Co-Produced by Lin Gardiner
Track 8 Mixed and Mastered by Tom Caruana
Album Mastered by Mr. Simmonds
Special Thanks to Miss Maggie
-
Veni Vidi Vici – Baba Brinkman (feat. Aaron Nazrul)
Support my videos on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/bababrinkman
Download The Rap Guide to Wilderness:
http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-wilderness
Veni Vidi Vici
Written by D. Brinkman, T. Caruana, S. Kendall and A. Ross
Produced by Tom Caruana
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman
Chorus by Aaron Nazrul
Guitar by Andreas Schuld
Clavinet and accordion by Simon Kendall
Video by Nicholas Castel
Made with support from the Bookend Trust
http://www.bookendtrust.com
Thylacine footage used with permission from the Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office (Film - Tasmanian Tiger - original zoo footage AB869/1/2934)
Further reading:
https://www.cbd.int/sp/targets/
https://theconversation.com/extinction-just-how-bad-is-it-and-why-should-we-care-13751
http://phys.org/news/2012-10-true-worldwide-billions-annually.html -
Baba Brinkman - Tranquility Bank ft. Aaron Nazrul
Recharge your batteries in nature, periodically.
Buy this track from iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-rap-guide-to-wilderness/id940111159
Download The Rap Guide to Wilderness:
http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-wilderness
This video was made with support from the Wild Foundation: http://wild.org
THE RAP GUIDE TO HUMAN NATURE
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Brighton hip-hop virtuoso Mr. Simmonds, Human Nature is Volume Two of Baba’s “peer-reviewed” Rap Guide series, exploring the science of evolutionary psychology and some of the bizarre behavior patterns of the world’s most fascinating primate species.
Released August 2010
Purchase: Bandcamp | iTunes | Amazon | CD Baby | Spotify
Framed by five popular theories of human nature: creationism, spiritualism, social constructivism, biological determinism, and evolutionism, this album tackles some of the big questions in philosophy, psychology and science, with the help of top science writers David Buss, Olivia Judson, and David Sloan Wilson. Provocative and fascinating subjects (She’s Ovulating, The Evolution of Gayness, Twin Studies) are deftly spliced with some incredible beats and turntablism to bring you hip-hop as you’ve never heard it before. Now available as a comedy DVD from Go Faster Stripe.
“An inspired, groove heavy, high production values record with a wonderful lyrical touch."
– Mind Hacks
"If Eminem and Dawkins had a baby, Baba Brinkman would be the result... does a wonderful job at explaining what makes science so important."
– Elephant Journal
"A genius work of popular culture attempting to integrate itself with the current level of human knowledge."
– Refresher Towel
"I’m no hip-hop connoisseur – in fact I’ve never really listened to it – but I’ve enjoyed the music of this album as much and possibly more than the science contained within his lyrics and it has made me want to try out more rap."
– Spotisfaction
released August 1, 2010
All tracks Producer, Mixed, and Mastered by Mr. Simmonds
Instrumentals available here:
mrsimmonds.bandcamp.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-human-nature-instrumentals
Credits
You Can’t See Me
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Additional Vocals: Aaron Nazrul
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Cuts: Mr. Simmonds
Additional Reading:
Chabris & Simons, The Invisible Gorilla
Robert Trivers, “Elements of a Scientific
Theory of Self-Deception”
Robert Wright, The Moral Animal
Hypothesis 1 (Creationism)
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Additional Vocals: Noa Bodner
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Cuts: Mr. Simmonds
Additional Reading:
www.creation.com
No Bugs On Me
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Additional Vocals: Noa Bodner
Cuts: Mr. Simmonds
Additional Reading:
Geoffrey Miller, Spent (Chapter 12)
Jonathan Haidt, www.ted.com
Google: behavioral immune system
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBU6-XK2v54
David Buss Message
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds, D. Buss)
Hypothesis 2 (Spiritualism)
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Additional Vocals: Noa Bodner
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Cuts: Mr. Simmonds
Additional Reading:
www.eckharttolle.com
The Planter’s Dilemma
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Additional Vocals: Noa Bodner
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Additional Reading:
D. S. Wilson, The Neighborhood Project
www.brinkmanforest.ca
Hypothesis 3 (Social Constructivism)
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Additional Vocals: Noa Bodner
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Cuts: Mr. Simmonds
She’s Ovulating
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Additional Reading:
Alverne & Lummaa, “Does the contraceptive
pill alter mate choice in humans?” (TREE)
Google: ovulation and mate choice
Short Term Mating Dance
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Cuts: Mr. Simmonds
Additional Reading:
David Buss, Evolutionary Psychology (Chapter 6)
Parental Investment
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Additional Reading:
Sarah Hrdy, Mother Nature
The Evolution of Gayness
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Cuts: Mr. Simmonds
Additional Reading:
Olivia Judson, Dr. Tatiana’s Sex
Advice to All Creation (Chapter 9)
Olivia Judson Message
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds, O. Judson)
Hypothesis 4 (Biological Determinism)
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Additional Vocals: Noa Bodner
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Cuts: Mr. Simmonds
Twin Studies
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Additional Reading:
Steven Pinker, The Blank Slate
GOCASE
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Additional Vocals: Noa Bodner
Additional Reading:
Geoffrey Miller, Spent
Wannabe G’s
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Additional Vocals: Noa Bodner
Cuts: Mr. Simmonds
Additional Reading:
Robert Trivers, “Self-Deception”
Chabris & Simons, The Invisible Gorilla (Chapter 3)
Daly & Wilson, Homicide
psych.mcmaster.ca/dalywilson
Hypothesis 5 (Evolutionism)
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Additional Vocals: Noa Bodner
Additional Keys: Simon Kendall
Cuts: Mr. Simmonds
Additional Reading:
scienceblogs.com/evolution
David Sloan Wilson Message
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds, D. S. Wilson)
Fame in the Brain
(D. Brinkman, J. Simmonds)
Additional Reading:
Daniel C. Dennett, Sweet Dreams (Chapter 7)
ase.tufts.edu/cogstud/papers/cognition.fin.htm
-
Short-Term Mating Dance – Baba Brinkman Music Video
A passable facsimile of David Attenborough narrates the bizarre courtship behavior of one of planet earth's most peculiar social primates.
Download the album:
http://bababrinkman.bandcamp.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-human-nature
Filmed on location at C Bar, Edinburgh, August 2004, during my first ever Fringe. My brother Erik cruised through the bar with a handycam capturing some hilarious footage, and I wrote the song to go with it, taking some inspiration from the BBC Blue Planet series. Can anyone name all the animals referenced by the Attenborough quotes?
Music Produced by the Mr. Simmonds
Video Edited by Tommy Nagle -
Twin Studies - Baba Brinkman
Baba Brinkman gets a surprise call from his long-lost identical twin brother while working on the lyrics for his Rap Guide to Human Nature CD.
http://bababrinkman.bandcamp.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-human-nature
APOCALYPTIC UTOPIAN DREAMS IN THE WESTERN WILDERNESS
Baba’s fifth full-length hip-hop album, featuring Aaron Nazrul, Smoky Tiger, Erica Dee, Tia Brazda, Noa Bodner, and Chantel Upshaw, with production from Lucid Notion, Infinite Potential, Mr. Simmonds, and Tom Caruana (UK), and DJ NST (Germany). Engineered, co-produced, mixed and mastered in Vancouver by Lin G.
Released September 2009
Exclaim Magazine Review:
exclaim.ca/Reviews/HipHop/baba_brinkman-apocalyptic_utopian_dreams_in_western_wilderness
released September 30, 2009
Beat production by Soulful Spider, Tom Caruana, Lucid Notion, Mr. Simmonds, and DJ NST.
Album produced, mixed, and engineered by Lin G, Vancouver BC.
-
The Road Northwest - Baba Brinkman featuring Smoky Tiger
Hopefully civilization doesn't collapse, but if it does you might want to come to BC, the best place on earth to watch from relative safety as everything else burns. West coast!
From the album "Apocalyptic Utopian Dreams in the Western Wilderness", available from the iTunes Music Store so long as technology endures:
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/apocalyptic-utopian-dreams/id344980763
Credits:
Directed by Syd Woodward for Get Grounded Media
Track Produced by Infinite Potential
Concept by Baba Brinkman
Lyrics by Baba Brinkman and Smoky Tiger
Additional production, mix, and master by Lin Gardiner
Featuring Erik Brinkman's 2010 tree planting crew
Filmed on location, Glimpse Lake, BC
www.babasword.com -
Baba Brinkman Feat. Aaron Nazrul Valediction music video
The song Valediction was produced by Lin Gardiner and the video was directed and filmed by Syd Woodward. The album Apocalyptic Utopian Dreams in the Western Wilderness is now available from iTunes and other digital stores, or visit http://www.babasword.com
THE RAP GUIDE TO BUSINESS
Commissioned by the NYU Stern School of Business. Hustlers, gangsters, entrepreneurs, hip-hop music and business accumen combine in this 80's-inspired tour of the corporate world. Written as a satirical business plan for Baba Brinkman's whole Rap Guide enterprise, this album explores market economics, the intangibles of human capital, strategies for success, and corporate responsibility. The views expressed here are not necessarily the views of the Stern School of Business.
Released September 2011
no reviews yet
released September 30, 2011
All tracks produced, mixed, and mastered by Mr. Simmonds
www.mrsimmondsmusic.com
All lyrics written and performed by Baba Brinkman
www.bababrinkman.com
Additional Vocals by Jennifer Hamady
www.jenniferhamady.com
Album cover art by Noel Planet
www.noelplanet.com
No videos
THE RAP GUIDE TO EVOLUTION
Original hip-hop exploration of modern evolutionary biology, with songs about Sexual Selection, Artificial Selection, Altruism, Morality, and Unity of Common Descent.
Released July 2009
Purchase: Bandcamp | iTunes | Amazon | Spotify
Engineered and mixed by Infinite Potential (Natural Selection engineered and mixed by Lin G), Mastered by Mr. Simmonds, with production by Infinite Potential and Tom Caruana (UK), and Nokz (Turkey), this is the original peer-reviewed rap album by Baba Brinkman.
“This is rap with an intelligent twinkle in its eye” Trends in Evolution and Ecology
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/evo-eco-lab/baba-brinkmans-rap-guide-to-evolution/
released August 1, 2009
Produced by Soulful Spider, Tom Caruana & Nokz
Engineered and mixed by Soulful Spider
Mastered by Mr. Simmonds
Executive Produced and written by Baba Brinkman
-
Performance, Feedback, Revision - Baba Brinkman - Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos
Evolutionary design processes can be found at the level of genes, organisms, brains, culture, and even individual rap songs.
The Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos, sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.
Buy the album: http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-evolution
Learn more: http://rapguidetoevolution.co.uk/performance-feedback-revision/
Credits:
Lyrics and performance by Baba Brinkman
Directed by Felix Harrison
Music by Nokz from Tehdit
Animation by Dave Anderson -
I'm A African - Baba Brinkman - Rap Guide To Evolution Music Videos
All humans share a common ancestor in Africa within the past 100,000 years, so we are all Africans under the skin. Do you know what's happenin'?
The Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos, sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.
Buy the album: http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-evolution
Learn more: http://rapguidetoevolution.co.uk/i'm-a-african
Lyrics and Performance by Baba Brinkman
Music by Soulful Spider
Animation and Effects by Tommy Nagle
Supported by The Wellcome Trust
Inspired by the Dead Prez song "I'm A African"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg5-GBB4P5Y -
Artificial Selection - Baba Brinkman - Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos
Humans have been intervening in evolution for millennia, it's called "artificial selection". And by analogy, we select and spread the cultural variants around us as well, including rap songs. You're a farmer, you can't opt out of it.
The Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos, sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.
Buy the album: http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-evolution
Learn more: http://rapguidetoevolution.co.uk/artificial-selection
Lyrics and Performance by Baba Brinkman
Music by Soulful Spider
Chorus Vocals by Noa Bodner
Outro Cuts by Mr. Simmonds
Animated and Edited by Tommy Nagle
Supported by The Wellcome Trust -
Creationist Cousins - Baba Brinkman - Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos
I have creationist relatives, and relative apes, and I wish them all happiness, whatever their faith, and I wish myself patience, 'cause I relish debates; let us all be respectful, and still tell it straight.
The Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos, sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.
Buy the album: http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-evolution
Learn more: http://rapguidetoevolution.co.uk/creationist-cousins
Lyrics and Performance by Baba Brinkman
Music by Tom Caruana
Directed and Edited by Felix Harrison
Additional Editing by Tommy Nagle
Supported by The Wellcome Trust -
Darwin's Acid - Baba Brinkman - Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos
Darwin's universal acid burns away superstitious beliefs and reveals the interconnectedness of all things.
The Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos, sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.
Buy the album: http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-evolution
Learn more: http://rapguidetoevolution.co.uk/darwin's-acid
Lyrics and Performance by Baba Brinkman
Music by Soulful Spider
Animated by Joep Veldhuis
Illustrated by Silvia Van Schie
Supported by The Wellcome Trust -
Hypnotize - Baba Brinkman - Rap Guide To Evolution Music Videos
The verbal dexterity heard in a typical rap song is analogous to a peacocks' tail, which is why the peahens (in this analogy) would profess to be hypnotized by an effective word-display.
The Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos, sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.
Buy the album: http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-evolution
Learn more: http://rapguidetoevolution.co.uk/hypnotize
Lyrics and Performance by Baba Brinkman
Music by Tom Caruana
Directed and Edited by Felix Harrison
Supported by The Wellcome Trust
Inspired by the Notorious B.I.G. song "Hypnotize"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2taRwe_6afk -
Worst Comes To Worst - Baba Brinkman - Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos
Some species have evolved no fear of each other or of predators. With a bit of care, we might eventually evolve ourselves in that direction as well.
The Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos, sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.
Buy the album: http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-evolution
Learn more: http://rapguidetoevolution.co.uk/worst-comes-to-worst
Lyrics and Performance by Baba Brinkman
Music by Tom Caruana
Directed by Felix Harrison
Animation and Effects by Tommy Nagle
Chorus Vocals by Dizraeli
Cuts by Mr. Simmonds
Supported by The Wellcome Trust -
DNA - Baba Brinkman - Rap Guide To Evolution Music Videos
The common building block of all organisms is DNA. It copies itself, and makes little mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes happen to make a difference in a good way, and that's evolution.
The Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos, sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.
Buy the album: http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-evolution
Learn more: http://rapguidetoevolution.co.uk/dna
Lyrics and Performance by Baba Brinkman
Music by Soulful Spider
Directed by Felix Harrison
Animation by Tommy Nagle
Chorus Vocals by Noa Bodner
Dance and Choreography by Emmanuelle Julien & S.V.
Supported by The Wellcome Trust -
Natural Selection - Baba Brinkman - Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos
"Whoever is led to believe that species are mutable, would do good service by conscientiously expressing his conviction, for only thus can the load of prejudice by which this subject is overwhelmed, be removed." – Charles Darwin
The Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos, sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.
Buy the album: http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-evolution
Lyrics and Performance by Baba Brinkman
Music by Tom Caruana
Directed by Felix Harrison
Animation by Tommy Nagle
Supported by The Wellcome Trust -
Survival of the Fittest - Baba Brinkman - Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos
Winner-take-all environments evoke fiercer competition, and life history theory predicts different reproductive strategies will be pursued at different times and in response to different environmental cues, including cues associated with life expectancy and resource inequality, all of which helps to make sense of gangster rap.
The Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos, sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.
Buy the album: http://music.bababrinkman.com/album/the-rap-guide-to-evolution
Lyrics and Performance by Baba Brinkman
Music by Soulful Spider
Directed by Felix Harrison
Animation by Tommy Nagle
Supported by The Wellcome Trust
Inspired by the Mobb Deep song "Survival of the Fittest"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxDdN-puo3g
Watch Baba's TEDx Talk discussing the theory:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB_kVIoovJI
The data behind this video are drawn from the book "Homicide" by Daly and Wilson:
https://www.amazon.com/Homicide-Foundations-Behavior-Martin-Daly/dp/020201178X
Further reading can be found online at the following links.
Darwinism and the Origins of Machismo:
http://rapguidetoevolution.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/machismo.pdf
Risk taking, Competition and Homicide:
http://rapguidetoevolution.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Risk-taking.pdf
Income inequality and social ills:
http://www.equalitytrust.org.uk/why/evidence
THE INFOMATIC EP
Better science communication through hip-hop. This album was conceived during our one-month songwriters-in-residency position at NIMBioS in Knoxville, Tennesee in 2012. It features five tracks of auditory goodness produced by Mr. Simmonds, exploring allo-parenting, prosimians, oxytocin homologues, cladistics, population modelling, climate change, pseudo-science accommodationism, the homophobic paradox, and the applicability of Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad references to science rap.
Released November 2012
Better science communication through hip-hop.
Written and produced with support from NIMBioS:
www.nimbios.org
(The views expressed in this recording are those of the artists, and may not reflect the official position of NIMBioS)
Released November 10, 2012
Produced, mixed and mastered by Mr. Simmonds
www.mrsimmondsmusic.com
No videos
LIT-HOP (2006)
Recorded on tour in the UK 2005-2006, Baba’s seminal expression of the lit-hop genre.
Released October 2006
Purchase: Bandcamp | iTunes | Amazon | CD Baby | Spotify
Featuring Josh Matinez, Aaron Nazrul, Dizraeli, Jena Fair, and Jonny Quality (Fatboy Slim’s band), with production from Infinite Potential, Torez, Sean Moody, and Lucid Notion (UK), and Moka Only, John Tennant, and Lin G (Canada). Engineered and mixed by Lin G in Vancouver.
“Hype, fist-pumping productions… a versatile, skilled debut”
- GENESIS (Brinkman/Beeby)
Produced by Lucid Notion
Additional Production & Mix: Lin G
- STEP INSIDE (Brinkman, Tenino, Ross, Moka, Gardiner)
Original Beat Production: Moka Only
Featured MC: Junk
Featured Vocalist: Aaron Ross
Guitars: Zayne
Produced and Mixed by Lin G
- BLIND FAITH (Brinkman, Kimber,
Clarke, Rompani, D’Costa, King)
Produced by Torez
Featured MC: Josh Martinez
Harmonica: John Tennant
Additional Production & Mix: Lin G
- MAD STYLE DISEASE (Brinkman, Sawday, I.Pot.)
Produced by Infinite Potential
Mixed by Lin G
- SOCIAL CONTRACT (Brinkman/Beeby)
Produced by Lucid Notion
Featured vocals: Jena Fair
Guitars: Zayne
Additional Production & Mix by: Lin G
- JOHN DEERE GREEN (Brinkman, Moody, Diffie)
Produced by Johnny Quality
Additional Production & Mix: Lin G
- COPYRIDIN’ (Brinkman/Tennant)
Original beat production: John Tennant
Guitars: Zayne
Scratches: DJ Timothy Wisdom
Chorus Vocals: The Copyriders
Produced & Mixed by Lin G
- MELLOW DRAMA (Brinkman/Beeby)
Produced by Lucid Notion
Guitars & Bass: John Beeby
Female vocals: Jomega
Additional production & Mix: Lin G
- THE VORTEX (Brinkman, Sawday, I.Pot.)
Produced by Infinite Potential
Mixed by Lin G
- SEDUCTION (Brinkman, Sawday, I.Pot.)
Produced by Infinite Potential
Mixed by Lin G
- MINDSTATE (Brinkman/Beeby)
Produced by Lucid Notion
Additional Production & Mix: Lin G
- SYMPTOM (Brinkman/Gardiner)
Produced & Mixed by Lin G
- OH NO! (Brinkman, I.Pot., Ross)
Produced by Infinite Potential
Vocals: Aaron Ross
Mixed by Lin G
- LIT-HOP (Brinkman/Gardiner)
Scratches DJ Timothy Wisdom
Produced and Mixed by Lin G
All songs engineered and mixed by Lin G