Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa

Recorded during the 2007 sessions for Vampire Weekend's debut album, with Ezra Koenig on vocals and guitar, Rostam Batmanglij on keyboards and guitar, Chris Baio on bass, Chris Tomson on drums and Jeff Curtin adding hand percussion. Batmanglij produced and mixed the recording. The track became an early showcase for the band's combination of bright guitar pop, African-influenced rhythms and lyrics examining privilege and cultural exchange. Rolling Stone ranked it among the best songs of 2008. The song remains one of Vampire Weekend's defining early recordings and a frequent feature of their live performances. Peter Gabriel later recorded a reinterpretation with Hot Chip after being named in its lyrics.