Playlist: Jonas Gilbert Anchor of CCTV’s Sports Scene

What is the most played song in your iTunes library?
“Exhibit C” by Jay Electronica. Any- time I’m riding the subway or trying to get around this crazy city, hip-hop seems to be what I fall back to. This may just be my favorite hip-hop track of all time.

What would your rap name be?
Full credit to my buddy JP for this, as he already bestowed one upon me. It’s “Jo Tates – The Hutong Weasel.” A lot of intoxicants went into that night.

What is your favorite song to wake up to?
Lately it’s been “Ziggy Stardust” by Bowie. I can never wake up angry if I hear that opening guitar riff.
If you could sing like one per- son, who would you choose?
I’ve always said that if I could marry a voice, it would be Neko Case’s. For a dude, I think if one could be blessed with Jeff Buckleyesque pipes, that would be something special.

What was the first record you ever bought?
I’m going to go with my first CD – Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em by MC Hammer. I still remember my mom not allowing us to listen to certain tracks at the time, such as “She’s Soft and Wet.” Now I know why.

What artist would you like to take a long journey with?
Neil Young, hands down. There isn’t a musician I respect more for his body of work, mindset and ability to stay true to himself. A brilliant renais- sance man and one of my idols.

Which singer would you bring back from the dead?
Jimi Hendrix, no doubt. Can you imagine seeing Jimi at a smoky old blues hall just absolutely killing it?

See Jonas presenting Sports Scene on CCTV News every day at 3.30pm and 8.40pm.

JONAS’ FOUR-SONG PLAYLIST

“Young Liars” by TV on the Radio
My favorite song of all time from my favorite band of all time.

“Oh Comely” by Neutral Milk Hotel
Almost eight and a half minutes of chilling brilliance.

“Re: Stacks” by Bon Iver
This guy is church for me. This is my hymn.

“Helpless” (The Last Waltz version) by Neil Young
Takes me back to when I lived in Medicine Hat. At the end of a night of partying, we would crash out to this. A coked-out Neil stumbles onto the stage and proceeds to kill it.

A version of this article originally appeared in the May 2013 issue of the Beijinger