The millennial Weird Al is back with a Paul Simon parody
Comedian Kyle Gordon — fans say the millennial Weird Al is back — just dropped “Mr. Jambo,” a viral Paul Simon–inspired parody with millions of views. Playing clueless traveler Barry Bergen, he spoofs spiritual tourism and the Graceland era, telling CNN the joke comes from love.
Key Takeaways
- Gordon’s “Mr. Jambo” video exploded online after he posted it on social channels last week, drawing millions of views.
- The song follows Barry Bergen, an aging singer-songwriter loosely based on Paul Simon, who “discovers” African music while ignoring what locals actually say.
- Gordon, 33, self-funded a shoot in South Africa and Eswatini in April to film the clip.
- “Mr. Jambo” will appear on his third album, Kyle Gordon Is Everywhere, due October 2, with narration from Daniel Radcliffe.
- Gordon calls Graceland a masterpiece and says the parody is “definitely done with love.”
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Who is the millennial Weird Al, and what did he release?
Gordon built his name on musical satire. In 2023, “Planet of the Bass” — a send-up of ’90s Europop acts like Aqua — made him an internet star, landing coverage in the New York Times, Rolling Stone and NPR, and even a remix on The Simpsons.
He later released two comedy albums spoofing emo, nu metal and British rap, but nothing matched that breakthrough — until “Mr. Jambo.” Online fans have repeatedly labeled him the millennial Weird Al, a comparison he told CNN left him “speechless.”
Why is Paul Simon the target of “Mr. Jambo”?
The track is heavily inspired by Simon’s 1980s trip to South Africa to record Graceland. In Gordon’s bit, Barry Bergen wanders the savannah claiming enlightenment while locals can barely stand him. When a frustrated man tries in Zulu to say he cannot understand Bergen, the character hears mystical talk of “the valley of the soul” and “ancient scrolls.”
Gordon started the idea last fall and pushed harder after hearing Johnny Clegg, realizing a wider ’80s trend of blending Western pop-rock with traditional African music. He insisted on filming on location despite advice to fake it out west, calling the choice “tunnel vision.”
Casting in Eswatini was handled by Swazi producer Myxo Mdluli. Retiree Mandla Dlamini plays Mr. Jambo — a friend of the producer who thought the shoot would be fun and still chats with Gordon on WhatsApp.
Will Paul Simon be mad about the parody?
Gordon says no. He ranks Simon among the best songwriters ever and calls Graceland a pop masterpiece, while noting the album’s controversy — including Simon’s visit during the anti-apartheid cultural boycott — made it a “totally legitimate target.”
If they crossed paths, Gordon joked he would kiss Simon on the cheek and take him for a pastrami sandwich. His best guess: Simon is “probably rolling his eyes rather than punching a wall.” Good parody, he argues, usually comes from love — loving something and seeing what is silly about it at the same time.
Streamer Hasan Piker called Gordon a “generational talent,” and comedian Gianmarco Soresi said he was “obsessed” with the song. After years of chasing the next “Planet of the Bass,” Gordon says he was never trying to cash in on the same formula — just keep inventing characters. “Mr. Jambo” suggests that bet is paying off.