It's summer! Well, not really. It's not even really spring yet. But just to let you all know, I love summer so much that I usually just call spring/summer, summer, and I usually start calling it summer the first day it hits in the mid-60's. I really wanted to post this a couple weeks ago, but a summer post in February seemed like a stretch even for a summer-lover like myself.
Now that the temps have hit the 70s, you probably won't be able to walk into any bar around the city without hearing "Summertime" by Will Smith. And you will probably be hearing it for the next 3 months or so ad nauseam. And that's ok-ish. I like that song. And it does get me excited for summer. But, come on, we can do better. The genre of Hip Hop offers a plethora of music, so much of it catered to that good-time, summer feeling, that we don't need to constantly default to Will Smith's pre-Jiggy offerings. Below are some of the Hip Hop songs I turn to when the weather gets warmer.
Nuthin' But A "G" Thang - Dr. Dre
No shame in starting off a list with an obvious pick. Really, when it comes to summer music, in most cases you need look no further than the west coast style pioneered by Dr. Dre in the 90's. "G" Thang just happens to be my favorite of the lot. But really, any track off "The Chronic" (or any track off the album of any artist off the Dr. Dre production tree) can fit in with your summer festivities. It's kind of like pairing wine with food. Put on "Let Me Ride" to relax the mood by the pool, and when dusk hits, and the party moves back to your apartment, put on the above track.
Also, I should note, as a child of the 90's, I grew up with music videos. Songs like these, which great are great audio accompaniments to any summer event, are really kicked up by videos that also showcase warm weather fun. A great example of this is also Coolio's "Fantastic Voyage."
Naughty By Nature - Feel Me Flow
If I didn't love this song so much, I probably could have just linked to it in the above chunk since it shares a lot of the same qualities mentioned above. Great warm weather video. West coast style beat. But, I just love the shit out of this song and it's almost always the first to get played when the temp starts rising.
Ice Cube - It Was A Good Day
I still consider this a summer song even though someone recently determined that Ice Cube's Good Day was January 20th. No one is having a good day in mid-January. This is a summer jam if there ever was one. Because that's the best part about summer, any day can be a good day. Great weather opens so many activity options and a simple work call-off can leave you open to a day full of adventure. What would I do on my good day? Well, you can find out HERE. I hope everyone's summer is filled with beeps (I guest texts now) from Kim.
2Pac - California Love
So dusk comes and the pool party turns into an impromptu house party at your pad as mentioned above. If this song doesn't come on at that party, your party probably wasn't that good. It's like a party skeleton key. It improves any playlist, brings any non-dancer onto the dance floor and gives them instant rhythm (mostly because the dance floor is so packed no one can notice their glaring lack of skill), and blends everybody in the room from early 20's to mid-30's (if someone at your party doesn't recognize this song kick them out...either your Dad is over killing your vibe or you're about to be charged with statutory rapy you perv) into a vibe of musical appreciation and nostalgia.
And before we move on to some different things, shout out to The Game for continuing some of the past greatness of the west coast to the present with a personal summer time favorite of mine, "Ol' English."
Notorious B.I.G. - Big Poppa
With all the west coast love this list has been showing, it'd be inappropriate not to show off some of the summer flavor that the east coast has to offer.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - 1st Of Tha Month
Did you call off work too many times to enjoy the sunshine? Well, then you might be able to relate to this welfare anthem by Cleveland natives Bone. But whether your getting your paychecks from the state of Ohio or an employer, I think we all know that warm weather and summer feelings leads to an added insensitive to splurge on booze, recreational drugs and bbq supplies. So, I think people of all demographics can relate to this silky, cool jam and enjoy catching a buzz and catching some sun.
Kid Cudi - Cleveland Is The Reason
If you're going to be enjoying the best season of the year, you might as well enjoy it while listening to a song about the best city in the United States.
Delinquent Habits - Return Of The Tres
This is probably one of those songs you think you've never heard of until you start listening to it. That's probably because you can probably find it featured or sampled in any video game, tv show, or movie dealing with or taking place in Mexico. I've been a big fan of Delinquent Habits for a while now, and many of there songs would be honorable mentions on this list. The mariachi-like samples they use really just update a style of music that would go well with a cold beer on a patio somewhere anyways, so it's not really a surprise that many of their jams find their way onto my summer playlists.
Kanye West - Drive Slow
Drinking, partying, fun times. But even a drive down the street can be an adventure in the summer. This song makes any ride to work in June a little more tolerable. And it definitely makes you want to skip lunch so you can get out an hour early and catch some extra happy hour.
Lupe Fiasco - Daydreamin'
Because in the summer, out of all the things to do, sometimes the funnest thing to do is nothing.
Pitbull - Culo
Let's face it, the best part about more degrees is less clothing. Ted Alexandro points that out perfectly. But all the songs about ass out there, which to choose?
Before Pitbull was selling him rhymes to R&B artists 16 bars at a time or telling you what to drink (I do love Dr. Pepper, but prefer Miller Lite to Bud Lite), he was a renowned rhymesayer. But, as he does with most things, Lil Jon ruined that. But before it all went bad, this breakthrough single gave us another ass-anthem. I don't know, sometimes a different language classes things up a bit. Sure, while you were singing along you essentially shouted "ass" about 2 dozen times...but because you were actually screaming "culo," it seems a little more innocent an fun. Either way, enjoy summer, and like Ice Cube, make sure if you take a girl home to, "put that 'culo' to sleep."
St. Lunatics - Summer In The City
Good list so far Justin, but if you want us to replace "Summertime" on our summer playlists, at least give us one song with "Summer" in the title!
Point taken. This little diddy was always a favorite of mine. Now, all of the Lunatics, aside from Nelly, have varying degrees of competence as MC's (noted by their lack of success outside of projects with Nelly), but the beat, good feelings, and chorus (done by Nelly), keep the song firmly in place as a summer staple for me. Why's Bill Murray in the video? Apparently this song was on the soundtrack for the film "Osmosis Jones." Why did that movie have a soundtrack? Some questions have no good answers.
What are some of your favorites? Comment below and let me know!
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