Eighteen Songs For Summer 2018 Vol. 1 of 2
Summer 2018 is here!
Although Summer does not start until the end of June throughout the end of September, many consider the end of May until the end of August to be Summer. With that timeline in mind, I have had about a month and a half to choose the songs that are electrifying this summer of 2018. The eighteen songs below are a mix of songs that are ranking high-up on the charts and some that are non-existent on them. These are the songs that are making my summer, thus far.
The 18
1. The Carters “APESHIT”
JAY-Z and Beyoncé collectively known by their marriage title, The Carters, finally dropped their long rumored joint album, 'EVERYTHING IS LOVE', this past June. The lead track, "APESHIT," featuring Migos, definitely sets my soul on fire. This will not be a classic but with the added visual, the bassline and Beyoncé's sharp and swift rapping, this song gets me hyped up.
2. Shallou “Lie (Le Youth Remix)" feat. Riah
The Le Youth remix of LA-based DJ Shallou is the perfect Dance-Pop midtempo for a cool summer night. This is definitely one of those euphoric jams.
3. Teyana Taylor “WTP”
After all of those clips of Teyana Taylor Voguing on social media, she officially paid homage to ballroom and Vogueing culture with "WTP." Oh yea, "WTP" is an acronym for "Work This Pussy." It came just in time for NYC pride weekend with the release of her Kanye West-produced album titled 'K.T.S.E.' This song is pure heat and I cannot wait to see the video for this.
4. Beth Ditto “Fake Sugar”
There are just some songs that I don't catch onto until a year later; "Fake Sugar" is a perfect example of this. Performed by Beth Ditto, of Gossip fame, is the title track of her long-delayed debut solo album. I am so addicted to this song, with its folk elements. I feel like I'm in the middle of some big open panoramic field, where I can stretch my arms out for eternity, whenever I listen to this song. This is definitely a song for a calm summer day, evening or night.
5. Luis Fonsi “Calypso” feat. Stefflon Don
I still cannot get over Stefflon Don and this forced accent. If you listened to her earlier work it was not nearly as pronounced as it is now. Nonetheless, this is a catchy song. I actually prefer this to "Despacito" which I was never able to get fully into. Sing it with me, "Un, dos, tres, Calypso!"
6. Lauv “Chasing Fire”
I have been waiting on Lauv's first official release for quite some time. He finally released 'I Met You When I Was 18 (The Playlist)' in the past few months. "Chasing Fire" is one of the standout tracks; it is sonically appealing and is also lyrically relatable.
7. City Girls “Millionaire Dick”
I am apart of jumping on the City Girls bandwagon because of one my closest friends. Their mixtape, 'PERIOD,' brought many bangers but my personal favorite is "Millionaire Dick." I actually don't like it for the lyrical content but because of the beat and the girls' flow. It is truly a bop.
8. Daddy Yankee “Dura”
This one has been out for quite awhile but Daddy Yankee's "Dura" just sounds so good, to me at least. This is such a great song to move your body to. The colorful music video makes it even more appropriate for the season.
9. Azealia Banks "Treasure Island"
My favorite problematic artist, Azealia Banks, recently released a new song titled "Treasure Island." From the moment the beat drops and she starts off with, "Meet seaside, beach vibes/ Me in the flip flops/ La isla, we slide/ Leave it to me why?" I was sold from then although I would have rather more rapping than singing.
10. Ciara "Level Up"
Brand spankin' new, Ciara's delivered her first taste of music since signing to Warner Music in January 2017. I love to dance even though I don't do it well and "Level Up" is the perfect song for this. It's all about dodging the pessimism and diving head first into optimism. The song samples DJ Telly Tells "Fuck It Up Challenge" which sampled a Jersey Club remix of Fun.'s "We Are Young." This damn CiCi can dance!
11. Drake “Summer Games”
Okay, so here is thing about Drake, in my personal opinion, because he sits so well in the minds of the public he can release almost anything and it will catch. Even when the song is mediocre... I remember saying a long time ago he was the Britney Spears of Hip-Hop, when she was in her prime. That was a comparison to their levels of popularity.
Every once in awhile Drake will release a track or two that I will fall head over heels for and this is one of them. I am a fan of R&B Drake; I love the tone of his singing voice because it's easy to sing along with him. I'm a sucker for Summer and love and this song blends the two in a sonically pleasing way.
12. Nicki Minaj “Chun-Li”
Oh boy Nicki Minaj, this 'Queen' era is not shaping up to be as heavy as its title. I still have faith that she will have at least a couple of classics on the album. I definitely would not consider "Chun-Li" to be a classic but there is something about this bouncy beat that makes me lose control whenever I hear it. The lyrics are actually a joke but production wise, this is a bop.
13. Larry June “Too Live Crew” feat. Chuck Inglish
I've been listening to this song for months now and it still revs me up whenever I hear it. It's a throwback to all that Miami-style booty bass music. Larry and Chuck's flows are so relaxed, the production gives this song all the life. I bounce my life away with this one.
14. Maggie Rogers “Fallingwater”
This is an unexpected song for a Summer playlist but I just cannot stop listening to "Fallingwater." The drums at the beginning followed but those Indie-esque vocals were an unexpected pairing. I also love the way the vocals and production switch up about halfway through the song.
15. Playboi Carti “Pull Up”
BASS, again bass... The lyrics are foolishness but that speaker bursting bass makes this an automatic anthem for me. Playboi Carti came through on this one...
16. E.M.C.K. “Wish”
It takes a moment for this song to charge up but when that "Sticky just like ice cream" line comes in, it's one major Dance party after that. This songs leaves me in a melodic state of euphoria.
17. YG “Big Bank” feat. 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Nicki Minaj
"Big Bank" is a Hip-Hop hit no matter which way you put it. My favorite lines are delivered by 2 Chainz with his "Everything proper, no propaganda/ Tropicana Goyard bandanna/ Big sack, a lotta hoes like Santa." This is a good one...
18. Drake “In My Feelings” feat. City Girls
Like I said, every once in awhile Drake releases one or two songs that I'm head over heels for and this is the second one. "In My Feelings," which also features the City Girls who are unlisted, has gone viral with a number of dance challenges on social media. The video was recently shot in New Orleans. Dare I say it, this is a classic.
Honorable Mentions
So the list of songs above are the songs that I connect with the most. Of course, there are other songs that are summer-certified. In fact, there are two other songs that reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Check them out below.
Cardi B "I Like It" feat. Bad Bunny & J. Balvin
The song that made Cardi B the first female in Hip-Hop to have two #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 is this hit, featuring Bad Bunny and J. Balvin. "I Like It" instantly screamed hit single when I first heard it upon listening to 'Invasion Of Privacy.' Based on the hit formula right now... in the same breath I personally think it's a cool song but it does not move me to my core. There is still no denying that this a song for the Summer.
Childish Gambino - "This Is America"
"This Is America" deserves to played through out this entire year and long after. Gambino hit a home run with this one. While this is not exactly a fun and lighthearted song for the Summer, its cultural effect makes anytime an appropriate time to press play wherever this is an energetic environment.
Spotify
Now that you have witnessed Volume 1, take all of these songs with you. I love Spotify, that's all.