Summer is finally here, which means long days and even longer nights. By now, you've probably already began to figure out what your songs for summer '16 are, but before you save that playlist, you may want to add a few more. Whether old or new, you for sure can't go wrong with these feel-good tracks.
1. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - "Summertime"
This is pretty self explanatory, just look at the title.
2. LOtso x ODIE - "Senorita"
If you know me, then you know my addiction to SoundCloud. I was lucky enough to come across this gem randomly one day, and it's been on replay ever since. The Latin vibe makes it the perfect song to listen to when you're hanging by the pool on a sunny day.
3. Sia - "Cheap Thrills"
When Sia first comes to mind, you're probably imagining yourself singing in the shower at the top of your lungs, trying to hit a note that you most likely can't reach. However, this song is definitely an uplifting summer jam to get you in the mood before going out. "Baby, I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight, (I love cheap thrills)." If you're broke like me, then you have no choice but to love cheap thrills, too.
4. Beenie Man ft. Mya - "Girls Dem Sugar"
This song is what you'd call an "oldie, but goodie."I was only five when this track was released, but nonetheless it still gets people to dance the same way that it did in 2000.
5. Kanye West - "Highlights"
Whether you hate Kanye or love him, you have to admit that his music is incomparable. This upbeat song, emphasizes how important it is to enjoy the "highlights" in life whenever you get the chance, and isn't that what summer's all about?
6. Kamaiyah - "Freaky Freaks"
Once again, SoundCloud came through with this track. This song is reminiscent of old school hip-hop at its finest. If you didn't start nodding your head once the beat dropped, then you might want to get your ears checked. Just kidding, but in all seriousness, this song is hot, and she's definitely an artist to look out for!
7. Chance the Rapper - "All Night"
" Coloring Book" couldn't have been released at a better time. Chance the Rapper did an amazing job with the album, but for some reason this song hasn't gotten all the credit it deserves. I don't know if it was just me, but as soon as the song started, I couldn't stop smiling, and when he said "start dancing," I did. So instead of going straight to "No Problems" or "Juke Jam," try playing this song on the way to the beach, I bet it'll get you even more excited.
8. Rihanna ft. SZA - "Consideration
Just like Chance, Rihanna worked her magic on her most recent album. In reality, I can't remember the last time I went a whole summer without a Rihanna song on my "bonfire playlist." But in addition to songs like "Work" and "Needed Me," don't forget to add in "Consideration." With Rihanna's Caribbean flavor and SZA's neo-soul sound as a feature, this is the perfect feel-good track. My only complaint is, it's too short!
9. 2pac - "I Get Around"
When picking your summer playlist, it's easy to skip straight to the new stuff, but never forget to take a second to appreciate solid "old-school" rap, and this song in particular just screams good summer vibes. RIP to a legend.
10. Mr Eazi ft. Joey B - "Holl Up"
"Afrobeats" have gotten more and more shine in the past years, especially by people like Drake, Chris Brown, Wale and many more. With artists such as Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy coming up on the African hip-hop scene, this song is no different. Mr Eazi is a Ghanaian rapper who's chill beats make his music perfect for the days when you want to just lay on the beach.
11. Joey Purp ft. Chance the Rapper - "GIRLS"
I couldn't help but feel like this was the new summer anthem for girls everywhere, the way "Come get it Bae" was back in 2014. Of course it's not going to win any awards for being the girl-power anthem of 2016, but I can definitely already picture girls getting up at a kickback yelling, "This my song"—myself included.
12. Drake - "Controlla"
There's no way that you can turn the radio on these days without hearing Drake, I even heard him featured on a Spanish song the other day. In short, Drake is everywhere, but who's complaining? Recently, DJ Khaled and Drake dropped their self-proclaimed summer anthem of 2016, "For Free", but if it were up to me, "Controlla" would be my pick. It's Dancehall infused beats make it the song to dance to or vibe to. Either way, it's a yes from me.
13. YG ft. Drake, Kamaiyah - "Why You Always Hatin'?"
Speaking of Drake, here he is again, featured on YG's new song, "Why You Always Hatin?" You can't really call it summer without a YG song to blast, and this is it. I'd recommend that you have this song ready for the haters, just in case.