Music is literally what gets me through life. Before I do anything I am making some kind of playlist first. From cleaning the house to getting dressed from my weekend shenanigans, I have a playlist prepared for it. My car is also the same way. I spend a lot of time driving to and from places and Vegas has the worst unnecessary traffic I have ever seen. I need to keep myself entertained while playing real life Mario Cart. The mix I listen to in my car I have titled the “Summer 16 Mix” because I am not creative enough to think of something else. This mix has 312 songs on it but I will only highlight 10. These are the 10 songs that I tend to play more than the others. If you wanted to know where “Panda” would land on this list, let me tell you, know that it is far away from me. I have no interest in a song where a Fanta Soda, a car, and his grandma are mentioned in the same breath. I put this in the category that I call skinny jean rap. This mix has a few radio songs, but it’s mostly songs that get me through summer.

1. A little Bit More – By Jidenna

Since “Classic Man” I have liked the way he kept his own personal style intact while being accepted into the pop world. With this single Jidenna took off the three-piece suit and slipped into some linen and floral shirts to make this summertime go-to song for me. I love this song it puts me in a vacation type of mood. The type where you and your girls are on a trip taking selfies with clever graphic tees that say “I don’t cat feelings I catch flights.”

2. Summer on Smash – By Nas, Miguel, and Swizz Beatz

Nas is my Favorite artist and his album Life is Good is high on my list as well. This will always be a kick-off song for the summer, it’s in the title. This is the song when you are on your way to being the life of the party somewhere and you really can’t go wrong with Swizz Beatz on the track. Nas is known for his lyrical content but every once in a while, he will drop a party song for the mass and this is one of them. This will be on the list with “You Owe Me” and “Oochie Wally.”

3)You Know You Like It Remix – Aluna George, and DJ Snake

This is one of those songs where I hated the original and grew to love the remix. I feel like if you are originally a fan of this artist then you would like the original and the remix is for people like myself. This is not necessarily the style of music I would normally listen to but there is always a few that will slip through the cracks and this is one of them.

4. Work – By Rihanna

I never knew I was a fan of Rihanna until I looked up one day and had all of her albums. This song gives me classic Rihanna. It has the island vibes and guest appearance from Drake. It kind of brings me back to her “what’s My name” days with the duo. There is only a hand full of songs that will have you hooked as soon as the beat drop. Juvenile “Back that thing Up” and Bel Biv Devoe “Poison” are a couple of those songs. We can now add “Work” to that list as well.

5. Famous – Kanye West

I have been a Kayne fan since the College Dropout days. Even when he was getting weird I hoped that he would get back on track and back to his old self. The Life of Pablo is refreshing and it gives me the hope that I need to think that the old Kanye is in there somewhere. As for this song you can’t help but sing the samples that he put together. For those that don’t know the two samples are “Do what You Gotta Do” by Nina Simone and “Bam Bam” by Sister Nancy. This track produced well and I played it a lot this summer. Welcome back Kanye.

6. Nas Album Done – By DJ Khaled and Nas

I have already stated before that Nas was my favorite artist so its only right that he makes my list more than once. I will go into detail as to why later but in regards to this list just know that he has a special place in my music choices. This is a great song where he is dropping all kinds of knowledge in the form of “major keys.” I will always give the guy with the signature fade a listen when he drops something new. I can’t wait for the new Nas album, I just hope he don’t make me wait too long.

7. Again – By Fetty Wap

I will not lie, he won me over with the Trap love song eloquently titled “Trap Queen.” He was able to make it on my list with a couple songs with this one being my favorite. What’s not to like? There is a catchy beat and lyrics you can sing along to while standing on couches in the club.

8. Might Not – By Belly and The Weekend

You cannot have a Summer mix without a song with heavy drug references and catchy melodies. That is what this song is about and I love it. Even if you don’t do drugs as much as this song says, you will still lift your glass in the club singing the chorus.

9. Real Ones - By Fabolous

Fabolous in my opinion is probably one of the most underrated artist out there. I have always been a fan of his music and his mixtapes could easily go for albums. Summertime Shootout is an instant classic and there are so many tracks on my playlist but I noticed that I played this one the most. The Fugees sample is what got me. Loso has struck again and I am looking forward to part 2.

10. All the Way Up – By Fat Joe, Remy Ma, and French Montana

My mix would not be complete without adding this song. I probably play this three to four times a day. This is one of those songs where you don’t want to get out of the car until it’s over. Remy ma verse is amazing and she doesn’t disappoint on the remix either.

With the over 300 songs on this particular play list these are the ones that got the most play in the car driving around. Later I will go in depth with my music critiques but I figured I would introduce a playlist first. This is what got me through summer, I wonder what I will have for the fall?