Sick Beats: A Startup’s Music Playlist

Everyone loves a good “getting it done” movie montage in which a character is shown working hard, moving up, and making a difference (insert fist pump here). And there’s almost always an accompanying music track to underscore how empowered that character is in that moment.

Outside of film, if anyone should have a soundtrack follow them around, it is the startup. The poster children for grit and determination, all startups work hard and dream big, however, they also need to blow off steam from time to time. Music is a great outlet for stress relief and what better way to celebrate strides large and small, or even just the end of a long work week than turning up some tunes?

I hereby dedicate the following playlist to every startup (including Tradovate, the startup I’m part of) in an effort to energize, encourage, and pay lyrical homage to hard work:

Not Afraid — Eminem

I’m not afraid to take a stand / Everybody come take my hand / We’ll walk this road together, through the storm / Whatever weather, cold or warm…

Run This Town — Jay Z

So I keep doin’ my own thing / Walkin’ tall against the rain (What’s up) / Victory’s within the mile / Almost there, don’t give up now (What’s up)…

Happy — Pharrell Williams

It might seem crazy what I’m about to say / Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break…

Moment 4 Life — Nicki Minaj (featuring Drake)

And I will retire with the crown, yes / No, I’m not lucky, I’m blessed, yes / Clap for the heavyweight champ, me / But I couldn’t do it all alone, we…

Radioactive — Imagine Dragons

All systems go, the sun hasn’t died / Deep in my bones, straight from inside / I’m waking up, I feel it in my bones / Enough to make my systems blow. Welcome to the new age, to the new age…

Started from the Bottom — Drake

Started from the bottom now we’re here, started from the bottom now our whole team’s — — here…

Shake it Off — Taylor Swift

But I keep cruising / Can’t stop, won’t stop grooving / It’s like I got this music / In my mind, saying it’s gonna be alright…

Guts Over Fear — Eminem

Do I really belong in this game? I pondered / I just wanna’ play my part, should I make waves or not? / So back and forth in my brain, the tug-o-war wages on…

Chandelier — Sia

But I’m holding on for dear life, won’t look down won’t open my eyes…

Stronger — Kanye West

Work it, make it, do it, / Makes us harder, better, faster, stronger!

Work Hard, Play Hard — Wiz Khalifa

The bigger the bill, the harder you ball / Well I’m throwing mine, cause my money long / The quicker you here, the faster you go / That’s why where I come from the only thing we know is work hard, play hard…

Of course there are thousands of songs from all genres and years that could’ve made this list — songs that accompany any situation — from overcoming adversity, to getting funded, making the right team hire, or just putting in the hours to press a project forward.

If you’re part of a startup (or have ever been part of one) I’d love to know what jams inspire you? I encourage you to share your favorite startup-related songs in the comments section below and be sure to note why it resonates with you.

Rock on!

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Sarah McNabb is Director of Marketing at Tradovate, a financial technology startup developing a new online futures trading experience. Sign up for a pre-launch invite at www.tradovate.com.