Hip Hop, Rap and Positivity (My Playlist)

It recently came to my attention that Hip Hop/Rap had become my most popular genre of music in my iTunes/Apple Music Library. This was a bit of a surprise to me, for if we looked back 7 years ago to the exordium of my music collection, the most popular genre of music in the world, was by far my least favorite.

Yet as we grow, our tastes change and our preferences alter. Eventually I learned to see the incredible art and undeniable fun that can be found behind an 808 beat, and it became my number one source of music appreciation. But this is not the case for alot of people.

The assumptions still stand that rap music is nothing but misogyny, simplistic structure, and harsh synthetic drums over unintelligible and/or aggressive words. This isn’t false (alot of the fun of rap can come from these stereotypes mind you) but it’s far from being completely accurate. I know that form personal experience that their is a wide range of incredibly positive and upbeat rap music that will have you jumping on your bed and singing lyrics in the shower like your favorite Taylor Swift song.

So this playlist is for those not well-versed in the realm of Hip Hop/Rap. Take a listen to these 13 songs and enjoy an increasingly jumpin’ playlist that is curated specifically for your listening pleasure

1. Special One — Phony Ppl

A short, sweet and soft intro to take your hand and guide you slowly into a musical experience

2. Light (feat. Jeremih) — Big Sean

The opening track to Big Sean’s last album. A beautiful anthem from the I Don’t F*&% With You artist.

3. Diddy Bop (ft. Raury & Cam O’bi) — Noname

Chicago’s Poetess extraordinaire. Enjoy Noname who’s soft spoken voice speaks volumes alongside mellow beats

4. Boredom (ft. Anna of the North, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Rex Orange County) — Tyler the Creator

Tyler The Creator made a song about being bored (and being lonley) but it has such a sweet sound that you can’t help but be anything but.

5. 3005 (Beach Picnic Version) [Secret Track]— Childish Gambino

A secret version of a secret remix. The “real” version of this song is purely instrumental, but this secret track version with lyrics has mesmerized me for years.

6. Sunshine — Lupe Fiasco

An oldie form 2006. Lupe Fiasco’s first album was special because of songs like this where you can feel the song’s title in every beat,

7. Neon Lights (ft. Supa Bwe & Lil Yachty) — Taylor Bennett

Did you know Chance the Rapper has a little brother? Did you know he makes his own music? Its very good

8. Smile (ft. Phil Adé & Zayla Moon) — Wale

The hook on this song says it all. Wale tackles political strife in the least polarizing way. A true American hero if you ask me.

9. Black SpiderMan (ft. Damian Lemar Hudson) — Logic

You’ve most likely heard this one. Its hard not to get hype when Logic is at his most expressive. The world certainly needs a black Spider-Man

10. Endless Summer Symphony — Kyle

You may know Kyle from iSpy. But before he blew up (and sold out) he made the most upbeat and nerdy positive Rap you’d ever find.

11. Classic Man (Remix)[feat. Kendrick Lamar] — Jidenna

Kendrick may be the most conscious and most talented rapper alive, but that doesn’t mean he can’t spit fire bars. Just try and not bump to this.

12. Tap Dance (feat. Chance the Rapper) — Octave Minds

I don’t even have a comment for this one. Just listen to this song and feel an atomic bomb of happiness and energy burst from inside your heart.

13. Special One (Interlude)— Phony Ppl

Looks familiar doesn’t it? Listen to this reprise of the first track on this list and ease out of the playlist feeling more accepting and appreciative of the beauty of rap music.

Here’s the link to this playlist on Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/playlist/engl-397-assignment/pl.u-oZylMvYsPRZ9g9