After curating some tribute playlists for my Break Ya Neck fam earlier this year and putting together the entire Summer Madness series on Spotify, I have finally caught up with technology and i am currently streaming the fuck out of my music selections. I thought i’d share some of the playlists i have been building; some are old playlists that i still turn to for certain moods, others are basically selections of best new music. Below i will shine some light on them. If you have any suggestions, questions or props, please leave a comment or whatever. Feel free to share and follow these little lists!
Hip Hop 2017
https://open.spotify.com/user/onetwann/playlist/1YtSUPMxMS74ApEPVXQLfU
This is all Hip Hop vibes from this year that i’m feeling. It goes from mega hits to obscure gems and from future trap to 90s revivalists, making it a great list to catch up on what’s going on with rap music (or at least through my individual lens). Eventhough it’s Kendricks year all over again, A$AP ruled the summer and Cole’s dreamville roster is creeping on a damn strong come up. Vets are putting in work and Mick Jenkins, Saba, Chance etc are low key the crew to watch. Whichever way you want to put it though, Hip Hop feels real good right now.
R&B 2017
https://open.spotify.com/user/onetwann/playlist/1mh6hz6rRRH7YqcUFXUket
The same can be said for R&B and Soul in 2017. The genre is buzzing with great music; exciting new electronic and bass heavy directions are being mixed with 90s throwback jams and experimental soul. Syd, SZA, Jorja Smith, HER, Khalid, SiR are all killing shit, while others like Tiffany Gouche, Mac Ayres, Elijah Blake, dvsn and many others are expanding and adding on to what R&B is in 2017. This playlist is like hours of great new music waiting to be discovered.
SlowBurn 01
https://open.spotify.com/user/onetwann/playlist/0BMhqTYYtwvvhoeVzAWXng
While we’re on the subject of R&B, this is part one of my SlowBurn series. It’s an older playlist filled with classic vibes that i still play from time to time on the right occasion. This is some smooth, baby-making, get in the groove with somebody music, be warned. This list requires candles and wine and all that good stuff, so snuggle up and catch a vibe
Step Two Me
https://open.spotify.com/user/onetwann/playlist/5GfE0WfWpv5SRYqCOeVetl
If you need something more uptempo to get up and get your groove on, this list is some smooth melodic soulful house stuff. I made this some years ago when i really started feeling electronic music and this sort of has a light UK garage vibe to it. I think it’s really accessible to music fans less familiar with the genre and features some great music coming out of Europe. So if you want to take it from the bedroom to the dance floor, this is still feel good music but with a little bite to it. Basically this is meant to get your dance on, but i guess this is also good for getting ready for a party or to getting your momentum at the gym or something.
Rudebwoy Rave
https://open.spotify.com/user/onetwann/playlist/4U68KNVdNYm38yY3DPpEb3
I’ve been meaning to make this selection for a while now, but this is the first serious version i did. Reggae and electronic music mash up surprisingly well and i always wanted to make a list that features that spectrum. From dancehall inspired future bass, to classic jungle remixes and booming trap with rasta vocals weaving in and out. This playlist is probably subject to change in the future as i add even more yardie stuff, but please start to explore with a spliff in hand and ready to bust a move on em.
Rassssssssssss!
GRIMETIME
https://open.spotify.com/user/onetwann/playlist/78oda86LK90mddVPqo5CZM
I will have to admit, the first time around i slept on Grime Music heavy. I liked Oi! and some Dizzee, but couldn’t get into the unique vibes the UK was throwing at me, all that changed a couple of years ago with Skepta’s “Thats not me” and Meridian Dan’s “German Whip”. So I was late to the party and when i go see a show these last years i am officially one of the oldest geezers in attendance, however, the energy and power at these shows takes me right back to 1993 when i was 15 at an Ice Cube concert. This is my playlist with personal classics for people who are trying to get a feel for the genre or vets that want to hear some sure shots. Wiley is my favourite and is all over this, but it also features stars like Skepta, AJ Tracey, Kano & Stormzy.
Melancholic Electronic
https://open.spotify.com/user/onetwann/playlist/3kjoBZ6bTqFnzNZqBjrGgl
This has also been a playlist that i have turned to for years, while staring out the window or giving in to somber thoughts. Its not exactly a debbie downer, but some beautiful introspective music with some electronic elements to it. It has an eclectic feel as the music comes from different areas and backgrounds. I realise it may sound dated to some of you out there. I made it in 2012 or something, but good music is good music and i definitely found myself coming back to this selection a lot recently.
