There are few things that I think ease you into the day better than coffee, yoga, and music. Instead of listening to ads on the local radio station on your way to campus, try this smooth mix of hip-hop, jazz, and old school pop.
1. Hotline Bling: Sufjan Stevens
For anyone else who is a Sufjan groupie like myself, you’re welcome. I first became aware of this cover when my best friend saw him perform it in concert. From that day forward, I hunted for a studio version until I finally landed on this live version.
2. Over and Over: Smallpools
This is one of those can’t-help-but-smile-dance-around-in-your-kitchen kind of songs. Even the cover art for the EP makes me laugh. If this doesn’t make you feel sunny and bubbly, like Jessica Day from New Girl, then honestly nothing will. Get your giddy on here.
3. Drop It Like It’s Beautiful: Oliver Tank
What a title. What a song. This song is a sunny remix of Snoop Dogg’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot”. Everything about this makes me want to move to a beach somewhere in Australia, which is honestly what motivates me to go to class everyday. I’m comin’ for you, Byron Bay.
4. No Type: XAVIER
If there’s a theme to this playlist, it’s remixes and covers of great hip-hop anthems. This song is no exception. It takes that classic Rae Sremmurd song we all know and does a complete 180 with it. If XAVIER covered every song from that album, I wouldn’t be mad.
5. They Could Be Wrong: Lianne La Havas
As strange as it sounds, I think that hip hop and jazz can play very nicely with each other. Think of the musical version of pineapple on pizza. I personally can’t start my day without a hint of jazz. Lianne La Havas is a wonderful new age jazz pop artist, and you should definitely check her out if you have never heard of her. Give this a listen while you sip on your morning coffee.
6. Where We From: Gravez
If you see me jamming at a stoplight anywhere around town, odds are this song is playing in my car. Inspired by “Calabria”, this song slows the tempo and uses piano to offset the backbeat. The result is a lush yet crunk jam to dance to in your car.
7. Someone New: Hozier
Ok, so ideally I shouldn’t be listening to songs that sometimes make me cry first thing in the morning. However, this song makes me cry happy tears, so that’s not as bad. Cards on the table, I cried watching this music video in Hendrix. Oops.
8. Jackie and Wilson: Hozier
Double Hozier offender. Can you blame me though? Who isn’t a sucker for musical, rugged Irishmen? I never knew that I wanted to pretend to be Daphne from Scooby Doo with someone until I heard this song. You’ll want to too.
9. Valerie: Amy Winehouse
This is such a classic. Amy Winehouse truly is the queen of new age jazz. I dare you to not sway along while listening to it. I once had a nightmare that they took this song off Spotify. True story.
10. Harlem Shake Freestyle: Azealia Banks
Do you remember when you couldn’t get on Facebook without seeing at least four of these videos on your timeline? Don’t you wish you could forget? Well, this song will hopefully erase all those awful memories for you. Be prepared to completely unironically get down to the Harlem Shake.
11. Father and Daughter: Paul Simon
Paul Simon is so underrated nowadays that it breaks my heart. Once part of the famous duo Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon has long since been a solo artist. If you love them, you’ll adore Simon’s solo stuff. Fun fact, I discovered this song watching The Wild Thornberrys movie. It definitely wasn’t this summer.
12. You Gotta Be: Des’ree
If I don’t add some old school pop to this playlist, I’ve done my job all wrong. I recently rediscovered this song and have been obsessed ever since. It’s honestly so inspiring. Yes Des’ree, I will be bad, bold, AND wiser!
Get it poppin’, Clemson.