If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I’m always on aux. and there’s a reason. I have a formula for the ultimate party playlist, and it never fails. So if you want to overcome your Aux Anxiety, here’s my simplified (but still somehow overcomplicated) guide to building your perfect party playlist.
Set The Energy
Being on aux requires great responsibility. Music can create, change or maintain the energy or “vibe” of the party. It’s your job to A) analyze the vibe, B) determine if it needs to be changed or maintained (usually if you’re trying to take over aux, the vibe needs to be changed) and C) find the right music to achieve your party goals. The “right” music depends heavily on the type of party. Is this a chill house party with friends in your major? A pregame before a date function or Downtown? A packed apartment party with a questionable theme? Once you’ve been to enough parties, these vibe checks are quick and easy, and everyone will be bopping their heads in no time!
Know Your Audience
The right music also depends on your Party Population. Is it Girls night? Sausage Party? I break down my music by these subcategories. I’ve also included some of the songs from my playlist that fit in these categories.
For The Femmes:
Act Up– City Girls
Pretty Girls– Flo Milli
Her– Megan Thee Stallion
Ain’t Shit– Doja Cat
Do We Have a Problem?– Nicki Minaj
Boy’s a Liar pt. 2– Pinkpantheress, Ice Spice
For The Bros:
Fight Night– Migos (guys go crazy for this song for some reason?)
Superhero– Metro Boomin, Future, Chr*s Br*wn
King Snipe– Gucci Mane
Yah Mean– Playboi Carti
D.M.B– A$AP Rocky
No Role Modelz– J. Cole
Just Wanna Rock– Lil Uzi Vert
Throwbacks:
The Way I Are– Timbaland, Keri Hilson, D.O.E.
No Hands– Waka Flocka Flame
Kiss Me Thru The Phone– Soulja Boy, Sammie
Hotel Room Service– Pitbull
American Boy– Estelle, Kanye West
Come Get Her– Rae Sremmurd
Promiscuous– Nelly Furtado
My Love– Justin Timberlake, T.I.
Fergalicious– Fergie
Classics:
The Spins– Mac Miller
Jordan Belfort– Wes Walker, Dyl
Plain Jane– A$AP Ferg
Doses and Mimosas– Cherub
Sicko Mode– Travis Scott (I don’t care if it’s overplayed. It always hits.)
Jimmy Cooks– Drake, 21 Savage
“Lemme Put You On”:
These are the songs that you don’t normally hear at parties that you think should be played at parties. If you’re like me and spend most of my weekends at different parties or get-togethers, you start to hear the same party songs over and over. It might be a song from my Discover Weekly, an underappreciated throwback, etc. I like to sneak these in every couple of recognizable songs to add some variety for our party population. These should be personalized, so I don’t have as many examples.
Latch– Disclosure
She Wolf– Shakira
Mo’ Liquor– Kari Faux, Smino
LoveGame– Lady Gaga
Party Monster– The Weeknd
I also follow this simple party rule: If the girls are having a good time, then everyone is having a good time.
Respect the Queue
One of the best things you can do as aux holder is allowing your party population to make recommendations. Your job as keeper of the music is to create an enjoyable experience for your party population. Your party goers will be so excited to hear songs that they requested, and will remember your party better for it. At the same time, don’t let people bully you into sacrificing your perfectly curated queue just so they can hear that one song. Pepper your requests throughout your song selections, but don’t lose your playlist in the process!
There you go! In just three easy steps, you’re ready to be the “aux girl” at every party. For those looking for a starting point, here’s my party playlist.