DJ Pardis — Mixtapes

A 2025 mixtape: True love

2025-12-13T00:00:00.000Z

Went in for some late night Guinness.

Keeping the tradition alive, I put together a list of my favorite songs of the year. The subtitle is a track from Ye’s DONDA 2 album. The list is ordered so the songs flow well. Enjoy!

The songs

Never No More by Charley Crockett — Lonesome Drifter.
The song depicts Crockett’s early career struggles, opening with “Feels like Commerce Street / Playing for nickels and dimes, easy money,” a reference to his time busking in Deep Ellum.

The track is full of swagger, mixing in bluesy harmonica and guitar licks. Lonesome Drifter is his major label debut, co-produced with Shooter Jennings.

The album closes with Crockett’s cover of Amarillo By Morning, originally written by Terry Stafford and Paul Fraser in 1973 and made famous by George Strait in 1982.

DIE TRYING by PARTYNEXTDOOR, Drake & Yebba — $ome $exy $ongs 4 U.
In this collab, Drake explores emotional purgatory, torn between yearning for commitment and the instinct to escape. Produced by Jordan Ullman of Majid Jordan, the track features a guitar instrumental. PARTYNEXTDOOR adds a melodic element in the post-chorus, while Yebba delivers the song’s emotional gut punch in the outro.

The track was released on Valentine’s Day ♥ as part of PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s collaborative album.

Azizam by Ed Sheeran — Play.
The lead single from Ed Sheeran’s eighth studio album showcases a vibrant dance beat infused with Persian influences. Produced alongside Swedish-Iranian producer Ilya Salmanzadeh, the track features Iranian and Indian artists playing traditional instruments including ghatam, daf, santoor, hammered dulcimer, and lute.

The title “azizam” translates to “my dear” in Persian. Sheeran describes how working with Salmanzadeh opened a door to a completely new world, finding surprising similarities between Persian music and the Irish traditional music he grew up with. The song debuted at number three on the UK Singles Chart and topped charts in Belgium and the Netherlands.

The music video, directed by Iranian-American filmmaker Saman Kesh and featuring cameos from Iranian pop legends Googoosh and Andy and comedian Omid Djalili, is a loving celebration of Persian culture.

The track is a nod to Asal by Iranian artist Davood Behboodi (1986).

See 4:08.

And 1:26.

Bang Bien by Nightmares On Wax feat. Yasiin Bey — Echo45 Sound System.
George Evelyn, an English DJ and producer known as Nightmares On Wax, teams up with Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) for this hypnotic track from the album Echo45 Sound System. The album title pays homage to an old speaker box named “Echo45” that Evelyn bought for five pounds from his mum, which ultimately changed the course of his life.

The title comes from the Vietnamese phrase “bằng biển,” which means “as vast as the sea” or “equal to the sea”.

The song is a journey that merges soul, roots, hip-hop, dub, and electronic textures. The track features many loops that get caught in your head, characteristic of the Leeds sound system culture that shaped Evelyn’s musical foundation.

From here.

TRUE LOVE by Ye feat. XXXTentacion — DONDA 2.
TRUE LOVE opens the album as a slow track featuring synths, where Ye discusses his estrangement from his children following his divorce. XXXTentacion appears posthumously on the hook, with the late rapper’s emotional vocals matching Ye’s rapping.

Produced by Ye alongside Ojivolta, Mike Dean, and John Cunningham, the track samples at 0:22 The Basement by Pete Rock & CL Smooth (featuring Heavy D, Deda, Grap Luva and Rob-O) from the 1992 album Mecca and the Soul Brother. This is the same drum break Ye used on his 2010 Runaway.

Check out Runaway at 0:38. Thank you, WhoSampled.

Big Daddy by Tems — Love Is A Kingdom.
Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems continues to showcase her distinctive sound on this track from her album Love Is A Kingdom. Tems has become one of Africa’s most prominent musical exports, building on the success of her previous work, including collaborations with major artists and her critically acclaimed releases.

High (Acoustic) by Jorja Smith — Single.
British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith returns with this stripped-down acoustic version of her house-infused single High. The original was released in July 2024.

Smith explains the song is about finding a friend within herself, noting “even through the lows, you have to find the highs.” The acoustic rendering showcases Smith’s versatile vocals.

Gotta Do It by Big K.R.I.T. — Dedicated to Cadalee Biarritz.
Mississippi rapper Big K.R.I.T. delivers this track about taking risks, grinding through the ugly parts, and making tough decisions needed to succeed. Produced by Joey Bates and Laco Xxx, the song is fun and upbeat, maintaining the project’s playful, car-themed aesthetic with its repetitive, infectious chorus.

Gotta Do It appears on Dedicated to Cadalee Biarritz Vol. 1, released December 5, marking K.R.I.T.’s creative resurgence. The track details perseverance and pays homage to Southern rap pioneers like UGK, MJG, and 8Ball, who paved the way.

California Sober by PremRock — Did You Enjoy Your Time Here…?
Produced by legendary Blockhead (Aesop Rock collaborator), using the iconic Shigeo Sekito sample The Word II — the same 1970s Japanese electone piece famously sampled by Mac DeMarco on Chamber of Reflection and Travis Scott on How U Feel. The electone is a Japanese electronic organ that gained worldwide recognition through hip-hop, Balearic, and dream pop sampling.

The song reckons with a situation that provides no closure — jumping around in time, making references to A Streetcar Named Desire, exploring the feelings from a lack of finality.

Arrive five years older, three years late
Salt and pepper smolder, California sober.

PremRock is half of ShrapKnel (with Curly Castro) and one of rap’s premier lyricists, known for his tactical, precise flow and sharp, evocative writing. This is a classic Blockhead production meeting underground NY rap excellence.

Bonnet Of Pins by Matt Berninger — Get Sunk.
The National’s frontman Matt Berninger delivers stadium-sized indie rock with driving drums and live-wire guitars, backed by a burst of horns and choral backing vocals. This lead single from his second solo album came after a long period of writer’s block.

The track showcases Berninger’s knack for world-building through tiny details like cigarettes and styrofoam cups. Here’s an example.

I don’t care how many times you almost said you missed me
It’s a cup trick shell game, it’s a puff of smoke
And it gets me every time, it’s a pretty good joke
I know that you miss me, I know that you miss me
This stuff takes a lifetime

Sheltered by The Castellows — Homecoming.
Georgia sister trio The Castellows deliver this autobiographical tune exploring their unique life experiences being homeschooled and growing up on a farm. The track features a percussive intro and smooth electric guitar riff that gives it a pointed nod to ’70s country-rock.

Circa 1943 by Chase Rice — Eldora.
The track was written in the quiet mountain town of Eldora, Colorado, shortly after Rice performed at Red Rocks. A poignant ballad inspired by his grandparents Harold and Berniece, from Superior, Montana, though the story is fictionalized.

The Longer You Hold On by Colter Wall — Memories and Empties.
Canadian songwriter Colter Wall channels the spirit of Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings on this track about waiting for the other shoe to drop. Wall explains it’s “just the old country theme of nearing the end of a fading love and knowing it.”

The song appears on his fifth studio album, Memories and Empties. Wall’s baritone voice delivers the heartbreak with the line “I can tell you’re just trying to choose your moment / The longer you hold on, the further down I’ll fall.”

The album also includes a cover of Canadian folk legend Ian Tyson’s Summer Wages, originally released on Ian and Sylvia’s 1967 album So Much For Dreaming.

Touch Me Like a Gangster by Jessie Murph — Sex Hysteria.
The Alabama prodigy delivers a bold, BDSM-themed track with uniquely raspy vocals that lean into the confident and honest songwriting. The song features an instrumental consisting of strings and percussion with backbeats.

Trapezoid by Nicholas Craven & Boldy James — Late to My Own Funeral.
Montreal producer Nicholas Craven and Detroit rapper Boldy James reunite for this chipmunk soul track. The song samples Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams’ Just the Way You Are from their 1978 album.

The album showcases Craven’s talent for selecting samples and expert chopping, creating an ideal backdrop for Boldy to perform at his best.

Documents by Slick Rick feat. Nas — VICTORY.
Hip-hop legend Slick Rick returns after a 26-year hiatus with his first album, VICTORY, marking his comeback through a deal with Mass Appeal Records, the label founded by Nas. Documents is the tenth track featuring Nas himself, who shares a long history of collaborations with Slick Rick.

The album was mostly recorded in London and produced by Slick Rick alongside Parker Ighile. VICTORY sees the master storyteller bringing his signature narrative rap style. The song’s title and Nas collaboration make it a standout on an album that critics praised as remarkable.

Riders Of The Moon by Arc De Soleil — Lumin Rain.
Arc De Soleil is one of the many monikers of composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Kadawatha. He was inspired by his father’s love for the Spotnicks (Swedish instrumental rock band from the 60s) and their guitar-driven sound. Creating music for Arc De Soleil was more of a return to something very natural, drawing on the vintage sounds of the Spotnicks and the Shadows (British instrumental rock group from the 60s).

Blood In The Sky by Skegss — Top Heavy.
Australian surf-rock duo Skegss from Byron Bay deliver a song that intertwines energizing surf-rock with the relaxed, melodic sounds of bossa nova. The track dives into Allah-Las or Rolling Stones territory, fusing Western guitar tones and sultry piano to create a modern elegy.

Sunny Storms by De La Soul — Cabin In The Sky.
Produced by DJ Premier, Sunny Storms stands out early on De La Soul’s comeback album Cabin In The Sky, released as part of Mass Appeal’s “Legend Has It” series.

Posdnuos (one third of the hip hop trio De La Soul) steps into the role of a veteran emcee who guides listeners without lecturing, with the first verse symbolizing the sun with optimism and encouragement, while the second represents the storm reflecting on aging and shifting priorities.

DJ Premier, one-half of Gang Starr and one of hip-hop’s most respected producers, is known for his pristine sampling techniques. His scratching precision brings classic rap cuts to life. The track samples Jean Carn’s Completeness from her 1982 Motown album, Trust Me. It also contains elements of New Edition’s Can You Stand the Rain and Gang Starr’s Full Clip. See a more complete list of sampled songs here.

Pos raps “as we got older, we talk healthier,” showing how wisdom calms you down. This marks the duo’s first proper album since 2016’s and the Anonymous Nobody, created after the passing of member Trugoy the Dove.

Wish I Didn’t Know Now by Ella Langley—Single (Apple Music Sessions).
The track was originally released on the deluxe edition of Ella Langley’s debut album, still hungover, in November 2024.

Langley released a special Apple Music Sessions version on July 1st as part of a tribute project honoring the late Toby Keith. The song was originally written and recorded by Toby Keith in 1994, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The title lyric was actually inspired by Bob Seger’s Against the Wind.

[Pre-Chorus]
And I remember what she said to me
How she swore that it never would end
I remember how she held me, oh, so tight
Wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then

Her rendition peaked at #14 on both the US and Australian iTunes charts.

Streaming options

The playlist is available on Apple Music, TIDAL, and Spotify.

Thank you for reading and listening. Please get in touch. I’d love to know your favorite songs of the year.

Peace,
DJ Pardis

A 2024 mixtape: Just to be here on this train once again

2025-01-03T00:00:00.000Z

The subtitle is from the song Crystal Chandeliers and Burgundy by Charley Crockett. It is a cover of the 1974 song by Johnny Cash.

Although I’m mixing across genres, I did my best to order the songs so they flow well together. Enjoy!

The songs

Mission Statement by Wale & T-Minus — Ghetto Speak.
Wale is a rapper from Washington, D.C., who recently signed with Def Jam. T-Minus is a Canadian producer who contributed to eight Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year for his work on Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City.

Oak Island by Zach Bryan — The Great American Bar Scene.
I love this style of storytelling through a song, which is what you call a folk song. Oak Island most likely refers to Oak Island Junction in New Jersey, a freight railyard. My favorite part of the song is the instrumental outro, featuring cymbals, trumpet, and guitar. It reminds me of old-school rock songs, where the track doesn’t end until the musicians get a chance to show off their skills one last time.

Cowboy Songs by George Birge — Cowboy Songs.
George Birge is an Austin-born, Nashville-based artist who released his first EP, Cowboy Songs, under RECORDS Nashville.

Love Somebody by Morgan Wallen — Single.
At first listen, I sensed strong ’80s influences in this song. After doing some digging, I found the closest melody. It’s a 2006 song by British singer-songwriter Mika called Relax, Take It Easy. Mika, in turn, interpolates from the British rock band Cutting Crew’s hit single (I Just) Died in Your Arms, which was released in 1986.

See the comparisons between Relax and Love Somebody below, cued at the right spot in both videos.

Out Of My Mind by Kashus Culpepper — Single.
Out Of My Mind is one of the first songs Alabama-born singer-songwriter Kashus Culpepper has ever written. The song is about the aftermath of a relationship. I love this description of the song from Complete Country magazine.

A break within the four-minute odyssey enlivens things, starring plucking banjo and an optimistic plunk, painting details with hope of recovery and a group-sing backdrop, just to plummet back into the grimy, swamp-tinged swagger of the song’s start.

Summer ’24 by Benny the Butcher & Black Soprano Family — Single.
I love these beats. The single was produced by Nyckles from Brussels and Harlem Zone from NYC.

I Never Lie by Zach Top — Cold Beer & Country Music.
Top co-wrote the song with Carson Chamberlain and Tim Nichols. Chamberlain produced the song I Never Lie, which became a part of Top’s debut album.

Dasha’s song, Austin, finally encouraged me to do line dancing. Thank you, Dasha! 💕 Along with I Never Lie, some other popular line dance songs of 2024 were A Bar Song by Shaboozey and TEXAS HOLD ’EM by Beyoncé.

The Aftermath by Carter Faith — The Aftermath–EP.
Carter Faith is a country music singer-songwriter from North Carolina. The Aftermath EP consists of five songs, including another one of my favorites, Strong Stuff. She supported both Midland and Luke Grimes on tour.

BOLIVIAN JEANINE by Hus KingPin — THE OLYMPICS TAPE: FIRST SESSION–EP.
Hus KingPin is a rapper from Brooklyn. I didn’t find much more about this album.

REEKYOD by Madlib, Black Thought & Your Old Droog — Single.
See this quote from Rock The Bells magazine.

REEKYOD serves as more than a song — it’s a declaration of artistic freedom and a celebration of Hip-Hop’s enduring legacy by three musicians who play distinct and vital roles within the genre.

Boulder by Navy Blue — Memoirs in Armour.
Genius offers a masterful summary of the song.

Track 2 titled “Boulder” from [Memoirs in Armour] moves speedier than the rest of the album sonically, but fitting nevertheless. Producer Chuck Strangers continues Navy Blues style of repetitive chopped pianos, but unlike the intro “Take Heed” this song has a more journeyman sonic to it. This is fitting with Navy Blue’s abstract explanation of the journey of becoming older and being confronted by his past experiences.

Laredo by Leon Bridges— Leon.
Leon Bridges was born in Atlanta and raised in Fort Worth. The song is inspired by an experience Leon had in the border town of Laredo, which lies on the north bank of the Rio Grande. There was a dance competition where he was mesmerized by a dancer’s performance. He still remembers her vividly, even after 10 years.

I knew a girl with a diamond crown
Grew up in a border town
Took me to an empty dive
Such a pretty silhouette
Show me how to two-step
She brings me back to life

Seven Weeks in County by Billy Strings — Single.
Billy Strings is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and bluegrass musician, originally from Michigan. This single is a homage to the spaghetti westerns of the 1960s, as is portrayed in the music video.

See this summary from Bluegrass Today.

It’s a fine song, with a decidedly western theme, about a man locked up in a small town jail, who recognizes that he alone is responsible for all the trouble he’s in.

Solitary Road by Charley Crockett— $10 Cowboy.
Charley Crockett appears twice on this post because he released two excellent albums in 2024. I saw him perform live this year.

weren’t for the wind by Ella Langley — still hungover.
Ella Langley is a country music singer-songwriter from Alabama. She’s had an amazing 2024 with the release of her 19-song deluxe album “still hungover,” which includes a number of hits, including you look like you love me, her sensational duet with Riley Green.

Worst Way by Riley Green — Way Out Here.
Riley is skipping the wine and the flowers and giving us the absolute hottest song of the year. He mentions Eric Church’s Like a Wrecking Ball as the inspiration for Worst Way.

How Low Can You Go by Charley Crockett — Visions of Dallas.
“Visions of Dallas” is the follow-up to Charley’s spring album “$10 Cowboy.” It contains a number of covers, including Crystal Chandeliers And Burgundy (Johnny Cash), Loser’s Lounge (Ringo Starr), Loretta (Townes Van Zandt), and Goodbye Holly (Bob Dylan). Further, he puts his storytelling abilities on full display in Killers of the Flower Moon.

DBZ (feat. Madlib) by Your Old Droog , Method Man & Denzel Curry — Movie.
DBZ is Droog, Johnny Blaze (Method Man), and Zeltron 6 Billion (Denzel Curry). DBZ is also the Japanese anime series Dragon Ball Z.

From here.

Produced by Madlib, the song samples Deep Shadows by Little Ann.

Ain’t Giving Up by Duke Dumont & Clementine Douglas — Single.
I love this description of the song by edm.com magazine.

Melancholy meets determination in the new single, which finds Dumont teaming up with “Miracle Maker” songstress Clementine Douglas to construct an evocative journey that encapsulates the sheer essence of human resilience. Out now via Astralwerks, the song’s lyrics unfold a powerful emotional narrative as its influential producer crafts cascading waves of melodic synths and deep sense of rhythm.

Circadian Rhythm by Drake — 100 GIGS.
Drake released Circadian Rhythm, along with SOD and No Face, via his IG burner account. London Cyr, Ben10k, Eli Brown & Gordo are listed as producers.

Change Me by BigXthaPlug — Single.
Xavier Landum, better known as BigXthaPlug, is a rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Inspired by 1970s and 1980s hip hop, Change Me is his second single from his second studio album, Take Care.

Streaming options

The playlist is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and TIDAL.

I’d love to know your favorite songs of the year; please get in touch! And happy 2025!

Peace,
DJ Pardis

A 2023 mixtape: It’s a cruel summer with you

2024-01-01T00:00:00.000Z

The subtitle is from the song Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift. It was the first full song on her setlist during the Eras Tour. My favorite recording of the Lover album is from her excellent Tiny Desk Concert in 2019.

And now I present to you some of the outstanding songs of 2023. The list is ordered so the songs flow well. Enjoy!

The songs

Saving Up by Dom Dolla — Single.
Dom Dolla is an Australian house music producer—the song Saving Up features vocals by Clementine Douglas. Like many others in Dom Dolla’s catalog, the song is a nice mixture of disco and house.

Pink Friday Girls by Nicki Minaj — Pink Friday 2.
The track samples Cyndi Lauper’s 1983 hit Girls Just Want to Have Fun. According to Genius, Cyndi Lauper has been an important influence on Nicki since early in her career.

You by Miley Cyrus — Endless Summer Vacation.
This song was debuted on Miley’s NYE Party in 2021 and released last March as part of her eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation.

Quaranta by Danny Brown — Quaranta.
Quaranta is the sixth studio album by rapper Danny Brown, and means “40” in Italian. In his words, it is an album in which he “explor[es] his experiences with pain, isolation, and hitting rock bottom.”

Me & U by Tems — Single.
Me & U is a single by Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems. She spoke about the meaning of the track, saying: “‘Me & U’ is about discovering the real me, building a genuine relationship with the Creator, and gaining a true perception of self.”

Paint The Town Red by Doja Cat — Scarlet.
The song was written by Doja Cat and produced by Earl on the Beat, Rubin, Jean-Baptiste, and DJ Replay. It beautifully samples Dionne Warwick’s 1964 song Walk On By.

MY EYES by Travis Scott — UTOPIA.
In MY EYES, Travis Scott talks about his struggles and obstacles in life. Produced by himself, Wheezy, WondaGurl, Vegyn, Buddy Ross, and Justin Vernon, the track samples The Japanese House 2023 song Over There.

Snooze (Acoustic) (feat. Justin Bieber) by SZA — Single.
This song, featuring Justin Bieber, is an acoustic cover of the song Snooze from SZA’s 2022 album SOS.

cindy lou who by Sabrina Carpenter — fruitcake.
Cindy Lou Who, a character in the movie How The Grinch Stole Christmas, represents Sabrina’s ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend.

Jealous by Mochakk — Single.
This high-energy house track is by Brazilian producer and DJ, Mochakk. It samples disco star Loleatta Holloway’s 1976 classic, Dreaming. The sampled version is even more dramatic than the original. I love it.

What’s That All About (feat. LaRussell) by DJ.Fresh — The Tonite Show.
Marqus Brown, known as DJ.Fresh, is a hip hop artist based in Oakland and LA. The Tonite Show is an album series he started in 2005 which he produces with guest artists. LaRussell Thomas is a rapper from Vallejo, California. He is also the founder of Good Compenny, an organization that helps to promote rising Bay Area artists.

I Remember Everything (feat. Kacey Musgraves) by Zach Bryan — Zach Bryan.
"Rotgut" is slang for low-quality liquor or beer and first appeared in print in 1633. The song is about a summer romance in an “88 Ford.” Zach Bryan is a country music singer-songwriter from Oklahoma. Kacey Musgraves is a country singer-songwriter from Texas.

No Horse To Ride by Luke Grimes — Pain Pills or Pews.
Luke Grimes is an actor and musician. He stars as Kayce Dutton in the drama series Yellowstone. No Horse To Ride is the first song on his debut EP, Pain Pills or Pews.

Wild Ones by Jessie Murph & Jelly Roll — Single.
Jessie Murph is a singer and songwriter from Athens, Alabama. Jelly Roll is a rapper, singer, and songwriter from Antioch, Tennessee. According to Wikipedia,

The song blends elements of country and hip hop music. It uses a hip-hop beat including jangly acoustic guitar samples.

ten by Fred again.. & Jozzy— Single.
According to edm.com, Fred again.. said the song is inspired by the feeling of “missing home.” Fred again.. is an English record producer, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and DJ. Jozzy is a Memphis-based singer and songwriter. She is best known for co-writing Old Town Road, Lemonade, Mr. Right Now, and Virgo’s Groove, among others.

Siara by Dan Zeitune & T_Asco — Yolana.
It’s almost impossible to find anything about this album. I found Dan’s IG account, but that’s about it. I first came across this song on SD Loyal’s Twitter account.

SORRY NOT SORRY by Tyler, The Creator — CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale.
The music video for SORRY NOT SORRY has all his past characters from every album in his discography confronting each other. The song contains two samples from the 1978 song He Made You Mine.

The Glass by H.E.R. & Foo Fighters — Single.
H.E.R.’s cover of the Foo Fighters’ The Glass, was first previewed on SNL in October. Foo Fighters’ recording of The Glass appears on their studio album But Here We Are, which was released earlier this year.

Talk To Me Nice by Tinashe — BB/ANG3L.
Produced by Nosaj Thing & Scoop DeVille, Talk To Me Nice is Tinashe’s lead single from her upcoming album BB/ANG3L.

Vin Skully by Earl Sweatshirt & The Alchemist — VOIR DIRE.
This is the first full-length collaboration between the former Odd Future rapper Earl Sweatshirt and veteran producer Uncle Al. The track makes reference to the career of Vin Scully, who was the play-by-play announcer for the Brooklyn/LA Dodgers for 67 years.

Streaming options

The playlist is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and TIDAL.

Thank you for reading and listening. I’d love to know your favorite songs of the year, please get in touch!

Peace,
DJ Pardis

A 2022 mixtape: The world is yours

2022-11-18T00:00:00.000Z

Keeping the now 5-year-old tradition, I put together a list of some of my favorite songs of the year (so far). I am publishing this a bit early this year. It’s going to be a busy December and I wanted to make sure to get it done. The list is ordered so the songs flow well. Enjoy!

The songs

Creepin’ — Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, & 21 Savage.
The buttery smooth song, produced by Metro, is a cover of the 2004 R&B hit I Don’t Wanna Know. Interestingly, the 2004 song samples Boadicea — a 1986 instrumental by Irish singer and songwriter Enya. Boadicea was also sampled by the Fugees in the 1996 hit Ready or Not.

I loved the comic book illustrations that Metro released, announcing his collaborators on the album.

Vegas by Doja Cat —ELVIS (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
This song was released as the lead single from the soundtrack of Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley biopic, ELVIS. Produced by Yeti Beats and Rogét Chahayed, the song samples Hound Dog by Shonka Dukureh—also released as part of the movie soundtrack.

The 2022 version of Hound Dog, is a cover of the 1952 classic by Big Mama Thornton. Elvis released his famous cover of the song in 1956.

I got a chance to watch the movie in theaters and highly recommend it.

Extra Credit by Big K.R.I.T. — Single. Extra Credit is another great single from the Mississippi-born rapper. You might be interested to know that K.R.I.T. stands for King Remembered In Time.

Couldn’t Be Done (feat. Kelly Price) by Freddie Gibbs — $oul $old $eparately.
Produced by Super Miles and Swoope the song samples the 1973 Norman Feels song entitled They Said It Couldn’t Be Done.

Leak It by Ari Lennox & Chlöe — age/sex/location.
This song is written by Chlöe, Ari Lennox, WU10 and Cardiak and produced by WU10 and Cardiak and is a work of art. No filters necessary.

Betty (Get Money) by Yung Gravy — Single.
Matthew Hauri, better known as Yung Gravy, is a rapper from Minnesota. Here’s the music video for this uplifting song.

Alive (Solomun Remix) by RÜFÜS DU SOL — Surrender (Remixes).
RÜFÜS is an Australian dance group from Sydney. Solomun is a Bosnian-German DJ. Alive was originally released in 2021 as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Surrender.

The Root of All (feat. Lil Wayne) by Preemo & Slick Rick — Hip Hop 50: Vol. 1.
This song is made by hip hop legends. It’s the first official collaboration of Lil Wayne with Slick Rick and Lil Wayne with DJ Premier.

Hexie Mountains by Orville Peck — Bronco.
Orville Peck is a South African country musician based in Canada. Bronco is his second studio album. He takes inspiration from 60s and 70s country and California psychedelic rock music. The music video is full on vibes.

Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez — Single.
This song is a modern tribute to the music of the 40s, 50s, and 60s and is about Sanchez’s girlfriend, Georgia. Here’s what he told ABC Audio,

African-American groups like The Platters and The Ink Spots…I mean, they gave so much soul and heart into their music…the way that they sang about love was just so incredible.

Hotel by Montell Fish — Single.
Written and produced by himself, Hotel is Montell’s first single after his debut album Jamie.

Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) by Kate Bush — Hounds of Love.
Released in 1985, it’s odd to include this song on this list. But due to its appearance in Stranger Things in May 2022, Running Up That Hill peaked in charts all around the world. And given we were already in the midst of overdosing on 80s nostalgia, the song became an anthem for the year.

Black Leaves by KIRBY — Single.
My list would be incomplete without a KIRBY song. This single is the theme song for ABC’s new limited series Women Of The Movement.

I’M THAT GIRL by Beyoncé — RENAISSANCE.
It was difficult to pick just one song from this album. Produced by Beyoncé and Kelman Duran, I’M THAT GIRL samples Still Pimpin—a 1994 song by Memphis producer Tommy Wright III, featuring vocals by Princess Loko.

Somebody Like You by Bree Runway — Single.
Bree Runway is a British rapper and songwriter who considers her songs to be genre-fluid and spanning pop, trap, dance, R&B, rock, and hyperpop. I’m absolutely in love with her voice.

WAIT FOR U (feat. Drake & Tems) [Instrumental] by Future — I NEVER LIKED YOU.
I love instrumentals and am excited about the full instrumental version of I NEVER LIKED YOU. Produced by FnZ and ATL Jacob, WAIT FOR YOU samples the song Higher by Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems.

MS. MURAL by Lupe Fiasco —Drill Music in Zion.
This song is the final installment of Lupe’s Mural trilogy, following Mural Jr. and Mural. The naming convention draws from the Pac-Man series of arcade games. The album cover hints at a Pac-Man character.

Album cover on the left; screenshot of a game of Pac-Man on the right.

Mariella by Khruangbin & Leon Bridges — Texas Moon.
I love this quote by Leon Bridges, from this FLOOD magazine article.

Yeah, that was a melody I wanted to get off for a minute and I just kind of envisioned myself as an old man in a small town in Texas, disconnected from everything and reminiscing about this gal I met on tour. It was the marriage of country and R&B in that way, and I was thinking, “How would Willie Nelson approach this tune?”

From here.

Million Dollars Worth of Game (feat. 42 Dugg) by 2 Chainz — Dope Don’t Sell Itself.
Produced by Lil Ju Made Da Beat, this song masterfully samples a 1955 song called Neele Aasmani by Geeta Dutt. The beats are out of this world.

Scooby Snacks (feat. Mach-Hommy) by Your Old Droog — YOD Wave.
Your Old Droog (YOD) is a producer and rapper from Brooklyn, Mach-Hommy is a rapper from New Jersey. At the time of writing, Your Old Droog has released 10 studio albums and EPs in 2022 alone.

Streaming options

The playlist is available on Apple Music, TIDAL, and Spotify.

Thank you for reading and listening. Let me know your favorites this year!

Peace,
DJ Pardis

A 2021 mixtape: Everlasting game

2021-12-27T00:00:00.000Z

Expressionist modern architecture.

Keeping the 4-year-old tradition, I put together a list of some of my favorite songs. The list is ordered so the songs flow well. I hope you like it.

The songs

Everlasting Game (feat. Masta Ace & DJ Ill Dijitz) by Awon & Phoniks — Nothing Less.
Quoting directly from the album description,

[Nothing Less] is laced with Phoniks signature jazz-infused, boom bap production style and Awon’s raw, honest lyricism. Produced on vintage samplers like the gritty Emu SP-1200 and Akai MPC 2000xl the music evokes memories of classic east coast “golden era” hip hop.

Big Boss Rabbit by Freddie Gibbs — Single.
I was lucky to catch Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist this year on their Alfredo tour. Following the success of 2019’s Bandana and 2020’s Alfredo, Gibbs delivers again with the single Big Boss Rabbit in 2021.

Real Affair (Remix) by Tiana Major9 & Vince Staples — Single.
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Tiana Major9 is from East London. I love the Vince Staples verse in this remix of the song produced by PRGRSHN & WAVSDNTDIE.

Blame the Internet by KIRBY— Sis. He Wasn’t the One.
A follow-up to her first LP, Sis, KIRBY’s latest EP is inspired by her personal experiences with modern love. Written by KIRBY herself, Blame the Internet is a heartfelt song.

Own the song. I don’t care whose pen wrote [the song]. The moment your voice touches it, you give it life, personality and emotion. There’s a story being told in every note you sing. Your voice is another opportunity to write the song.

—KIRBY, interviewed on HYPEBAE

Lost in Time (Park Jams) by Evidence — Unlearning Vol. 1.
Unlearning Vol. 1 is the sixth studio album for Evidence, an MC and producer from Venice Beach.

Smooth by BJ The Chicago Kid — Single.
Produced by longtime collaborator Jairus “JMo” Mozee and Charlie Bereal, Smooth is a single by singer-songwriter BJ. The single was announced after the release of his most recent EP entitled 4 AM.

Knock Knock by MED — Bad Neighbor.
The song, produced by Madlib and featuring MF DOOM, samples Bernie Worrell’s 1978 song I’ll Be With You.

Black Gold (feat. Thundercat) by Flying Lotus — Black Gold / Between Memories.
A song from the Netflix show Yasuke, Black Gold is based on a true story. FlyLo, a producer, DJ, and rapper from LA, makes his anime scoring debut with Yasuke. Thundercat is a bass guitarist, singer, and songwriter from LA.

From here.

Best Of Me (Originals) by Alicia Keys — KEYS.
Produced by Sam Morton & Alicia Keys, this song masterfully interpolates Sade’s Cherish the Day.

There’s an Unlocked version of the song on the album that samples the original version and gets its own music video.

Original = classy.

In My Room by ILoveMakonnen— DMW007.
Drink More Water 007 is LA-based ILoveMakonnen’s 7th album.

Flowerbug (Interlude) by Sunni Colón — Single.
Sunni Colón is a singer, songwriter, producer, and director from LA. He released an extended version of the self-directed video on Twitter.

LOST YOU by Snoh Aalegra — TEMPORARY HIGHS IN VIOLET SKIES.
Temporary Highs in Violet Skies is the third studio album by LA-based singer Snoh Aalegra. The album is nominated for Best R&B Album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.

Cool Ways by Declaime — In the Beginning Vol. 1.
Dudley Perkins (aka Declaime) is a rapper from Oxnard, California. Produced by Madlib, In the Beginning Vol. 1 features collaborations from the 90s that were previously unreleased.

B-Side by Khruangbin & Leon Bridges — Texas Moon.
Inspired by 1960s Thai funk and music from Spain and the Middle East, Khruangbin is a three-person band from Texas. Texas Moon is their second collaborative EP with singer-songwriter Leon Bridges.

Last thing I remembered by Big O — The Mind’s Mirror.
The Mind’s Mirror is the third LP by UK-based producer Big O. This particular track caught my attention because it samples the conversation in the cafe scene from Inception.

Cobb: […] Let me ask you a question, you, you never really remember the beginning of a dream do you? You always wind up right in the middle of what’s going on.
Ariadne: I guess, yeah.
Cobb: So how did we end up here?
Ariadne: Well we just came from the a…
Cobb: Think about it Ariadne, how did you get here? Where are you right now?

What’s Next by Drake — Scary Hours 2.
Scary Hours 2 is the fourth EP by Canadian rapper Drake. What’s Next is Drake’s eight chart-topping single in the US. The associated music video was filmed all over Toronto.

95 Bodega by Killah Priest — Summer End Cafe.
Killah Priest is part of the hip hop supergroup, The HRSMN (aka The Four Horsemen), along with Canibus, Ras Kass, and Kurupt. Raised in Brooklyn, he’s also a Wu-Tang affiliate.

Two for 2 - For Dilla by Madlib — Sound Ancestors.
Sound Ancestors is Madlib’s 11th solo album. Produced by Madlib, the album was arranged and mastered by the English musician Four Tet.

Two for 2 — For Dilla is for Jay Dee, Madlib’s longtime collaborator, friend, and one of the most influential producers in hip hop. The song includes two beautiful samples. One is Sly, Slick and Wicked’s Love Gonna Pack Up (And Walk Out).

The other is Mary Holmes’ I’ll Make It Up To You.

I can’t stop listening to these songs.

While we are on the topic of world-class music production and Jay Dee, don’t miss Think Twice (DJ Muro’s KG Mix) from J Dilla’s Welcome 2 Detroit, reissued in 2021 by BBE Music.

Welcome 2 Detroit — The 20th Anniversary Edition.

No Instructions by Benny The Butcher & Harry Fraud — The Plugs I Met 2.
Harry Fraud beautifully samples Masayoshi Takanaka’s You Can Never Come To This Place throughout the song.

The Rainbow Goblins was released in 1981 in Japan.

Super Series (feat. Larry June) by Curren$y & Harry Fraud — Regatta.
Spitta and Harry Fraud team up yet again to release Regatta. Super Series is one of the best songs on the EP, featuring San Francisco native Larry June.

Streaming options

The playlist is available on Apple Music, TIDAL, and Spotify.

Thank you for reading and listening!

Peace,
DJ Pardis

A 2020 mixtape: As long as there is something to strive for

2021-01-03T00:00:00.000Z

Outdoor dining, 2020 style.

Following the tradition from the last two years, I picked out 20 of my favorite songs from 2020. They are ordered such that they flow well together.

The songs

FRANCHISE (feat. Young Thug & M.I.A.) by Travis Scott — Single.
This Travis Scott single interpolates Dem Franchize Boyz’ 2004 single, White Tee. In this video, SLAPSTAR creates a cool mix of the two music videos (from 2004 and 2020). Dem Franchize Boyz, an Atlanta hip hop group, is credited for turning the white tee into a statement piece. The song’s name, is in reference to the group and to the McDonald’s franchise.

Apple by KIRBY—Sis.
This song is from the debut album of KIRBY, a Memphis-born, Mississippi-raised, singer and seasoned songwriter. Signed to Roc Nation, she has written for the likes of Beyoncé, Kanye West, Rihanna, Paul McCartney, Jennifer Lopez, and Common.

Prey 4 Da Sheep (feat. Big Boi) by Goodie Mob — Survival Kit.
Goodie Mob is a 4-member hip hop group (Big Gipp, Cee-Lo Green, Khujo, and T-M) based in Atlanta. Big Boi is a member of the Atlanta hip hop duo Outkast. This beautiful song is produced by Organized Noize (Rico Wade, Ray Murray, and Sleepy Brown), one of the most iconic group of producers in Southern Hip Hop.

Grey October (feat. Evidence) by Boldy James—The Price of Tea In China.
Detroit veteran rapper Boldy James had a successful 2020, releasing two studio albums. The Price of Tea In China is produced by The Alchemist, a prominent producer and Eminem’s official DJ. The album features Benny The Butcher, Evidence, Freddie Gibbs, and Vince Staples. This playlist also contains a song from Boldy’s other 2020 album, Real Bad Boldy.

Beat Cry by Young Scooter, Zaytoven & Chief Keef—Zaystreet.
Atlanta rapper Young Scooter is the CEO of the label, Black Migo Gang. Like Boldy James, he has released two studio albums last year. In Beat Cry, Young Scooter sings the praise of the prominent producer, Zaytoven, who has also produced the album. The title of the song caught my attention because of a similarly titled JAY-Z song, produced by Just Blaze.

Dough by Key Glock—Yellow Tape.
Key Glock is the cousin and protégé of Memphis rapper Young Dolph, who is featured later in this playlist. Yellow Tape is his fifth solo mixtape. Dough is produced by BandPlay, his frequent collaborator with the tag, “Let The BANDPLAY.” The chorus of Dough is an interpolation of Snoop’s verse in Nuthin’ But a G Thang by Dr. Dre.

Ego Death (feat. Kanye West, FKA twigs & Skrillex) by Ty Dolla $ign — Featuring Ty Dolla $ign.
Ego Death is the lead single from Ty’s third studio album, Featuring Ty Dolla Sign. The song is reminiscent of Kanye and Ty Dolla Sign’s previous house collaboration, Fade.

Teyana Taylor in the Fade music video.

The song’s outro contains a sample of Queen Latifah’s 1989 Dance for Me.

Greatness.

Sins of the Father (feat. Roc Marci) by KA—Descendants of Cain.
Descendants of Cain is Brooklyn rapper KA’s seventh album. Roc Marciano is Long Island rapper, songwriter, and producer. The intro to the song, Sins of the Father, is a sample from the movie The Ten Commandments (1956).

Makeitliveforever by Knxwledge—1988.
The album contains 20 instrumentals and 2 lyrical tracks featuring Anderson .Paak. This instrumental samples Tyrone Davis’ Ain’t Nothing I Can Do.

Light Bill (feat. Meyhem Lauren) by Boldy James & Real Bad Man—Real Bad Boldy.
Produced by LA-based Real Bad Man, Light Bill is my favorite song from the album. Let me know if you ever find the 🔥 sample used by Real Bad Man.

The car has a face!!

Makeudreamm by Knxwledge—Meek, Vol. 5.
There’s not much information online about this song or album, but it was too good to leave out from my playlist. It samples Meek Mill’s verse in the Phat Geez song, The Life.

Thanks to Genius for helping me track this down.

RNB (feat. Megan Thee Stallion) by Young Dolph — Rich Slave.
RNB, released as a single, is now part of Memphis artist Young Dolph’s sixth studio album. It features renowned Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion. The song is produced by Sosa 808 and Juicy J.

From Megan’s verse.

No Opp Left Behind by 21 Savage & Metro Boomin — SAVAGE MODE II.
SAVAGE MODE II is Atlanta artist 21 Savage’s fifth studio album, serving as a sequel to his first collaboration with Metro Boomin on Savage Mode. St. Louis producer Metro Boomin is owner of the label Boominati Worldwide.

HNY from 21.

Last Sniff (feat. MF DOOM) by Wilma Archer — A Western Circular.
Wilma Archer is an English producer. A Western Circular is his third studio album. MF DOOM was a renowned rapper and producer known for his lyrical prowess, super-villain alter-egos, and gladiator mask.

From here.

RIP MF DOOM. Thank you for all the years of art and inspiration.

Perfection that brings tears to your eyes.

BEST INTEREST by Tyler, The Creator— Single.
BEST INTEREST was produced during the IGOR recording sessions and released separately from the 2019 album. The song follows the same themes as IGOR. It samples Bless You With My Love by Heaven Sent & Ecstasy.

DYING 4 YOUR LOVE by Snoh Aalegra — Single.
Snoh Aalegra is an LA-based singer and songwriter, also known as Sheri. This beautiful single is produced by London-based producer P2J with Roc Nation.

No Idea by Don Toliver — HEAVEN OR HELL.
HEAVEN OR HELL is the debut studio album of Houston rapper Don Toliver. The song is produced by Canadian-Nigerian WondaGurl. She produces for the likes of Travis Scott, Drake, Rihanna, and Kid Cudi.

The Good Book by K.A.A.N. — Vivid Canvas.
K.A.A.N. (acronym for Knowledge Above All Nonsense), is a rapper from Maryland. His fast rhyming style is known as chopping, a style attributed to the likes of Twista, Tech N9ne, and Busta Rhymes. The song samples Joanna Newsom’s The Book Of Right-On.

Starlight Glitz by Pete Rock & Camp Lo — 80 Blocks from Tiffany’s II.
Pete Rock is a renowned producer, DJ, and rapper from The Bronx. Camp Lo is a hip hop duo, also from The Bronx. The album pays homage to the South Bronx gangs of the 70s, the name coming from the documentary by Gary Weis. The album was released in 2013, and later reissued in May 2020.

Lakeith’s Interlude by Kota the Friend — Everything.
KOTA The Friend is an independent artist from Brooklyn. In this album, he aims to present possible answers to the question, “What means everything to you?” Lakeith’s Interlude features actor Lakeith Stanfield.

It means to me to have everything to simultaneously have nothing
The state of neutrality, to have everything is to, be dead
As long as there is something to strive for
Something to continue to work toward
We um, validate our existence, um
Just try to have some fun while you doin’ it

Streaming options

The playlist is available on Apple Music and Spotify.

Thank you for reading and listening.
Please get in touch and let me know your favorite songs.

Peace,
DJ Pardis

A 2019 mixtape: Let me be your DJ

2020-01-02T00:00:00.000Z

Photo by Jesse Meria.

Following the tradition from last year, I picked out 20 songs from 2019. Before we get into that, here are a few interesting links.

My friend Q—a great source of musical inspiration—has put together best-of-2019 playlists. Surely you’ll find some treasures you missed.

There is also an amazing 2019 compilation by passionweiss.com. You know how the experience of drinking a glass of wine is heightened if someone explains its story and origin? This is that but for songs.

DJBooth published a list of top albums of the year. I look to their commentary for education.

Here is the list. The songs are ordered so they flow well together.

The songs

Make It Easy by Big K.R.I.T.— K.R.I.T. IZ HERE.
Produced by DJ Camper and Luke Witherspoon, Make It Easy is the rapper’s celebration of his accomplishments and his process. With 19 tracks, K.R.I.T. IZ HERE is his 4th studio album and 2nd independent release. The album title is a reference to his 2010 mixtape K.R.I.T. Wuz Here.

GONE, GONE / THANK YOU by Tyler, The Creator — IGOR.
This is track number 10 on Tyler, The Creator’s fifth studio album. I learned on Genius that he has a tradition of mixing multiple songs on the 10th track of his albums. This is exactly what I love about this song: just when you think you know how it’s going to end it hits you with some more awesomeness.

As an example check out this part of the song, which includes a tasteful interpolation of Tatsuro Yamashita’ Fragile.

This multi-part structure is a suitable choice for this song. It captures all the various emotions; because in a breakup there rarely is just one, amirite.

Coco Mango Diced (Boy Scout Mix) by Damu The Fudgemunk & MF DOOM — Single.
I am a fan of all MF DOOM content. This is a remix of a 2012 song called Coco Mango. fatbeats.com provides some history and context on this Damu The Fudgemunk remix.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the vinyl cover art.

Squad Up [feat. Havoc] by Street Life & Method Man — Single.
This is the debut single from Street Life & Method Man’s first collaboration LP. Produced by Havoc (one half of the hip-hop duo Mobb Deep), this song pays homage to Prodigy (the other half of Mobb Deep).

Follow God by Kanye West — JESUS IS KING.
Beautifully produced by Xcelence, Kanye West & Boogz, this song samples Whole Truth’s Can You Lose By Following God. See 1:32.

The lyrics are memorable. “I don’t even like likes” is my IG bio. And “nobody never tell you when you’re being like Christ” is a reminder that we should praise more the good in people, rather than just voicing the bad.

Bad Name by Gang Starr — One of the Best Yet.
This is Gang Starr’s seventh album, produced by DJ Premier and featuring posthumous vocals from MC Guru. Gang Starr (Preemo and Guru) hadn’t worked together since 2004 and Guru passed away in 2010; this project by DJ Premier is a beautiful tribute.

Got It Covered [feat. O.C. & Adela] by Diamond D — The Diam Piece 2.
The Diam Piece 2 (TDP2) is legendary producer Diamond D’s seventh studio album. The self-produced album features rap veterans Raekwon, Snoop Dogg, Pharoahe Monch, Fat Joe, Styles P, Twista, David Banner, Boot Camp Clik, Grand Puba, O.C., Havoc, and others.

GIOVANNI by Jamila Woods — LEGACY! LEGACY!.
On each song of the album, Jamila Woods celebrates a hero and the path they have created for her. GIOVANNI is about renowned poet Nikki Giovanni and references her poem “Ego Tripping (there may be a reason why)”.

My son noah built new/ark and
I stood proudly at the helm
as we sailed on a soft summer day
I turned myself into myself and was
jesus
men intone my loving name
All praises All praises
I am the one who would save

— Nikki Giovanni

Crowns for Kings [feat. Black Thought] by Benny The Butcher — The Plugs I Met.
Benny The Butcher is part of the hip-hop group Griselda with Westside Gunn and Conway The Machine. This year he released his second solo EP, The Plugs I Met. This particular song has made it to most people’s year-in-review list. DJ Shay masterfully samples Al Green’s Look What You Done For Me. See 1:33.

hotnewhiphop.com does a good job explaining the significance of this song.

Kool Aid by KIRBY — Single.
If you haven’t heard, I am a huge fan of KIRBY. Signed to RocNation, her impressive list of songwriting projects include Beyonce, Rihanna, Elijah Blake, BOOTS, Kanye West, and Alexa Goddard. Outside projects include: Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Keyshia Cole, Brandy, Monica, Fleur East, Timbaland, Joy Enriquez, Sia, and Jennifer Lopez. In Kool Aid, her lyrics are smart and humorous and her voice unrivaled.

Soursop [feat. Masta Killa, Harley, Solomon Childs] by Ghostface Killah — Ghostface Killahs.
Ghostface Killahs is Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah’s 13th solo album. He is joined by fellow Wu-Tang members including Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, & Masta Killa. In Soursop, producer Danny Caiazzo samples the 1997 reggae song Substitute Lover by Half Pint.

Fade Away by Illa J — Single.
There’s not much online about this single by Illa J, but I am keeping a close eye on his work. In this song, he talks about his style and artistic process.

Sufi Woman by Jidenna — 85 to Africa.
85 to Africa is the second studio album by Jidenna. Sufi Woman producer Nana Kwabena and Jidenna are both signed to Janelle Monae’s label Wondaland. I learned about this song when a friend showed me the music video, directed by Fatima Asghar.

Czarface Theme by CZARFACE — Dog Days Of Tomorrow — EP.
The hip-hop trio (7L & Esoteric and Wu-Tang Clan member Inspectah Deck) CZARFACE had a busy 2019. Aside from this EP, they released three full-length albums. There are many great songs to choose from in their year’s body of work. I chose this one because it transports me to a distant yet familiar comical land. And there’s an associated comic book.

Dog Days Of Tomorrow vinyl cover. From here.

Kool Jazz by Pete Rock — Return of the SP1200.
Instrumentals invite the listener’s imagination onto the main stage. This song by acclaimed producer Pete Rock is a marvelous show.

Save Me by Twitch — Single.
My favorite song on the list is this single by Ghanaian artist Twitch. This is his commentary about the song.

Everyone suffers at least one bad situation in their lifetime. It’s what unites us. The trick is not to let it destroy your hustle when that happens. One brick a day.

—@twitch4eva

Baps by Letherette — Brown Lounge, Vol. 5.
I wasn’t able to find too much about this song by UK electronic music production duo Letherette; the album is not on their Wikipedia page. I like this song for its heavy use of samples.

Love, Of Money by MAVI — Let the Sun Talk.
Let The Sun Talk is Mavi’s debut album. The slower tempo at 74 BPM and the mellow vocals were the main attraction for me.

FLAVOR [feat. Aarxn Cxle & R&D] by Sim Simah — Single.
At a 2019 new year’s party I met Aarxn Cxle and his brother: the one and only Sim Simah. And so it happened that in late 2019, I had the honor of DJing their San Francisco and Oakland shows.

On FLAVOR, the two brothers collaborate. You should also check out the music video for Ugly Sad Funk. Produced by NTrP, it is from Sim Simah’s 2019 album entitled Blue Light Anthems.

Liquid Supply Daily by iLoveMakonnen — M3 — EP.
M3 is the 6th EP by iLoveMakonnen of Tuesday (the single featuring Drake) fame. Liquid Supply Daily is a happy song and good way to wrap up the playlist. Read more about both iLoveMakonnen and M3 on them.us.

Streaming options

The playlist is available on Apple Music and Spotify.

I went to see Dead and Company at the Chase Center last night, thanks to the invitation from by friends Kurt and Chaz. It was great to get to know the work of The Grateful Dead in the past months as their history is so intertwined with that of the city.

Thank you for reading.
Please get in touch and let me know your favorite songs.

Peace,
DJ Pardis

A 2018 mixtape: Let me be your Chase B

2018-12-28T00:00:00.000Z

Findings at a local record store.

First of all, I’d like to thank one of the coolest humans, Charles, for encouraging me to make this list.

The songs are ordered firstly by key (starting at 12A), then by tempo. The list includes some descriptions provided with the help of Genius and beyond.

The songs

Pretty Little Fears (feat. J. Cole) by 6LACK — East Atlanta Love Letter.
This T-Minus-produced song is a beautiful love letter from 6LACK and J. Cole to their significant others. It’s a soft and easy listen.

Sundress by A$AP Rocky—Sundress—Single.
With its gorgeous cover art and Tame Impala samples, Sundress captured my heart more than every other song from TESTING—A$AP Rocky’s other album released earlier this year. And this should say a lot.

Look Back at It by A Boogie wit da Hoodie— Hoodie SZN.
This Jahaan Sweet-produced song uses MJ’s “You Rock My World” melody in the first verse. What especially stands out is the post-chorus, which is inspired by MJ in “Remember the Time” (see 8:10).

SOMETHING ABOUT HIM by BROCKHAMPTON—iridescence.
Brockhampton is a 13-member band. The lead singer, Kevin Abstract, said the song is an ode to his boyfriend.

The Bends by Earl Sweatshirt—Some Rap Songs.
This song caught my attention because of the way it samples—supposedly— the song “After Loving You” by Linda Clifford.

One of my favorite writers in the game, Paul Thompson, wrote about Earl Sweatshirt and Some Rap Songs.

While we’re here, if you haven’t, you should also read Paul’s post about Drake.

From here.

ball w/o you by 21 Savage—i am > i was.
Produced by BEAM & TM88, in “ball w/o you” 21 Savage talks about the difference between love and loyalty.

These verses really do make you contemplate the necessary ingredients in making various relationships work.

The One (Radio Edit) by Jorja Smith— The One — Single.
This Joel Compass-produced song is so well made, it’s a gift for the ears.

From here.

Freeee by KIDS SEE GHOSTS — KIDS SEE GHOSTS.
Considered to be a follow up to “Ghost Town” on Kanye West’s album ye, the song has been submitted for consideration for ‘Best Rock Song’ and ‘Best Rock Performance’ in the 2019 Grammys.

Gonna Love Me by Teyana Taylor—K.T.S.E.
This song heavily samples “I Gave To You” by The Delfonics.

Can’t Be Broken by Lil Wayne—Tha Carter V.
Following the theme of “Freeee” and “The Bends”—nothing can break or stand in the way of Weezy. Tha Carter V is his twelfth studio album.

The Mantra by Mike WiLL Made-It, Pharrell Williams, & Kendrick Lamar—Creed II: The Album.
Why did none of you tell me about this soundtrack? “Shea Butter Baby”, which I include later in the list, is also from Creed II.
According to Genius, this song marks Mike WiLL Made-It’s fourth collaboration with Pharrell and his seventh collaboration with K-Dot. In the song, they talk about how negativity will not stand in the way of their success.

I Was Never There by The Weeknd & Gesaffelstein—My Dear Melancholy.
This is The Weeknd’s first collaboration with French producer Gesaffelstein. This magical song, and the album, is said to be about Selena Gomez. One can only dream of such a farewell.

Shea Butter Baby by Ari Lennox & J. Cole—Creed II: The Album.
Ari Lennox reminds me of Erykah Badu. I did some googling and I’m not alone in my opinion:

Powerful with a jazzy, nasal lilt, her voice recalls Amy Winehouse and Erykah Badu and, for good reason, as she’s cited them as artistic inspirations in the past.

You should also check out her single, “Whipped Cream”, and do not miss this interview:

Rose Gold by Illa J—John Yancey.
Illa J is the younger brother of legendary hip hop producer and rapper, J Dilla. In this album, he talks about the ups and downs of his relationships.

You Want It Darker (Solomun Remix) by Leonard Cohen—You Want It Darker (Solomun Remix) — Single.
Remixing can bring the wisdom and art of the past to a younger and sometimes different audience. This remix is a thoroughly enjoyable experience thanks to House DJ and producer Solomun.
“You Want It Darker” is from Leonard Cohen’s album announced on his 82nd birthday, three weeks before his death.

APESHIT by THE CARTERS—EVERYTHING IS LOVE.
All that needs to be said here can be better said with this gif:

YOSEMITE by Travis Scott—ASTROWORLD.
I would divide my 2018 into two clear phases delineated by the release of ASTROWORLD. The depth, humor, and accessibility of this album is exemplary.
I pick YOSEMITE; produced by June James, it is the best sounding song from the album. Nobody yet knows why it’s named after Yosemite. I am happy that the best sneakers got an s/o and will continue to wait on my Twitter order.

From here.

In addition to bringing this album into my life, I would like to thank Trav for introducing me to DJ Screw. Listen to “Never Trust” for 12 minutes of bliss.

Overdue (feat. Travis Scott) by Metro Boomin—NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES.
I almost slept on this song because I had “No More” on repeat the whole time. With the ambient “Anthonio” sample and Travis Scott vocals, it could have also sat well on ASTROWORLD.

Anybody (feat. Nicki Minaj) by Young Thug—Hear No Evil — Single.
I love “Sir”, “Ganja Burn”, and “Chun-Li” from the Nicki Minaj album, Queen, this year. But this Young Thug collab is what’s making it on my list.

I Say a Little Prayer (Mono) by Aretha Franklin—The Atlantic Singles Collection 1967–1970 (Remastered).
My first introduction to Aretha Franklin was in 1997 with the movie My Best Friend’s Wedding—which taught me love, patience, and pain all in one place.

While we are on the topic of the movie, I recommend that you check out this bit to appreciate the process of writing a story like this one:

Streaming options

The playlist is available on Apple Music and Spotify.

Thank you for reading.
Please get in touch and let me know your favorite songs.

Peace,
DJ Pardis