Listening to music during the summer has a different resonance than the rest of the year. The one to five tracks that are constantly on repeat tend to stick with you for the next 365 days, because of the memories often associated with your summer playlist of choice– good or bad.
It could be the one song you heard on the radio during a roadtrip to that one charming coastal town with your girlfriends, an overplayed club banger that you wish you could erase from your peripheral memory, or maybe a simple melody that reminds you of that special someone you spontaneously met and turned into short lived fling— whether we notice it or not, a summer playlist is created by default.
In light of our favorite season and its many sentiments, we have compiled a list of releases that have graced some of our playlist’s this month from within the region and beyond. Ranging from eclectic beats and rhymes by Egypt’s up-and-coming Ma Beyn, Amaree’s steamy album release, Jorja Smith’s latest single that is so undeniably London, Mick Jenkin’s much-needed single drops (when does he ever go wrong?), and a personal favorite, the collaboration we didn’t know we needed, Kaytranda and Amine’s (AKA Kaytraminé) album filled with hidden gems.
There’s more: our summer playlist would not be complete without afrobeat legends Burna Boy and Asake. Meanwhile, Sudanese rapper Bas just dropped a hit alongside J.Cole that is bound to be played everywhere. Last but not least, the undeniable tune of the summer is brought to you by the UK’s Dave and Central Cee. Get listening!
Ma Beyn, Solty, & Sodma ‘Malahy’
Jungle ‘I’ve Been Love’
Dave and Central Cee ‘Sprinter’
Bas and J.Cole ‘Passport Bro’s’
James Blake ‘Loading’
Mick Jenkins ‘Guapanese’
Afroto ‘Eskot Khales’
Jorja Smith ‘Little Things’
Amaarae ‘Counterfeit’
Kaytraminé ‘Rebuke’
Dafencii ‘Tarat Altayara’
Soulja ‘Ayaam’
Burna Boy ‘Sittin’ On Top of The World’
Asake ‘Amapiano’
