Summer Bunnies 2k16: Still.Grimey’s Summer Cookout Compilation

LaGreezy and I have taken it upon ourselves to build a tome of a summer playlist that hits hard and scorches you more tender than the Caribbean sun. This little five hour number that we've carefully assembled (seriously we put probably 40 man hours into this) for your listening pleasure isn’t really built for a turn-up. It's more of a steady, rolling selection of heat rocks that we hope will keep you and your homies on a consistent, positive vibe.

The playlist is broken down into sections, with a little description next to each. As you’ve probably already inferred, this informal, somewhat fatuous post is the polar opposite of the Prince post immediately preceding it. The pendulum swings wide in these serious times.

I think the most important suggestion I can provide is to suggest that you enjoy this in the order it’s presented. You can skip tracks, but I wouldn’t throw it on random. Structure is important here. You should also feel free to move forward without reading the rough guide after the jump and just process this on your own.

Tone Setters feat. Ashanti
Fabolus “So Into You” – Ashanti “Rock Wit U”

It is now common knowledge that a Ja Rule heavy playlist is good for parties. Someone has probably told you this in a very excited tone of voice recently. They’re not wrong.

But I’d actually tend to think what's probably more important than Ja Rule, is Ashanti. If ever anyone could take up a piece of the mantle that was shattered when we lost Aaliyah (somewhere Timbaland and DMX just shed a tear), it's Murda INC's one times Queen Bee, Ashanti. "So Into You" may be the most important track on this goddamn playlist because it sets the tone for what follows. Enjoyable, not too in-your-face, something you could probably put on in the background, but deserving of the foreground too.

Cali Interlude
Tupac “How do U Want It” – Warren G “Nobody Does It Better"

Having a summer playlist without some candid Cali golden era rap slappers would be offensive to any person with a soul. Do yourself a favor and think about how cool the 213 was in that era, and then return to your regularly scheduled thoughts.

Release Your Mind
SWV “I’m so into You” – The Spinners “Rubberband Man”

Sisters with Voices and their ilk are some of the best things that ever happened to the nineties. Where are the female R&B supergroups these days? I’ve gotta say that most of what I’m seeing are diva powerhouses (bless them) and candy pop babeadoolaz. The golden era is over. Shower the ears of your future offspring in the songs of SWV and Total – they will be better for it.

It’s also worth mentioning that this is probably the most random section of the playlist, but I think we did a decent job of stringing the pieces together. If you can put Michael “The White Lion” McDonald, Chaka Khan and Fine Young Cannibals together and make it flow reasonably well, that’s something to be proud of I think. You may find it illustrative that Teddy P. sang “Joy” from a wheelchair after he became paraplegic following a car accident involving a transsexual sex worker. Dude bounced back - go Teddy! This should inspire you.

Bumbaclots
Kamaiyah “How Does It Feel?” – Bob Marley “Mr Brown”

The right riddim propa badmon sekshon be di place wheah LaGreezy decided to dip his Drake stick into this otherwise pristene pool of muzikal wondah. This much to my chagrin, but such are the wages of collaboration and compromise, mon.

Did you know that Shabba Ranks is a real guy, and he's way cooler than ASAP Ferg will ever be (ASAP Ferg is very cool, so that's pretty hard to do)? I had to look Shabba Ranks up after I heard the ASAP Ferg song from a few years back, and I was very pleasantly surprised by what I found.  ¡A ting a ling!

Man do I want to visit Jamaica. Man if I get to go there, people in Jamaica going to think I'm a dipshit.

The Kells Axis
Robert Kelly “Be Happy” – Robert Kelly “Fiesta”

The patron anti-saint of this playlist is the god Robert Kelly (see playlist title and track 5). There are few other people in the world whose music and artistry is so diabolically well suited for summer slappers. I struggle every day to reconcile my love for Kelly's music and persona with the fact that he's probably a sex offender and is undoubtedly a sexual deviant (just watch the music video for “Cookie” if you are looking for proof of this). This is a burden I will probably carry for the rest of my life, as "12 Play" and "TP2.com" are some of the most monolithic, genius and simultaneously sick minded records of the last few decades. Chicago winds blow strong.

Ridin with Paak
Anderson Paak “I Miss that Whip” – 2Pac “All About U”

This is a deliberate attempt to bring Anderson Paak to those of you whose ears may have not yet appreciated his sounds. I think he's the most exciting artist that has crossed my path in the last few years. His collaboration with Knxwledge (NxWorries) is spectacular – they’ve got an album planned for later this year. I don't think there's another artist that has owned the rap/R and B liminal so fluidly and thoroughly. That's a bold claim, but just listen to “Suede” and tell me you don't think he possesses the intellect and a savior faire of a legend.

Soulful Ones
Bruce Hornsby “The Way It Is” – Robert Kelly “Feelin on Yo Booty”

This section may seem like a parking lot for the lost and undefined that we plopped down at the end of this playlist. I promise you it is not. If you’ve made it this far through the playlist/the post, you are probably committed or halfway asleep. Bless you. 

You deserve the gold at the end of this musical rainbow, man. We’re talking “Pastime Paradise” (Oh my god Stacy, that’s not a Coolio song!?), “Always on Time” (see, I told you Ashanti was going to ride with you), “Don’t Mess With My Man” (Lucy Pearl is another testament to Saadiq’s genius – blessings to LaGreezy to putting me on to this group/record).

So there you have it - something of a rough guide.

Here's hoping your next few months are brimming with summer bunnies and myriad mirthful cookouts.