My Top 10 Summer Jams

By Seun Adebola (Afriland)

There’s just a thing about summer and ‘jams’. Like, I feel my summer is incomplete without a playlist to take me on musical ride while I stare into the starlit sky and the waves hit my feet through the beach sand.  It’s definitely easier to reminisce the good times with my favorite jams even long after summer is over. Oh sorry, by jams, I mean songs!

So apart from the usual vacation checklist: packing my bags, grabbing my sunglasses, double checking my passport, one of the most important pre-vacation tasks is my playlist, compiled just before I travel.

You know how you listen to some songs and they remind you of certain experiences and activities? That’s how these summer jams remind me of the fun I had even months after. Once I hear them, I remember my summer vacation and I just smile.

I know you might not be able play songs while visiting the museum, strolling through the parks, having a taste of the best delicacies around town, but you surely can while bonding with friends and family, playing board games, hitting the beach, hosting the ultimate summer BBQ or just chilling in your hotel room. For me, I press play immediately I take off into the clouds.

If you’ve never had a summer vacation playlist, well I think you should try it. Summer vacations are important life moments and music has the power to turn them into sweet memories.

Now let’s hit play!

Mary J. Blige Feat U2 – ‘One’

Although I love the original version of “One” off U2’s 1991 album Achtung Baby, I prefer the remake on Mary J Blige’s album, The Breakthrough.  The song is about peace, unity and hope for a better world even in the midst of the wars and crimes.

The Jackson 5 – ‘I want you back’

The Motown released single which topped the chart for 19 weeks and made the 5 Jackson brothers famous is definitely on my playlist. It reminds me of childhood.

The weekend – ‘I feel it coming’

Though I’ve always known ‘The Weekend’ is a fantastic singer, I didn’t see this one coming. His delivery in this particular song reminds me of Michael Jackson’s distinct and soothing voice in speechless. I feel it coming is the perfect poolside chill song.

Davido – ‘If’

This very danceable afro-pop tune is indubitably one of the biggest songs out of Africa in 2017. That beat is banging, though I don’t understand the “chooku chooku” line. #if #30billionForTheAcant

Major Lazer Feat. Nicki Minaj & PARTYNEXTDOOR – ‘Run Up’

Run up is a three minutes and twenty-three seconds of up tempo dancehall song  performed by American electronic band, Major Lazer from their upcoming fourth studio album, Music is a Weapon (2017). Good stuff!

French Montana Feat. Swae Lee – ‘Unforgettable’

One of the reasons I love the song is the video location, Uganda. Truly makes it unforgettable. I love how French Montana sampled afrobeat sound.

Ed Sheeran – ‘Castle On the Hill’

Ed Sheeran’s 2017 comeback single is so powerful that I had to just add the song to my playlist. He really went out of his comfort zone. The Benny Blanco produced hit is so different from the “Thinking out loud Ed” we all know.

Niniola – Maradona

She emerged from of one of the music reality shows in Nigeria and has kept a steady pace ever since. Maradona is quite heavy on percussions. I love it.

Will Smith & DJ Jazzy Jeff, ‘Summertime’

This 1991 jam still does it for me any day. Sampling Kool & The Gang’s 1974 classic “Summertime, Fresh Prince sure delivered a sweet tune.

Ycee Feat. Maleek Berry –  ‘Juice’

Ycee’s laid back rap style, punchlines and rhymes are absolutely incomparable. He brought the juice on this Maleek berry assisted record. #AintNobodyBadderThan