There’s nothing better than getting together with friends and family on a sunny afternoon for a BBQ. The cherry on top is a great soundtrack, and for this week’s Throwback Thursday column, Myspace is helping you put together that soundtrack with 30 classic hip-hop and R&B jams.
The goal of any BBQ soundtrack is to keep people movin’ and groovin’, and keep the cursing to a minimum so the kids are all good. So put on your freshest pair of kicks, and get ready to crank up the volume, it’s time to get the season started right!
FYI – There’s a pretty cool bonus in the form of a complete YouTube playlist of every song in this feature at the end of the article.
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Summertime
If you’re at a BBQ that doesn’t have this classic in its playlist, just leave. Lord knows what else they’re going to get wrong. They probably have something like quinoa burgers on the grill, and the blandest potato salad imaginable.
Shanice – I Love Your Smile
Breezy, happy, and with a hint of summer love, this hit will put a smile on everyone’s face.
Groove Theory – Tell Me
Who better to set the groove than Groove Theory? “Tell Me” is a timeless classic that provides the laid back vibe an outdoor gathering needs.
Digable Planets – Rebirth of Slick
When hip-hop and jazz met it was the beginning of a beautiful relationship that crossed generations. “Rebirth of Slick” will get everyone from grandpa, to the grandkids, talkin’ music.
Boyz II Men – Motownphilly
Boyz II Men didn’t have a lot of party jams, but “Motownphilly” has always been an invite to get up and dance.
Heavy D and the Boyz – Nuttin’ But Love
BBQs are a place where money doesn’t matter, as we all have “Nuttin’ But Love” for each other. Heavy D sets the tone perfectly with this one.
Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock – It Takes Two
Wanna see the old heads (yes, I’m qualifying myself as an “old head”) break out some classic dance moves? Throw on “It Takes Two” and see what happens.
Naughty By Nature – Hip-Hop Hooray
The anthem of anthems, and further evidence that Treach is the most underrated emcee of all-time, “Hip-Hop Hooray” has always been a feel-good jam that fits in perfectly with good weather, and good times.
Aaliyah – Are You That Somebody
Aaliyah was taken from us far too soon, but she left us with a plethora of incredible songs. “Are You That Somebody” has worked its way into the “classic” category, and has become a summertime staple.
Biz Markie – Just A Friend
Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, will sing along when “Just A Friend” comes on.
Sugarhill Gang – Apache
BBQs are great places to break out old dances, and when “Apache” comes on you can expect a good number of people to “jump on it” and show their skills. I’ve even seen kids know this dance, which means the youth are not lost!
Tony Toni Tone – Let’s Get Down
Good, upbeat, danceable R&B is necessary at every BBQ, and while Tony Toni Tone are more known for their ballads, “Let’s Get Down” is a jam that still gets people movin’.
Bobby Brown – Every Little Step
Ignore the caricature Bobby Brown became, and focus on how fantastic his music once was. “Every Little Step” is a fun, happy, song that’s undeniably great.
De La Soul – My, Myself & I
Classic hip-hop is a staple of great BBQ soundtracks, and there’s nothing better than letting some members of the Native Tongues fam guide a section of your playlist.
A Tribe Called Quest – Award Tour
Speaking of the Native Tongues fam, A Tribe Called Quest is a necessity at every cookout, as well. Just make sure it’s a relatively clean Tribe song so your gathering is still kid friendly.
The Pharcyde – Drop
No matter where you are in the world, a BBQ should have a bit of a Cali vibe, and who better to provide that than Cali legends The Pharcyde? Don’t drop the ball, include “Drop” in your BBQ soundtrack.
LL Cool J – Loungin’
You’re loungin’ when you’re at a BBQ, right? Let LL’s “Loungin’” set the mood.
Mariah Carey – Fantasy (Remix)
There are a plethora of Mariah Carey songs that would be perfect for a BBQ soundtrack (no, not “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” Stop it!). The remix to “Fantasy,” featuring the legendary ODB, is our top choice.
Nice-n-Smooth – Hip-Hop Junkies
An all-time great hip-hop song that will get everybody in a good mood, “Hip-Hop Junkies” sticks in your head like good BBQ sticks to your ribs.
TLC – Baby Baby Baby
Everyone needs a little TLC at their BBQ (the R&B group, not the network that brought us Honey Boo Boo).
Us3 – Cantaloop
If you want to see people dance at your BBQ, playing “Cantaloop” is a can’t-miss way to make that happen.
Soul for Real – Every Little Thing I Do
While you wouldn’t want any (candy) rain to dampen your outdoor affair, “Every Little Thing I Do” will provide a great vibe.
112 w/ The Notorious B.I.G. & Ma$e – Only You
It’s tough to find a clean song with Biggie on it, but 112’s “Only You” comes as close as one can get, and it’s a classic.
Da Brat – Funkdafied
Remember Da Brat? She was DOPE, and “Funkdafied” will still get everybody’s head nodding.
Montell Jordan – This Is How We Do It
I mean, is it even really a party if “This Is How We Do It” isn’t spun?
Zhane – Hey Mr. DJ
Let the DJ get a little self-referential with this smooth classic.
Soul II Soul – Back To Life
“Back To Life” will have the older half of your BBQ reminiscing, while the younger half asks, “What’s this amazing song?”
P.M. Dawn – Set Adrift on Memory Bliss
Smoothed out hip-hop was once considered weak. Thankfully, we’ve grown past that ideology.
P.M. Dawn’s “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss” is a smooth hip-hop classic that will put everyone in a good mood.
Deee-Lite – Groove Is in the Heart
A booty shakin’ jam featuring a guest verse by Q-Tip, “Groove Is in the Heart” will reveal who the REAL dancers at your BBQ are.
Black Sheep – The Choice Is Yours
You can get with this, or you can get with that. An incredibly memorable lyric, and a choice you’ll have to make when you realize you only have room on your plate for one more side.
Full Playlist
Knowing that clicking play on 30 videos might be a bit of a task, we’ve put every song from this feature in one handy-dandy playlist, so just click play, and soak in the vibe (and occasionally curse out YouTube for the advertisements that temporarily interrupt your vibe).
Want more blasts from the past? Check out our #ThrowbackThursday page.
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