Music
Joe Biden And Kamala Harris’s Sprawling Inauguration Playlist Was Curated By Issa Rae’s Record Label
Getty Image From Sounds of Blackness to Steely Dan, the list has something for everyone. …
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’s inauguration will be one of the most hopeful days many of us have had in a long time. To acknowledge the optimistic outlook of their first term, the president and vice president-elect have commissioned a sprawling inauguration day playlist full of hopeful songs from across seemingly every genre imaginable. To help curate the list, the duo’s team brought on DJ D-Nice, whose Home School quarantine streams offered a warm distraction from the stress of the early pandemic, and Issa Rae, whose record label Raedio presents the playlist.
There are 46 songs on the list, nodding to the 46th President of the United States, ranging from underground rap like Kota The Friend’s “Lupita Interlude” to all-American rock legends like Bruce Springsteen. There are also some not so subtle messages to the American people in the titles of the song choices, as in the aforementioned Springsteen selection “We Take Care Of Our Own.” The incoming President wants to “Give The People What They Want,” courtesy of the O’Jays and promises to “Pick Up The Pieces” via Average White Band.
And while the feel-good vibes extend throughout the playlist, it’s probably also going to be fun to imagine Joe bopping along to the late MF Doom‘s “Coffin Nails” or SZA’s “Good Days.” Fortunately, there are plenty of well-tread classics for the older set, including Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day,” Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up,” Jackie Wilson’s “Higher And Higher,” and Sounds Of Blackness’s “Optimistic.” To put it bluntly, it’s a way better list than anything we could have expected from the other guy, and a smart move on the inauguration committee’s part to nab a purveyor of tastemaking cool like Issa Rae to select a collection of songs that speaks to the needed tone of the Biden-Harris presidency: One of unity, diversity, and hope.
Check out the list above.
Some of the artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Artist Spotlight
GMG_Grizz brings melodic rap and undeniable attitude on latest release “Something Slight”
GMG_Grizz is here with “Something Slight,” officially released as “Something Slight Freestyle,” a rap record built on confidence, personal ambition and lyrical self-assurance. The St. Louis artist’s track, embraces the familiar brag-track approach, but gives it an interesting musical direction through its melodic rap delivery. The title itself is indicative of the mindset going into the release, showing the artist’s ability to spit dope flows and bars as just something natural, not some Herculean effort.
The flowing piano movement and the bouncing rhythm is what makes this freestyle worth revisiting. These elements make the record sound familiar but still keep the arrangement catchy and accessible. GMG_Grizz’s direction is more toward confidence and individuality, someone who is comfortable with his work ethic and the lifestyle he portrays. The melodic approach also gives the track a different personality than a straight rap performance, allowing its rhythm to carry much of the appeal.
“Something Slight” is a tantalising taste of where GMG_Grizz is heading musically. There’s room for him to explore this sound further, but the piano and rhythmic bounce provide a foundation for keeping the track interesting. A confident freestyle with a personality that you can recognise and re-play value.
Connect with GMG_Grizz on Spotify || Soundcloud
Artist Spotlight
François Marius pushes romantic excitement into a dancefloor celebration with “La Loco”
François Marius arrives with a jolt of Latin Pop energy with “La Loco,” a dance-friendly track about attraction, romantic excitement and the fun madness of falling for someone. “LA Loco” is an immediate invitation to dance, with its catchy guitars, groovy bassline and spirited vocals giving it a friendly musical personality. Its approach is refreshingly simple, with the aim of having a good time rather than complicate the experience unnecessarily.
The song becomes even more interesting when Bérénice is on board, because the chemistry between the two performers is palpable. Their vocal call and response is a playful give and take, reflecting the thrill of two people being attracted to each other. It makes the romantic theme feel conversational, turning the performance into a musical chase instead of a one-sided declaration.
The acoustic elements also merge with the modern Latin beats, defining the danceable orientation of the track. “La Loco” is ultimately about enjoying the thrill that comes with attraction and letting yourself get carried away by the moment. Its constant call to swing along adds another layer of infectious energy. François Marius and Bérénice are a feel good collaboration that combines romance, rhythm and movement into an appealing Latin Pop package.
Connect with François Marius on Spotify
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