The Fourth of July is here. Meaning everyone and their momma will be hosting a cookout to entertain friends and family. While food may be the most important part of the cookout, another key ingredient is the music.
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It’ll be hot out in most places, so you want music that will fit the vibe of the environment. Here are some hip-hop songs you can add to your summer cookout playlist.
Kendrick Lamar - “Not Like Us”
Not only is this track the song of the summer, it might be the song of the year. Kendrick Lamar’s diss track will have everyone dancing on Drake’s grave while unc is cooking on the grill.
GloRilla - “TGIF”
Even Rihanna knows that GloRilla has a hit. The young ladies deserve to turn up at the cookout as well.
KAYTRAMINÉ - 4EVA
Something about Kaytranada’s production just screams summer and this hit (featuring Pharrell) just makes you want to bop your head in the summer hit.
Vince Staples - “Magic”
Los Angeles artists are just the best at making summertime hits, and Vince Staples is no exception. Along with the production of DJ Mustard, you get a summer bop.
Tyler, The Creator - “WUSYANAME”
Just seeing how people reacted to Tyler performing this song at “The Pop Out” made us want to include it. It’s just a sweet song that makes you smile.
The Diplomats - Dipset Anthem
I don’t know about y’all. But this is my national anthem. I stand up for when it comes on.
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - “Summertime”
When you think of the summer, this is the song that likely pops into most people’s heads, been if we include genres outside of hip-hop. This timeless banger will be around as long as it stays warm outside.
Snoop Dogg - “Beautiful”
It’s hard to choose one song from Snoop’s discography to include on this list, but we opted for this classic that is blessed with production from Pharrell.
Notorious B.I.G. - “Big Poppa”
How can you not play this song at the summer function? Once the hook comes on, everyone within distance must sing it.
2Pac - “I Get Around”
This summer anthem shows the most enthusiastic and fun side of the legendary hip-hop artist. Play this at the BBQ to have your guests moving.
Outkast - “Ms. Jackson”
Outkast has a lot of hits to choose from, but the fun hook just edges it out over other tracks from the Atlanta hip-hop duo.
UGK - “Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)“
This is for my people in the south. UGK’s classic record is a song that will never get old and will have people singing and dancing for the rest of time.
Ice Cube - “You Know How We Do It”
The sample, plus Ice Cube’s make this a fun song to ride around to during a cool summer night. Plus points if you have a low rider like Cube does in this music video.
Kendrick Lamar - “King Kunta”
It’s great to see that people are still enjoying this song nearly nine years after it was released. It’s just a fun, funk-induced song that will get everyone on their feet at the cookout.
Gunna - “fukumean”
Just to make sure you don’t lose the attention of the younger attendees at your cookout, be sure to put on this banger from Gunna.
City Girls - “Act Up”
Another hit for the young crowd. If you and your friends don’t know the first five bars of this song, you may want to practice before you feel left out at a summer party.
Drake - “Nice For What”
Yeah, we know. Drake isn’t doing so hot right now. But it’s hard to deny how much fun this song is to listen to during a summer function.
Twista - “Slow Jamz”
We still don’t know if this is Twista or Kanye West’s song. Either way, it’s a hit that makes you just want to hit the dance floor.
Naughty By Nature - “Hip-Hop Hooray”
Everything feels like a celebration when this 1992 track comes on. It just makes you want to throw your hands in the air.
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