Before anyone gets worked up..yes, I know “May the 4th be with you” is for May 4th, but I figured it’d be fun to roll with it for July 4th… so just go with it 🙂
Also, I’m sending this newsletter a day early since most people won’t be checking emails tomorrow (rightfully so). Toss today’s selects on your playlist for the holiday, and I hope you have an awesome day if you’re celebrating.
Quick side note: I updated the referral program, now you only need 5 referrals to get a completely custom playlist made just for you. Additionally, the first person to get to 5 referrals will get $25 sent directly to them via Venmo or Paypal! Get sharing! The link you need to share for it to register correctly is at the bottom of this email.
I’m also compiling all my past selects into one big playlist you can follow. Expect that in your inbox next week.
Blueprint Supreme - SKAI ISYOURGOD
If you’ve been sleeping on the Hong Kong hip-hop scene, let me wake you up real quick. There’s a new name chief in town and his name is SKAI ISYOUR GOD. Skai’s track Blueprint Supreme is a bold declaration of what happens when tradition and ambition collide.
Cantonese rap hasn’t always had global eyes on it, but SKAI’s changing that. Blueprint Supreme, featuring AR, is more than just another flex anthem.
The song weaves together heavy-hitting trap drums with a melodic sample that feels rooted in Chinese folk tradition. It’s East meets West in the dopest way possible. SKAI spits in Cantonese, I have no idea what he’s saying but his flow and intonations hit so hard over his trap heavy beat.
This one is guaranteed to be a party favorite. If you dig it, then also check out my other two favorites ‘Stacks from All Sides’ and ‘Karma Code’
Last Dances - mustbejohn
For those unfamiliar, mustbejohn is quietly becoming one of the UK’s most versatile new voices. Hailing from Hertfordshire, he’s been building a lane that sits somewhere between UK garage, indie, and laid-back rap think bedroom pop with a little dance floor pulse underneath.
Last Dances is the latest proof that he knows how to soundtrack real life, not just the highs, but the weird, bittersweet moments in between. The track floats between indie melancholy and summer groove. There’s something nostalgic about this track that feels like it was a lost gem of the 2010’s.
What’s cool about mustbejohn is how natural it all feels. His music doesn’t chase trends. It lives in that familiar space where heartfelt lyrics meet beats that still make you wanna move..whether you're at an afters, in your kitchen, or walking home alone at sunrise.
Another summer bop for you!
Marvin Gaye in the Studio
Lovely Day (Studio Rio Version) - Marvin Gaye
This last one is a classic which I’m sure 99.99% already know but less than 1% have probably heard this version and if you have then good for you. I discovered this song when I was on a layover in Dubai and the track was playing on the airplane as I was boarding.
In the Studio Rio Version of Lovely Day, Withers’ iconic vocals float over a lush, laid-back samba groove straight from the beaches of Brazil. It’s smooth, it’s warm, and it feels like you should be hearing it with a caipirinha in hand. For those that don’t know what a caipirinha is, it’s Brazil’s national drink and is even ranked as the 3rd best cocktail in the world. It tastes like sweet lime juice with a grassy after taste due to the Cachaça.
The track comes from the 2014 project Studio Rio Presents: The Brazil Connection, where a group of world-class Brazilian musicians reimagined soul, jazz, and pop legends through the lens of samba and bossa nova. The project features Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and Billie Holiday classics reworked with breezy guitars, horns, and percussion that somehow make everything feel lighter. The project was made for the 2014 World Cup that took place in Brazil.
Lovely Day is definitely the crown jewel of the project. The rhythm lifts the track without overpowering it. Withers’ voice still carries that easy confidence, but the Brazilian arrangement adds a new layer of energy, making it feel tailor-made for rooftop parties, beach drives, or just turning your living room into a tropical escape.
In my opinion most remixes actually do the original songs injustice but for ones that enhance the original song they are truly special. This is one that breathes new life into the original. Enjoy!
Quote of the Day
“It’s a party in the U.S.A”
Video of the Day
I’m not sharing anything new here, just something that is a must play on the 4th of July. Ladies and gentleman, I present Born in The USA by none other than Bruce Springsteen. ‘Murica!!!!!
Photo of the Day
In honor of Post Malone’s birthday, I’m sharing this photo I snapped of him during my short stint on Justin Bieber’s Purpose World Tour. Funny enough the photo was captured on May 4th, 2016 (title of the article) hahaha. Happy Birthday Posty!
Fun Fact: I got fired from the tour on the 3rd day because I refused to go get 20+ coffees that was demanded of me. I was hired to be a photographer not an assistant. It was the only time I’ve ever been fired from a job but I stood on my business.
Did you enjoy this article? Let me know below, please and thanks!
What did you think of today's newsletter?
Please be safe tomorrow and don’t make any stupid decisions. Enjoy the day with your friends and family and I’ll see you on Sunday.
Don’t forget to share the newsletter if you like it!