In lieu of my upcoming nuptials, I want to share a playlist of my favorite wedding songs. The first part of the playlist includes songs that would be perfect for walking down the aisle, and the second half includes songs for the first dance and reception. Listen to the playlist here. Whether you’re getting married soon or not, these love songs will not disappoint.
Clair de Lune, L. 32 by Claude Debussy
lovers’ carvings by Bibio
Chopin: Waltz No. 9 in A-Flat Major by Chopin
Sea of Love by Cat Power
At Last by Etta James
Wedding Song – Acoustic by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Make You Feel My Love by Adele
Unforgettable by Nat King Cole
Canon In D by Cello Music Songs
If I Ain’t Got You – Piano & Vocal Version by Alicia Keys
Moon River by Frank Ocean
January Wedding by The Avett Brothers
I’ll Be There by The Jackson 5
What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You by Mr. Lauryn Hill
I Would Do Anything for You by Foster The People
Hung Up On My Baby by Isaac Hayes
Live And Die by The Avett Brothers
Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac
Marry You by Bruno Mars
The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) by Marvin Gaye
I am a true believer that self-care is one of the most important things to incorporate into our daily routines. Now that the stress of final exams is piled on top of election panic, COVID anxiety, social upheaval, taking care of ourselves emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally is crucial. I try to do one thing every day that brings me joy and comfort. Self-care looks different for everyone, but here are some ways I like to wind down to make sure I don’t get too burned out. Some might work for you, some might not. Some take more time than others, and may only be accessible to you after finals are over. The important thing is to recognize what you love to do and make a little bit of time for it every day!
Re-read your favorite book.
Go on a long walk in nature. Even if it’s a short one, walking every day has been found to be very beneficial for our mental wellbeing.
Buy a plant and watch it grow.
Watch your comfort show.
Call a friend.
Make a collage.
Take a really really really long shower.
Set a schedule for yourself and stick to it.
Go to bed early.
LISTEN TO WKNC!
Buy yourself something you’ve been wanting for a long time.
Bake something sweet and share it with people you love.
Clean your room.
Organize your closet and donate your old clothes.
Paint or draw, even if you’re bad at it.
Dance around your room.
Dress up for no reason.
Journal, journal, journal! Writing out all the things I’m stressed about helps clear my head.
Redecorate your room/home.
Watch concerts of your favorite artists.
GET. OFF. SOCIAL. MEDIA.
Find new music and update your playlists.
Buy some new skin/hair products.
Light a candle.
Make some tea, hot chocolate, or any warm beverage.
This week my Friday Favorites are my favorite lofi beats to relax to in honor of finals coming up. Be sure to check out these songs and more on WKNC’s Spotify page.
1. this girl by Elijah Who
No lofi playlist is complete without the addition of Elijah Who, one of the most well known beat makers within the genre.
2. nagashi by Idealism
Simple piano melody plus a chill beat plus the sounds of rain make for an interesting track that anyone would love.
3. Cut My Hair by Mounika
This lofi song uses a sample from a Cavetown song I love, and it’s perfect for studying and relaxing.
4. Ms.Prettybooty by The Deli
Great song from a beat maker, you can find more good vibes on their BandCamp. The Deli’s albums, especially “Encounters” are incredibly well-produced works.
5. she only likes me when i’m drunk by frumhere
A hazy, chopped-up sample from Shannon Saunders and an addictive beat makes for a classic favorite.
6. Small Things by softy
A quintessential lofi mini-playlist would not be complete without a track that comes with a piano melody and a good beat.
Ok so obviously I understand that listening to these songs is not going to cause you to astral project. In fact, I’m not even 100% sure if I’m fully convinced of the idea. For those of you that don’t know, astral projection is a term used to describe an out of body experience, assuming that the soul is able to detach itself from the body. This would imply the immortal separate existence of the soul, but that’s a conversation for another day. I have personally never had this experience. Although, if I did, I feel like this is what I would be playing as I looked down from my projection.
“Jungle”- Tash Sultana I feel like I would just have to start off the astral projection with this song. It starts off with a little bit of light, bouncy, guitar but progressively adds more and more layers as the song goes on, coinciding perfectly with the feeling of your soul floating up into space.
“Changes”- A$AP Rocky Changes is the first in a long list of beautiful A$AP songs that I could make. This song is off of Rocky’s most recent album, “Testing,” and shows how truly diverse his music is able to be. The background harmonies are like no other, and there is an undeniable storyline that follows the flow of the song.
“Still”- JJ Switching over to SoundCloud for a bit, we hear one of the best uses of the ‘Still D.R.E.” sample to date. From start to finish, this whole song is just beautiful. The introduction includes a series of distorted, off-beat harmonies, which eventually flow into the iconic piano sound of “Still D.R.E.”
“4 Morant”- Doja Cat This is one of Doja Cat’s earliest songs and my favorite on this list. The lyrics are actually pretty sad, but it honestly adds to the astral projection experience. Because, just like Doja Cat, we have to go through hard times to grow. And this song is the perfect thing to emulate that idea. The ending of the song is the best part and it is best listened to at loud volumes.
“Same Ol’ Mistakes”- Rihanna This is a Rihanna cover of “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” by Tame Impala. But to be quite honest, her voice just fits the song better. The song deals with change, overcoming self-doubt, and dealing with criticism from others in spite of who you want to be. And if that isn’t the perfect song to end an astral projection to, then I don’t know what is.
Again,not saying that these are songs that will cause astral projection, but that I think it would just elevate the experience if they were played.
Boy, does the world feel crazy right now. Yikes! Just know that whatever you’re doing to cope with election insanity or pervasive feelings of doom is important and you should keep doing it. For me, music has been a great way to deal with everything going on. If you’re into classic rock, surf music, and R&B, I have a treat for you! Here are the songs that have been getting me through the stress and anxiety of the past couple of weeks:
When the Levee Breaks – Led Zeppelin
Can’t have a DJ Butter playlist without Led Zeppelin popping up somewhere. I must have listened to this song, off of Led Zeppelin IV, at least 40 times in the last week. It’s an absolute classic.
The Super-Natural – John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
I heard this one while listening to WKNC in my car and immediately fell in love with the bluesy electric guitar. Rock legends Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Mick Taylor were some of the many to pass through John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers at some point or another in the 60s!
Manila Ice – Eyedress
This song is the perfect mixture of electronic, R&B, and surf rock. I love how Eyedress puts a modern, urban spin on indie in this track.
Never Had a Girl – The Misunderstood
Though this track was released in 1969, I think it’s fascinating how The Misunderstood seem to combine the sounds of 80s pop, early blues, and 60s classic rock into one song.
Tyrone (Live) – Erykah Badu
WOW! Miss Badu delivers some powerful feminine energy in her live album, especially with this song. I will forever love her poetry and talent.
I Ran With Love But Couldn’t Keep Up – Spectrals
This song came to me through my Spotify Discover Weekly playlist and love the calm vibe that Spectrals delivers with it. Romantic and woozy, it’s one of my go-to repeats for relaxing.
De Vida Voz – Allah-Las
Allah-Las consistently produces great work, but this one has to be my favorite song of theirs. Their guitar work is absolutely phenomenal.
Innerspace – The Apples In Stereo
This song is another random Spotify discovery, but I love how relaxing and light it is. The instrumental ballad reminds me of sitting in a forest with some kind animals.
Clear Night Sky – La Luz
I featured La Luz, the all-girl surf rock band, in a blog post a couple of weeks ago. This is the first song I heard by them and I was immediately hooked!
Bella Luna – Babe Rainbow
This track is so lovely and relaxing. Babe Rainbow, known for their airy psychedelia, really shows how soft they can be with “Bella Luna.”
Move With the Season – Temples
I originally found this track when making my Halloween set. Though it’s not necessarily “spooky,” the dark yet upbeat feeling this song gives reminds me of fall.
Earthshake – Mystic Braves
The Mystic Braves are a great band. Period. “Earthshake” is one of my favorites by them, and I highly recommend giving it a listen if you’re into any kind of surf/garage rock.
Happy Saturday everyone! Here are the songs that I’ve had on repeat lately:
Grip 3:16 (feat. Kenny Mason & J.I.D) by Grip: Grip links up with fellow Atlanta natives Kenny Mason and J.I.D and together they spit over a Crosby & Nash sample.
Shimmy Shimmy Ya by Ol’ Dirty Bastard: The lead single off of ODB’s solo debut managed to become a hit despite it consisting of only a hook and the same verse repeated twice. But with his idiosyncratic style and quotable lyrics, it’s easy to see why.
Dora by Tierra Whack: Miss Whack’s new track finds her sleeping in Gucci sheets, enjoying floor seats at basketball games, and even contemplating buying a horse. Check out the music video here.
HËÂT RŌČK. by Tobe Nwigwe: This track features an impressive verse from Tobe Nwigwe that starts before the beat drops: “I ain’t gone wait till the beat drops/I’mma get it while it’s warm and start to form this heat rock.”
Look Over Your Shoulder (feat. Kendrick Lamar) by Busta Rhymes: This track was officially released on Busta’s new album, Extinction Level Event 2: Wrath of God. However, various versions leaked online as early as 2017. Either way, Kendrick and Busta both deliver over a beat that heavily samples “I’ll Be There” by The Jackson 5.
You’ll Never Walk Alone by Brittany Howard: Originally coming up as the lead singer of Alabama Shakes, Brittany Howard has embarked on an exciting solo career, a move that has allowed her to explore other sounds in a more intimate setting.
Something in the Water (feat. Denzel Curry) by Saba: On this track, Saba and Denzel Curry take aim at the exploitative nature of the music industry and profiteers of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dragonball Durag Remix (feat. Smino & Guapdad 4000) by Thundercat: On this remix, Thundercat enlists Smino and Guapdad to rap about various hair care products.
With a global pandemic redefining life as we know it, an election that could determine the fate of our fragile democracy (click here for DJ Butter’s last minute NC voting resources), and Halloween just around the corner, it is safe to say that spooky season is in full effect. Given the circumstances, I thought it apt to take a brief look at hip-hop’s spookiest subgenre: horrorcore.
The ethos of horrorcore reflects that of the horror film, but it is presented in the context of hip-hop. As a result, rappers touch on macabre themes of death and the occult, and the depictions of violence and drugs normally found in hip-hop are turned up to extreme, sometimes campy, levels of exaggeration. Ironically, this is the least horrific kind of horrorcore – instead, some artists abandon the theatrics in favor of dark depictions of isolation, mental illness and drug abuse that make for a truly unsettling experience. It’s important to note that horrorcore does not exist in a vacuum, and shares similarities to other subgenres of music like emo rap, nu-metal, and hardcore hip-hop.
Music video for “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” by Geto Boyz, a group that laid the groundwork for many horrorcore artists to come
Though the origin of the sound can be traced back to the 80s, it didn’t gain popularity until the 90s. Released in 1991, “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” by Geto Boyz, with its lyrical themes of paranoia, can be considered foundational for the subgenre. Meanwhile, The Flatlinerz embraced satanic imagery on their 1994 album U.S.A (Under Satan’s Authority), and Gravediggaz burst onto the scene with their debut album 6 Feet Deep. Legendary groups Three 6 Mafia and Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony both broke through in 1995, with Mystic Stylez and E. 1999 Eternal respectively, bringing horrorcore’s aesthetics to an even wider audience. During this time, the Insane Clown Posse was amassing a cult following of Juggalos with their over-the-top depictions of violence, reflected in their 1997 song “Hokus Pokus”.
The iconic music video for Tyler, The Creator’s “Yonkers”
Like the rest of hip-hop, horrorcore has changed dramatically throughout the years. In the early 2010s, the edgy subject matter and dark production of Tyler, The Creator’s early work earned him the horrorcore designation – a label he readily rejected. With a new generation of rappers inspired by the heyday of horrorcore came a new sound: boom bap drum loops were traded in for woozy, brooding instrumentals inspired by cloud rap. In 2015, this shift was evident in the music of Lil Ugly Mane, whose album Oblivion Access brought the subgenre to new nihilistic heights, and Ghostemane, who adopted the triplet flow pioneered by Three 6 Mafia and Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony.
Music video for “Die Very Rough” by Mario Judah
Around the same time, another side of horrorcore was conceived in its intersection with rock music, specifically metal. Artists like XXXTentacion (though his sound would later veer into emo territory) and City Morgue pioneered this hyper distorted and aggressive style of hip-hop. Earlier in 2020, Mario Judah burst onto the scene with his own unique interpretation of the genre, complete with a melodramatic singing voice and trap production. Presently, the group clipping. offers one of the most exciting takes on horrorcore, with experimental production that includes field recordings and lyrical content that subverts common horror tropes.
There you have it: an autopsy of horrorcore – one hip-hop’s most idiosyncratic, dynamic, and controversial subgenres – and with it a Halloween soundtrack curated by yours truly. Happy haunting!
Hello everyone! As Libra season comes to a close, I present to you the songs I’ve been rocking with for the past week:
Die Very Rough by Mario Judah: Mario Judah’s theatrical, apocalyptic vocal delivery is something you’d expect from a Disney villain. It may be something of a meme, but it’s undeniably catchy.
Yallwhadinthere by MFnMelo: Pivot Gang’s own MFnMelo showcases an ear-grabbing flow with “Yallwhadinthere”, found on his 2019 project Everybody Eats. Check it out!
We Go a Long Way Back by Bloodstone: Originally released in 1982, this track definitely goes a long way back; however, the classy instrumentation and vocal performances make it just as fresh as it was the day it came out.
Stormy Weather by The Magnolia: With its horn sections, guitar stabs, and pained vocal performance, “Stormy Weather” by The Magnolia is a true blues affair, and makes even the sunniest of days feel dismal in the best way possible.
Bi Fren by Omar Apollo: Fresh off his debut project, Apolonio, Omar Apollo reflects on being the “bi friend” in a one-sided relationship. Review coming soon!
Find Yourself by Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real: At the intersection of blues, soul, and country is “Find Yourself” by Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real. No matter the genre, this song is a genuine display of emotion.
Pac-Man (feat. ScHoolboy Q) by Gorillaz: Through dozens of creative ventures like Blur and Gorillaz, Damon Albarn’s career has spanned more than 30 years. Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez is his latest endeavor, and its laundry list of collaborators, ranging from Elton John to ScHoolboy Q, illustrate his eclectic approach to songwriting.
State Prisoner by Black Thought: Streams of Thought, Vol. 3: Cain & Able is the latest from Roots frontman and lyrical heavyweight Black Thought. “State Prisoner” finds him in top form as he spits over a Sean C instrumental.
Back by popular demand, here is my sample platter for October 2020: a delicious spread of samples used in hip-hop and beyond!
Amen Brother by The Winstons: The “Amen” break is one of the most heavily sampled drum breaks in the history of sampling, and not just in hip-hop. It appears frequently in drum and bass mixes as well.
Footsteps in the Dark, Pts. 1 & 2 by The Isley Brothers: With a career spanning more than five decades, the Isley Brothers are no strangers to sampling. “Footsteps in the Dark” is perhaps their most popular sample, with Ice Cube flipping it on “It Was a Good Day” and Thundercat with “Them Changes”.
Bound by The Ponderosa Twins Plus One: Kanye has a knack for finding loops, making minimal changes to them, and still making a great beat. This is exactly what he did with “Bound 2”, which samples “Bound”.
Prison Song by Carlton Williams: A sample of this song reached the masses thanks to Metro Boomin, who flipped it for Future’s 2017 Mask Off.
Mystic Brew by Ronnie Foster: This song was first sampled by A Tribe Called Quest on their track “Electric Relaxation”. In 2013, J. Cole sampled it in “Forbidden Fruit”, and then he reversed that track to create the beat for “Neighbors”.
Outstanding by The Gap Band: An interpolation of this classic appeared on Tyler, the Creator’s 2017 album Flower Boy via the song “911”.
Use Me by Bill Withers: Like the Amen break, the drum break on this song has been sampled dozens of times, by the likes of Kendrick, Logic, Nas, and Drake.
As Long As I’ve Got You by The Charmels: The opening piano riff of this song is instantly recognizable if you’ve heard “C.R.E.A.M” by The Wu-Tang Clan, which loops it on repeat.
The perfect playlist for an autumn or winter day for relaxing. Think dark academia, the Twilight series, or a Michael Gondry film. Plenty of light instrumentals to melancholic tracks for you to enjoy. Listen here.
