With the summer in full swing, members of the Urban Pitch team share some of their favorite songs of the season.
There’s something about the summer that lends itself to a playlist. Sure, there is plenty of music that fits the other three seasons of the year (shoutout Vivaldi), but none are as apparent as summer songs. After all, no one’s ever said, “This is going to be the song of the spring!”
Whether it’s pool parties, terrace dining, or simply being outside in general, the summer demands a soundtrack. And we at Urban Pitch strive to give that to you. After a successful list in 2023, check out our team’s favorite songs for summer 2024.
“SORRY 4 THAT MUCH” — Feid
It’s been the summer of Colombia. Not only did Los Cafeteros make it to the Copa America final, but Feid dropped this absolute banger as well. The lyrics, in classic Feid style, are reminiscent of an ex-lover but it isn’t the defining moment here. The hook steals the show and Feid’s signature dembow riddim is a definite on-the-beach vibe. If you’re looking for the perfect beach cookout song, look no further. — Javier Perez
“FallThru” — NxWorries
The long awaited follow up to 2016’s stellar Yes Lawd!, NxWorries’ Why Lawd? lives up to its lofty expectation. Anderson .Paak’s silky vocals were made to float over producer Knxwlege’s smooth looped instrumentals, and while there are several standout tracks on their sophomore effort, none are as bright as “FallThru.”
As groovy as you can get, “FallThru” is everything that .Paak and Knx do best. With a runtime of just over two minutes, the track is criminally short — a running theme amongst the entire NxWorries discography. Nonetheless, it’s extremely re-listenable, and I’ve often caught myself running it back two or three times in a row. — Ramsey Abushahla
“Blessings” — Ghetts ft. Muzi
Ghetts released one of our favorite albums of 2024 (so far) in the form of On Purpose, With Purpose. Fans have been drawn to the emotive “Double Standards” with Sampha’s gentle vocals. Or “Anakin (Red Saber)” is an excellently fierce track. But “Blessings” is the perfect summer vibe. It has a tropical soundscape with a smooth riddim and is an encouragement to appreciate the good things in life. — Victoria Hernandez
“TGIF” — Glorilla
If you were wondering what song TikTok decided would run the summer, you found it. From well before Glorilla dropped the full-length track, it had blown up on socials massively, and for good reason. The beat hits so hard, and Glo’s flow matches up perfectly. The energy is infectious.
No summer playlist is complete without a proper bop for the ladies and Glo has been on a sensational run as of late with this track probably the pick of the bunch. — Lyle-Anthony Golding
“Étouffée” — Vince Staples
Vince Staples has established himself as a unique presence in the West Coast rap scene. He is plenty capable of typical SoCal funk-infused songs. But what makes him special is how he blends different sounds into his own style. “Étouffée” is a really fun track that infuses New Orleans bounce and pays tribute to the Big Tymers. There’s some clever lyricism like, “Ridin’ with the stick like witchcraft/Findin’ beauty in the darkness like Rembrandt.” It’s a celebration of authenticity and making it despite the odds. — Victoria Hernandez
“Dem Ears” — Racquel Jones and Fabian Mazur
Ever since I came across Racquel Jones’ incendiary album IgnoRANT back in 2021, she has become one of my favorite rappers. Honest, fiery, and with a vulnerability draped in confidence, her music has a way of cutting right to the bone, shocking you and making you reflect simultaneously. Her recent release, “Dem Ears,” a collaboration with Fabian Mazur, is a trap banger that holds nothing back. From the flawless flow of lyrics to the electronic breakdowns, this song will get you moving. And it may just be me, but I’m obsessed with the drumbeat intro that gives off “Drop It Like It’s Hot” vibes. — Patti Sanchez
“Black Popstar” — Rapsody ft. DIXSON
I dare you do not shimmy your shoulders while listening to this song. On “Black Popstar,” Rapsody gives fans a moment to let loose and have some fun while she spits some bars about flexing how she wants to. The mechanical song ends with a reflection about facing real life. It’s good to keep reality in mind, right? — Victoria Hernandez
“Cinderella” — Future ft. Travis Scott
A trap banger is essential in every summer playlist, and Future has long been the king of this genre. His collab album with MetroBoomin We Don’t Trust You is one of the best projects released this year and there are so many songs you could add to your library.
For me, Travis Scott is the perfect X-factor to a track that was already a huge vibe. “Cinderella” hits differently whether you’re on a long drive, chilling by the pool, or at a cookout. — Lyle-Anthony Golding
“San Fernando Rose” — LA LOM
Taking you back in time through instrumental covers of songs you remember your Abuela or Tia blasting on the radio as a kid, or with original music of their own, L.A. local band LA LOM always hits the sweet spot of nostalgic sentimentality with a new shiny polish. Their most recent single “San Fernando Rose” drops you right into the middle of a hot summer’s day — the kind where everything feels a little dreamy, and the possibility for love (or at least lust) is right around the corner. Perfect for relaxing at the beach, alongside a pool, or cruising, I love the subtlety and oh-so-cool nature of this band and their new single. — Patti Sanchez
“Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar
Come on, I had to. No matter what Drake stans claim, “Not Like Us” has been ubiquitous since it shook the Earth upon its release. The diss track that proved to be the killshot in Kendrick Lamar’s beef with Drake, “Not Like Us” has only been around for about three months, but it feels like it’s been a lifetime.
Compared to the harrowing nature of previous disses like “meet the grahams” and “6:16 in LA,” “Not Like Us” is almost impossibly catchy, and can be played anywhere from the club, to the barbecue and the gym. It’s a rare four-quadrant diss track that has as much viciousness as it does replay value. “Not Like Us” is still near the top of the Billboard Hot 100, and was at the No. 1 spot as recently as the week of July 20. It doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere anytime soon either.
Stream the Urban Pitch Sumer Playlist on Spotify and Apple Music.
