The hot weather is creeping in for many of us, and this of course means we need some dope tunes to accompany the sunshine. Our list provides you with some summertime essentials which will help you along the way whilst sipping on those alcoholic beverages outdoors, BBQ-ing during the day and partying on those hot summer nights.
Our list takes you back to some classics that you will no doubt hear throughout the summer as well as those more recent tracks that have a summer-influenced flavor, or just make you feel like you need to be out on a sandy beach. Blast these in your whip, or while you are chilling -- these tracks will definitely ease you into the hot weather.
Let us know in the comments what you favorite summertime hip-hop track is!
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Summertime (1991)
This track will probably go down as one of the biggest summer anthems in history. “Summertime” has been around for 23 years, but it will never get old. This staple will forever have its place when the sun shines.
Jay Z featuring UGK – Big Pimpin’ (2000)
The best pimping always happens in the summer. No doubt that the Egyptian sample in this track and the visuals showing Jay living a lavish lifestyle on a yacht surrounded by beautiful women and alcohol makes you instantly feel like you are on vacation when this drops.
Snoop Dogg – Gin and Juice (1993)
Produced by Daz Dillinger and Dr. Dre, this was Snoop’s second single from his debut album, Doggystyle. It is the perfect track to bop your head along to in the hot weather.
Still D.R.E. – Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg (1999)
Dr. Dre gave us an epic summer track here in 1999. Add a lowrider and some sexy ladies, and this should definitely be blasted in your whip on the hottest days of the year.
213 - Another Summer- Warren G (2004)
Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg & Warren G - 213 - Another Summer (2004)
A self-proclaimed “summer anthem”, this is a great joint to chill out to. Snoop says it all in the opening lyrics to this track, which samples Alicia Keys' "Unbreakable," produced by Kanye West.
“A pool party at the church/G'd up and others barbequein/Ain't no telling what your daddy and your momma doing/Chewing on these baby-backs popping bottles with these macks/Everybody swimming, backyard full of women”
Kanye West – Good Life featuring T-Pain (2007)
Summertime is all about partying, BBQ’s, sipping on cocktails, laying on the beach in the heat and listening to the great music. This has to be the “Good Life”
Kanye’s definition of the “Good Life” is a little different however –“Have you ever popped champagne on a plane, while gettin some brain?” Nevertheless, this is an essential summertime staple!
Ice Cube – It Was A Good Day (1993)
Amidst all the problems that come along with being a G, Ice Cube decided to write this track about all the good things he experienced on one day in South Central Los Angeles. This went onto be one of the biggest tracks Ice is known for.
“It Was A Good Day” no doubt exudes that chilled-out vibe. Just ignore the bit at the end when Ice Cube is surrounded by the police!
Kendrick Lamar featuring Dr. Dre - The Recipe (2012)
The West Coast (California specifically) is responsible for giving us some dope summertime music, and why wouldn’t they when they are blessed with such awesome weather?
KDot and Dr. Dre got together to inform us of “The Recipe” that no doubt dictates California culture - women, weed, and weather. Seriously, what more do you need?
Memphis Bleek - Dear Summer featuring Jay Z (2005
Memphis Bleek featuring Jay Z - Dear Summer (2005)
Memphis Bleek is really nowhere to be found on this track, which is taken over by Jay Z with a freestyle. Hov refers to summer metaphorically here, a time when some of his best music was released. Jay was saying goodbye to his career during what was meant to be his “retirement”.
Just Blaze’s production provides a good vibe on this track, which is a great listen.
Lupe Fiasco – Kick Push (2006)
Lupe follows the life of a skateboarder in this classic of his. The sample used from Celeste Legaspi makes it more than appropriate for the hot weather. This song is no doubt something that all skateboarders can relate to.
Ruff Ryders’ Anthem - DMX
This track is guaranteed to get you turnt up for a hot summer evening, especially when you are riding “ruff” in your vehicle.
Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg - Young, Wild and Free (2011)
Summertime is all about going crazy and being carefree. Wiz and Snoop send out this message on their feel-good track as the weed ambassadors of hip-hop.
Warren G featuring Nate Dogg – Regulate (1994)
This Warren G classic was released back in the summer of 1994, and stayed around the charts for a minute. Years later, it is still a summertime essential track with its laid back beat and G-funk sound.
2 Pac – I Get Around (1993)
One look at the official video for this will tell you why this had to be one of our Summertime Staples. 2Pac and his homies looked like they were living the life, complete with a pool, BBQ chicken, ladies, and alcohol.
Atmosphere – Sunshine (2007)
Atmosphere deserve major kudos for describing those summer days to a "T." In their poetic ways, they spit bars on overcoming a hangover with the help of Advil, appreciating the weather, then taking a ride on a bike through the sunshine, attending a BBQ and shooting some hoops.
Fabolous - It's My Party (2003)
The summer weather is always a good reason to party.
Fabolous gave us this club banger which was a promotional single in the early part of his career. Fab showed us that he no doubt knew how to hold a dope party, even being kind enough to invite us to stroll by.
Schoolboy Q – Man of The Year (2013)
Although not released in the summer, Schoolboy’s “Man of The Year” certainly gives us a feeling that is fit for the hot weather, thanks to the dope beat alongside a sample from Chromatics’ “Cherry”. You might even be tempted to hit the beach when you see how much fun Schoolboy Q has with his many lady friends in the official video.
The Pharcyde - Passin' Me By (1993)
“Passin' Me By” was the second single released by The Pharcyde. A classic from the '90s, this track takes samples from "Summer in the City" by Quincy Jones, "125th Street Congress" by Weather Report and "Are You Experienced?" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. On this throwback cut, the group’s L.A. vibe gives you a sweet chill-out joint.
Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell Williams – Beautiful (2003)
When the beat to “Beautiful” drops you instantly think of sunshine and hot ladies. With the official video set in Lapa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Snoop and Pharrell enjoy their fair share of both of these.