Dubb's New Definition of Summer Madness

The other day, June 9th to be specific, I had a crazy moment as I stared half awake at the mirror at 8 am. After a solid but nondescript weekend I pondered whether the summer upon us could possibly live up to the winter endured to get here. More importantly for the moment anyway, was summer slipping away already? On June 9th, really, I had this thought? I'm still a bit confused by it, but have found some solace in the following list, as well as Uncle L's recent post at our blog cuz Oregano Flo. Except for that Wal-Mart shit, I felt weird again after that.

Anyway, let's go on a journey of the history of the Summer Anthem. And by history I mean whatever I had on my computer that fits the descrip, as well as some key assists from YouTube. This is by no means comprehensive, but it is in fact compiled with superior knowledge on the subject, as the 3rd volume of my critically acclaimed "Summer Jams" series drops on July 1st (Setting World Records).

To qualify for this summertime honor, the song shouldn't drop much before June of the given summer (certainly no earlier than May) and must show strong staying power throughout. The onus first and foremost is on the music to evoke feelings of summer from the listener. In this case, lyrics come second but can put the track over the top. Nostalgia or simply liking a song and burning it all summer doesn't do it alone. This one takes me back to many summers of yesteryear (and is a fuckin' banger!) and this one will be heard in Lazytown all summer. Neither qualify remotely.

Let's get to some categories:

We made it a bit to easy by including "summer" in the song title, but ya don't have shit else to say Summer Anthems:

• DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime...it really get's no better than this, but how 'bout a hand to Rakim for letting Will steal his flow here. Also, let's bring that leapfrog shit back this summer, jumping over each other's shoulders has summer written all over it.

• The Dove Shack - Summertime in the LBC..."Water blooon fiyghters"

Only to be played on the late night creep Summer Anthems:

• Ice Cube - You Know How We Do It...also prob the best of it's kind and one of the best of any kind really...you get it.

• 2Pac - Late Night (ft. AMG, DJ Quik)...the original version of the song, never really given a proper release in any form but is sure to make bitches think.

We wouldn't exist without the joints we bit, stole, sampled and chopped and also fuck you, Summer Anthems:

This of course is not to say the the previous songs don't lean on samples as well, but these next few utilize summer sounds that cannot be turned into anything but a great warm weather track.

Original:

• Eddie Kendricks - Intimate Friends

A couple of many:

• Sweet Sable - For Old Time's Sake...from the Above the Rim Sdtk., which is chock full of summer shit.

• 213 - Another Summer...a Kanye production that probably took him 5 minutes and I do not care.

Original:

• Willie Hutch - I Choose You

One of many:

• UGK - International Player's Anthem (ft. Outkast)...and the memories come flooding back (last year's winner).

General, all-purpose Summer Anthems and our token Mobb Deep cut (what up J Brilliant)

• The Dove Shack - This is the Shack...sorry I miss these fellas, maybe they're reading...yep, I bet they are.

• Tha Dogg Pound - Big Pimpin'...they have a large library of summer joints, here's one.

• 2Pac - I Get Around (ft. Shock-G, Money B)...clearly.

• The Coup - Shoyoass...this may qualify as the one nostalgic stretch for me, what up wit ya '06.

• Mobb Deep - Temperature's Rising...here's one for the NY Folks, sorry your shit don't usually resonate with me in that certain way in the summer, work on it.

• Horton & August (B.P.B) - June, July and... Now here's the type of sleeper pick that garners critically acclaimed status, it's really just expected of me at this point.

The contender(s) for '08 Summer Anthem

• Lil' Wayne - Let the Beat Build...off The Carter III, hopefully this is just a starting point because this will not suffice all summer. I'll throw out more options as they come, but hey, at least we got a long way to go...I think?