QUARANTINE PLAYLIST

by Nzingha Florence

The year of 2020 has been full of new music, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. Artists literally have nothing else to do but make music and work on their craft. Although this period in time really sucks right now, an up-side is being blessed with so much new music. A lot of artists have been giving the proceeds from their new songs to the relief funds as well, so it’s truly a win for us all. Here’s some of my favorite new songs from this year and when I think is the perfect occasion for you to play them.

YOU’RE WORKING OUT AND TRYING TO GET THE BODY YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED

Savage Remix - Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé

Play this song when you’re working out and trying to get the body you’ve always wanted. Meg and Beyoncé shook the world with this remix, not only gracing us with a new summer bop, but also donating the proceeds to Beyoncé’s hometown, Houston. Both women are avid supporters of physical health, so play this song when you’re in need of some motivation to get your body right.

THERE’S TROUBLE IN PARADISE WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER

No Good (Album: A Muse In Her Feelings) - DVSN

Play this song when there’s trouble in paradise with your significant other. This is personally my favorite song on the album, and it’s also the first song on the album. It’s just somber enough to get you in your feelings, but not so sad that it’ll make you cry. The beat and flow of the song honestly makes you want to dance a little bit as well as make-up with your partner.

YOU’VE JUST GOTTEN OUT OF A TOXIC RELATIONSHIP OR FINALLY COMING TO THE REALIZATION THAT YOU’RE IN ONE

Toxic (Album: It Was Good Until It Wasn’t) - Kehlani

Play this song when you’ve just gotten out of a toxic relationship or finally coming to the realization that you’re in one. With Ty Dolla $ign vocals in the background, it’s definitely a song that makes you feel some type of way about what you’re currently going through. Kehlani says a lot of relatable things that people go through in toxic relationships, such as hitting that person up because you miss them, even though you both know you need to let the relationship go. Love can definitely feel like a drug sometimes, especially a love that’s toxic.

YOU’RE FEELING NOSTALGIC

Chicago Freestyle (Album: Dark Lane Demo Tapes) - Drake feat. Giveon

Play this song when you’re feeling nostalgic. The song switches from Giveon’s soft chorus, accompanied by piano playing, to Drake’s rapping over a fastpaced beat. Something about this song that makes you long for a person you haven’t seen in a while. There’s a feeling of nostalgia and missing someone or something from the past, then suddenly being reminded of the current state of your reality.

YOU FEEL LIKE DANCING

Cardigan (Album: Heaven or Hell) - Don Toliver

I like to have random dance sessions or dance breaks while I’m working my job or a daunting project. It helps release some of that tension that has been built up from stressing and trying to accomplish what you’d been working on. I love Don Toliver’s voice cause it’s very unique and unlike any other artist I’ve heard before.

YOU FEELING YOURSELF AND REMEMBERING WHO YOU ARE

B.S. (Album: Chilombo) - Jhené Aiko feat. (H.E.R.)

This is the song you play when you’ve just gotten out of a relationship and you’re “back up on your B.S.” When you finally leave a situation where you knew you were being treated less than you deserve, this is the song you turn on.

YOU’RE LOOKING FOR NEW SONGS FOR A PLAYLIST

12.38 (Album: 3.15.20) - Childish Gambino feat. 21 Savage, Ink, Kadhja Bonet

The beloved Donald Glover finally dropped an album for the first time in four years, since “Awaken, My Love!” in 2016. This is a great song for a new age Neosoul/R&B playlist. It’s kind of long, but it’s a great song to play in the background while you’re studying, spending time with your significant other, or working on a creative endeavor.