The 9th Floor Playlist Update

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3q71bBj
Apple: https://apple.co/3nVDmdb 
Tidal: https://bit.ly/3nX7x3C 
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3mJdG3T

We need to make a confession. The playlist was supposed to be deep in your ear canals weeks ago, but whether it was Mercury in retrograde or readjusting after the full moon, pumpkin spice season was insanity. Autumn is a time of shedding the old and coming into the newness. Let’s say goodbye to our insecurities, and doubts so we can move forward into greatness.

Everyone is experiencing the season in different temperatures and colors all over the world, but one thing remains constant. This is the calm before the storm that is the holiday season, and we need to be our freshest selves when it arrives.  We selected a few songs encompassing the bad energy we need to release and the good vibes we aimed to receive. Don't let the gloomy weather get you down, and prepare yourself for spunky, dessert-filled cuffing season. 

It's a time of new music from artists we haven't heard from in a while and a few fresh tracks from 9th Floor Media mainstays SUBI and Slake Dransky. Every song finds a way to snap you out of the funk and back into the groove. Let us know what you think about the playlist, and stay tuned for more.

“I am not a woman, I’m a god” - Halsey

The lead single from Halsey's fourth album, If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power, is the anthem we need to transform all those sad autumn vibes into an "I'm a whole badass" moment. Leave it up to Halsey to deliver feeling like an imposter and the person you were always meant to be at the same time. Tap into your inner #girlboss and finish out this year with fearless ambition.

"Algorhythm" - Childish Gambino

Right smack in the middle of the pandemic confusion, Childish Gambino released a surprise album, 3.15.20, with cryptic promotion and vague explanation. All the information we needed was that it was jam-packed from start to finish with bangers like Algorythm. As one of the only tracks without a numerically ambiguous decimal title, we have been blessed to experience the blend of funk, hip-hop, and the fully realized artistry of Donald Glover once again.

"damn, wake up" - Slake Dransky, Dylan Montayne

He's back, baby. We let the world know that Slake was cooking up new music in the southern streets of Nashville and now it’s all coming out. Here is a new song fresh out the kitchen featuring New Mexico's independent hip-hop and reggae artist Dylan Montayne based out in Los Angeles. It wouldn't be a Slake Dransky track without a groove, slick lyricism, and a little singing for the people. Don't sleep on this track. Wake that ass up and save this song to your favorite playlist.

“I Don’t Wanna Talk (I Just Wanna Dance)” - Glass Animals

During their Dreamland tour to promote the bass-heavy, dance-inducing album of the same name, Glass Animals released this standalone single with a familiar sound to previous albums while staying true to the new sounds of Dreamland. Eventually, the single was added as (+Bonus Levels) and some other versions of favorite songs from the album. As the song suggests, let's cut it out with all the unnecessary noise and get to the dancefloor and enjoy ourselves.

“Meet Me At Our Spot - Live” - THE ANXIETY, WILLOW, Tyler Cole

We love WILLOW, but this collaboration with Tyler Cole as THE ANXIETY is an entirely different complex experience. I think we might need to have a conversation at the Red Table with Jada and Gam to discuss how this particular song captures a moment we all cherish, whether with friends or lovers. Willow Smith takes after her mother's rock roots with this eclectic, socially conscious alternative punk duo. If you're down to meet us at our spot, we will definitely play this now popular TikTok jam on repeat because it's the perfect vibe for the night.

“Have Mercy” - Chlöe

The talented Bailey sisters are tapping into individual projects to give us more of what we love. While Halle is busy wowing the world as a real-life Disney princess, Chloe respects her mentor Beyonce's name with this after-dark single. In typical fashion for artists of this age, she shows the world that she's more than just a pretty baby face and taps into all her triple-threat capabilities. I don't think we can handle how big it is, and she knows it.

“Off the Chain” - TT The Artist, UNIIQU3

Baltimore-based rapper/producer/singer TT The Artist dropped this track on the 2018 album Club Queens with producer and DJ UNIIQU3 and turned the club all the way up. You might have missed this track if you're not active on social media or Fortnite dance fads, but if you listen closely, you'll notice that they're already setting trends for some of the best music hitting the airwaves today. Turn the volume all the way up, and practice your wall twerks.

"Come Through” - Priyanka, Lemon

The talent on RuPaul's Drag Race don’t always receive all the credit they deserve. Canada's Drag Race stars Priyanka and Lemon created a viral sensation with "Come Through," a song perfect for the runway, getting dressed in the bedroom before the party, or dancing on the rooftop of Los Angeles' hottest venues. Do yourself a favor and watch the music video because you already know these queens are all about the visual performance, hunty.

"edamame (feat. Rich Brian)" - bbno$

From eat ya veggies, the 5th album from Canadian-Armenian rapper bbno$ is a track featuring the shockingly deep voice of Rich Brian, formerly known as Rich Chigga. I fully understand why he changed his name, but I'm happy he changed nothing about his bass-heavy flow. Since this season is all about getting through your funk, recognize your shine, and place this song at the top of your bounce-back soundtrack.

"LALISA" - LISA

Everything makes sense now that LISA, the Thai rapper/singer and member of the South Korean supergirl group BLACKPINK released her lead single from her debut album. Taking a moment to step away from sharing the spotlight, we see LISA make her mark on the charts all by herself, following in the footsteps of her fellow group mates, JENNIE and ROSÉ. The record-breaking track is a charismatic pop song with a culturally-significant video to accompany it. We la-la-love it.

"Peculiar" - SUBI

It's been a fun year for singer-songwriter SUBI. In the middle of continuing her education, she's been busy singing to the locals of Los Angeles at famous venues like El Cid and The Troubadour with her debut performance with a live band. As we enter the new era of the songstress, we are graced with another track, this time a departure from the somber sound for a more upbeat, spirited song that makes you feel like you're falling in love in a magical forest. 

“Mufasa” - ARON, iseekarlo, MYGAL

This young Spanish artist is already making a splash on social media with millions of plays and collaborations with Jesse Baez, Westcoast, and Kevinho. This track from the 2021 EP Nieve sees ARON joined by Vienna-born Spanish producer Iseekarlo and international DJ and Mad Decent collaborator, MYGAL. I mean, that has to be fire if their names sound like 9th Floor Media's Karlo and Mychal. Right?

"flav flav (with Duckwrth)" - Dua Saleh

Sudanese-American singer Dua Saleh might be a familiar face to everyone who binge-watches Netflix's hit show Sex Education. They come from a robust background. Their family are refugees from the Second Sudanese Civil War. Saleh is an educated activist with immense musical talent and the ability to capture the struggle and pride of the queer, trans, and non-binary experience with an homage to all the genre-bending artists of color to come before them. We are watching you, Dua Saleh, and not just on Netflix.

“On My Knees” - RÜFÜS DU SOL

The third single from the highly-anticipated album, Surrender, from the alternative dance group RÜFÜS DU SOL is finally here to remind us why they hold the title as one of the club favorites. The entire album is fit for headlining a music festival or chilling under some mood lighting in your backyard. “On My Knees” is a showcase of what separates them from the typical electronic sound.

"family ties (with Kendrick Lamar)" - Baby Keem

We already knew this was going to be good when we found out Kendrick Lamar was involved. He teams up with his cousin, Baby Keem, after a history of collaboration for an official banger that represents what Kendrick's pgLang imprint has in store for our promising futures. It's been a while since we heard from Kendrick Lamar, and Baby Keem's The Melodic Blue is the antidote. The talent is in their genetics, y’all.

"Easy On Me" - Adele

It wouldn't be sad autumn if we didn't get a surprise single drop from the “Queen of Melancholy Melodies” herself. Every few years, when Adele goes through a series of life experiences, she drops another album based on her age, this time it’s the fourth studio album 30, that quickly summarizes everything she went through and everything we're feeling. “Easy On Me” doesn't pull any punches, and Adele reminds us that she never lost her touch or talent.

"Sometimes (Backwood)" - gigi

Some songs out there can set up an entire cinematic moment, like you're Lucas Hedges in an A24 film battling an identity crisis. The first single from the sultry, classic voice of gigi is that sound. Reminiscent of the talents of Tracy Chapman and Billie Holiday, gigi blends airy falsettos and mature lyricism accompanied by the soothing strings of the guitar. This music should be heard by everyone and not just the folks scrolling through gigi’s impressive Soundcloud roster. 

"10 Things" - Chloe Lilac

“10 Things” is the newest single from Brooklyn-based Chloe Lilac’s upcoming mixtape. If you're going through a breakup with your best friend, it's a different kind of heartbreak that can really take a lot out of you. How do you cope? Chloe puts words to music in this song that best describes the fallout of a toxic friendship. I can think of ten things I like about this song, and every single one has something to do with Chloe Lilac's burgeoning talent.

"Wouldn't Notice" - Ocho Lemon, Gaveci

Minneapolis native Ocho Lemon is a singer/songwriter/producer with a sense of style and bag full of beats. “Wouldn't Notice” is a song made for a drive alongside the coast, with tropical elements and the classic vocals of an iconic "live free or die hard" anthem. He is joined by the musicality of Gaveci, a fresh musician/producer with a seasoned ear and energy malleable to any genre, whether rock, electronic, pop, or metal. We’re on the lookout for more good things to come from Gaveci.

"Fire In The Sky" - Anderson .Paak

The movie “Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” was an adventure, but the soundtrack is something else. While we want to feature the entire album, we shine a light on a 9th Floor favorite, the talented drummer and singer Anderson .Paak. He has a voice made for the Motown era and a musical talent applicable to any popular genre of today. I think Disney should make it mandatory to have an eclectically diverse soundtrack for all Marvel Cinematic Universe films moving forward.

Look out for more from 9th Floor Media!

Tracklist

  1. “I am not a woman, I’m a god” - Halsey

  2. “Algorhythm” - Childish Gambino

  3. “damn, wake up” - Slake Dransky, Dylan Montayne

  4. “Late Bloomer” - Allison Ponthier

  5. “TESSELLATE” - BAYNK, Tei Shi

  6. “I Don’t Wanna Talk (I Just Wanna Dance)” - Glass Animals

  7. “THATS WHAT I WANT” - Lil Nas X

  8. “Angels” - LP

  9. “Meet Me At Our Spot - Live” - THE ANXIETY, WILLOW, Tyler Cole

  10. “Imposible Amor” - Natti Natasha, Maluma

  11. “West Indies” - Koffee

  12. “fue mejor (feat. SZA)” - Kali Uchis

  13. “All Day” - Rendezvous At Two, Tham Sway

  14. “OUT OUT (feat. Charli XCX & Saweetie)” - Joel Corry

  15. “Perra” - J Balvin, Tokischa

  16. “Have Mercy” - Chlöe

  17. “Off the Chain” - TT The Artist, UNIIQU3

  18. “Come Through” - Priyanka, Lemon

  19. “Fake ID” - Riton, Kah-Lo

  20. “edamame (feat. Rich Brian)” - bbno$

  21. “Boyz (feat. Nicki Minaj)” - Jesy Nelson

  22. “LALISA” - LISA

  23. “Girl is a Gun” - Halsey

  24. “Starphucker” - Beauty School Dropout, Royal & the Serpent

  25. “Dirty Dancin” - A.CHAL

  26. “Flocky Flocky (feat. Travis Scott)” - Don Toliver

  27. “TALES OF DOMINICA” - Lil Nas X

  28. “love nwantiti (ah ah ah)” - CKay

  29. “Meu Pisêro” - DUDA BEAT

  30. “Billie Bossa Nova” - Billie Eilish

  31. “Peculiar” - SUBI

  32. “star-crossed” - Kacey Musgraves

  33. “Wide Awake” - FOXTROTT

  34. “RUN” - KWAYE

  35. “Ateo” - C. Tangana, Nathy Peluso

  36. “yoga (feat. Rebecca Black)” - bbno$

  37. “Old School” - Cassy London

  38. “Non dire una parola” - Baby K, Alvaro Soler

  39. “Mufasa” - ARON, iseekarlo, MYGAL

  40. “Garden Party” - Masego, Big Boi, JID

  41. “flav flav (with Duckwrth)” - Dua Saleh

  42. “On My Knees” - RÜFÜS DU SOL

  43. “Losing My Mind (with Elohim)” - Party Favor

  44. “Good Ones” - Charli XCX

  45. “Alter Ego” - Duke Dumont, Channel Tres

  46. “I Am (feat. Flo Milli)” - Baby Tate

  47. “BESITO (feat. G Herbo)” - BIA

  48. “family ties (with Kendrick Lamar)” - Baby Keem

  49. “You Right (feat. The Weeknd)” - Doja Cat

  50. “GLASS WALLS” - Dounia

  51. “Just for me” - PinkPantheress

  52. “Electric - Pokemon 25 Version” - Katy Perry

  53. “Easy On Me” - Adele

  54. “Arcadia” - Lana Del Rey

  55. “Sometimes (Backwood)” - gigi

  56. “AM I DREAMING (feat. Miley Cyrus)” - Lil Nas X

  57. “Hiroshima” - Claire Laffut

  58. “10 Things” - Chloe Lilac

  59. “Red Eye (feat. TroyBoi)” - Justin Bieber

  60. “Wouldn’t Notice” - Ocho Lemon, Gaveci

  61. “Faking Love (feat. Saweetie)” - Anitta

  62. “Bells in Santa Fe” - Halsey

  63. “Watermelon Sugar” - TENDER

  64. “Call U Tomorrow” - Montell Fish

  65. “DownTown” - Halima

  66. “Fire In The Sky” - Anderson .Paak

  67. “gracias a la vida” - Kacey Musgraves

Playlist by Karlo Haddad
Review by Myke Thompson
Photo by Karlo Haddad

PlaylistsMyke Thompson