By Rachael Simoes

 

Spotify DJ

 

People-pleasing is the name of the game. This was a piece of wisdom Chloë shared with me while I chose between songs on Spotify that were being played out loud, on speakers, at Jay’s party. Or, when I was being a Spotify DJ, should I say.

 

I stepped on the laptop fairly early on, a total of two dancers supporting the vision. Despite this, I got a fair amount of compliments about my selection. This part of the night consisted mostly of Brasilian-funk. For all the fans out there, here’s a list of some of those bangers.

 

Sexy Black Timberlake – Channel Tres

Vai Embrazando – MC Zaac, MC Vigary

Conto do Pescador – MC Menor da VG

Cara de Mau – MC Bin Laden

Na Ponte Ela Fica – Delano

Você Me Deixou – MC Fioti

Con Altura – ROSALÍA, J Balvin, El Guincho

LITE SPOTS – KAYTRANADA

 

I stepped down from the booth (corner of the living room where the laptop was on a weird tall table thing) after a while of selecting so Jay could put some house on. I liaised with my supporters and stole some cranberry juice.

 

Time went by and I was summoned back to be the life of the party. It was later on in the night, more people were drunk enough to be on the dancefloor. The stakes were high- the right tunes needed to be played for them to stay on the dancefloor. 

 

It was a rocky start. How was I supposed to know people with a degree from Cambridge wouldn’t be familiar with very particular rappers from South East London? People we’re standing, not even a bop of the head. Something needed to change. I had to play what the people wanted. I had to ask “who is my audience?”

 

I went on Jay’s pre-made “pardy” playlist for some inspiration. The first song I recognised was 21 Questions by 50-Cent. From there on out it was a throwback party. Here’s a list of some of the songs that got the biggest responses.

 

Turn Me On – Kevin Lyttle

Lip Gloss – Lil Mama

Fergalicious – Fergie

Anaconda – Nicki Minaj

 

A very short list from a very bad memory. So here’s a bunch of other party song recommendations I possibly played from the night.

 

Check On It – Beyoncé, Bun B, Slim Thug

Nasty Girl – The Notorious B.I.G. ft. Diddy, Jagged Edge, Nelly & Avery Storm

Señorita – Justin Timberlake 

Girls Dem Sugar – Beenie Man, Mya

Clout – Ty Dolla Sign, 21 Savage

Goosebumps – Travis Scott

Sol – 808INK, Sam Wise

Money – Cardi B

Campfire – Aminé

Frontin’ – Pharrell Williams, JAY Z

Fade – Kanye West

Hot In Herre – Nelly

P.I.M.P. – 50 Cent

Beautiful Girls – Sean Kingston

Praise The Lord – A$AP Rocky, Skepta

Ye – Burna Boy

POW – Lethal Bizzle

 

To be clear, these are songs I think I played at Jay’s house party. All bangers in my eyes, but not the kind of songs I would play in my dream set where everyone has my exact taste in music. Here are some songs that I would play in that scenario.

 

BOP -DaBaby

10 Freaky Girls – Metro Boomin, 21 Savage

Ginza – J Balvin, Anitta

Touch My Body – Mariah Carey

45 With Sam – 808INK, Sam Wise

Bet – Octavian, Skepta, Michael Phantom

Dark Vader – J Hus

Juicy – Doja Cat

Velocidade 6 – Mulher Melancia

 

In conclusion, I think my first DJ set wasn’t too shabby. Invite me to your house party and give me free drinks so that you can have your very own Spotify DJ. Hope I gave you some new music to add to your playlist.