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Hip-hop is the latest in a long legacy of American musical invention. The latest in a long line of musical brethren (Jazz, Blues, Rock 'n' Roll...), hip-hop has dominated the charts and our hearts for going on 30 years.
Hip-hop is also an awesome genre to explore on vinyl! So what would your hip-hop playlist look like?
View our custom vinyl options here: https://www.freestyle-vinyl.com/collections
Eminem and Lil Wayne - No Love
If you think Eminem is one of the greatest lyricists of all time, this song might be Exhibit A. Lil Wayne kills it… and can’t even hold a candle to the GOAT.
Hottest Bar: I'm standing on my Monopoly board / That means I'm on top of my game and it don't stop / Til my hip don't hop anymore / When you're so good that you can't say it / 'Cause it ain't even cool for you to sound cocky anymore
Tupac – Hit Em Up
Okay, maybe I got a little carried away with that GOAT talk on track 1… because track 2 might be the angriest, gnarliest, greatest offering ever from a father of foundational 90s hip-hop (RIP).
Hottest Bar: First off, f*** your b**** / And the clique you claim / West side when we ride / Come equipped with game / You claim to be a player But I f****d your wife / We bust on Bad Boys / N****s, f*** for life (I told you it was angry)
K-Os - I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman
Don’t we all? This funky actress-inspired song is a straight summer jam if I ever heard one. Bummer it never got the mainstream love it deserved.
Hottest Bar: Back from the future donned in Japanese kimonos / Even though the streets show love, try to see me grow / I often see me floatin', but my shadow it weighs a ton / Call it baggage, I use it all to advantage
Snoop Dogg - Gin and Juice
How does this song hold up so well?! I don’t know, but it does, and I ain’t mad about it.
Hottest Bar: You all know it and sing along with it every time you hear it. Rollin down the street, smokin indo, sippin on gin and juice / Laid back (with my mind on my money and my money on my mind)
Cardi B and Bruno Mars – Please Me
Cardi B is one of the hottest names in the game. And Bruno Mars does nothing but pump out hits. This one is hot and heavy from the jump:
Hottest Bar: Well... most lyrics can't be printed on this family-friendly website!
K’Naan – What’s Hardcore
Side B is going to get a little Indie, a little World, and a lot awesome. K’naan is perhaps Africa’s greatest hip-hop resource, mixing deeply personal and political lyrics with sick minimalist beats. Here's just one example:
Hottest Bar: Journalists hire gunmen there’s violent women / Kids trust no one cause fire burnt them / Refugees die in boats, headed for peace / is anyone scared of death here? Not in the least
Sage Francis – Love the Lie
A godfather of indie hip-hop, Sage Francis is a world renowned lyricist that creates vivid stories that jump off the vinyl. Here's just one of many, many heartfelt and insanely catchy tracks he's put out over his 20+ year career:
Hottest Bar: Pedestals for the parents medicine is on the shelf / Put the trophy in the spotlight watch as it melts / Metal would've survived plastic is cheaper / Ran into the fire she asked me to leave her
Kanye West – Jesus Walks
So this isn’t indie, but it is the first huge mega-hit that has been the huge mega-hit career of Kanye West. Compared to his current work, it does feel pretty indie, doesn't it?
Hottest Bar: My mamma used to say only Jesus can save us / Well mamma I know I act a fool / But I’ll be gone ‘til November I got packs to move I hope / (Jesus Walks)
House of Pain – Jump Around
The OG Hispanic hip-hop crew that paved the way for generations of party animals serve up their biggest hit, which is still bumping in sports arenas around the country.
Hottest Bar: You know its on as soon as you hear: Pack it up, pack it in / Let me begin / I came to win / Battle me that’s a sin
Jurassic 5 – What’s Golden
Raise your hand if you remember listening to Jurassic 5 in your friend’s basement at 12 years old, amazed at what you were hearing because it was so fresh, so real, so unlike anything else out there...
Hottest Bar: Well it’s the verbal Herman Munster / the word enhancer, sick of phony mobsters controllin’ the dance floor. / I been in dark places, catch you when you stark naked / your heart races as we pump you for your chart spaces
Jay-Z – Run This Town
We can’t have an ultimate hip-hop playlist without the Kind of New York telling us about his city.
Hottest Bar: And our girls are blackbirds / riding with they Dillingers / I get more in depth if you boys really real enough / This is la Familia, I’ll explain later / But for now, let me get back to this paper
There you have it! We hope you have enjoyed our playlist, and gotten some inspiration. Now go, build your own hip-hop (or rock, or country, or...) mixtape!
View our custom vinyl options here: https://www.freestyle-vinyl.com/collections
Ah, the 80s. The decade of hope, prosperity, and the synthesizer. Disco was dead, and people weren’t yet depressed enough for grunge. This was a sweet-spot decade, with DJs pumping music in clubs and boomboxes pumping it into the streets. Let's crank up the speakers and dance!
This playlist would fit perfectly on a 12” record – just shy of 22 minutes a side. Think of this as a guide for your own '80s playlist, or just inspiration as you build your own!
View our custom vinyl options here: https://www.freestyle-vinyl.com/collections
Faith – George Michael
Kicking it off strong with an all-time 80s classic. George Michael (RIP) may define the decade better than any other star.
How 80s Is It? 10 out of 10 side-ponytails
Safety Dance – Men Without Hats
Better than the Danger Dance amiright?
How 80s Is It? 7 out of 10 teenage Michael Jacksons
Jump – Van Helen
And this is the point where we have to jump into the hair band world. It just isn't the 80s without ridiculous hair, shiny jumpsuits, and crazy guitar riffs.
How 80s Is It? 8 out of 10 Jane Fonda Workout Tapes
Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
One-hit wonders have a place at Freestyle Vinyl! We may best remember this song from Tommy Boy, a decidedly '90s movie, but we're happy shouting COME ON EILEEN at the top of our lungs no matter what decade it comes from.
How 80s Is It? 6 out of 10 Madonnas
Tainted Love – Soft Cell
This song is so iconic, it's been covered by just about everyone under the sun... including Marilyn Manson, a decidedly non-soft-rocker. I guess you can't control who loves your songs when you know your way around a synthesizer like Soft Cell did!
How 80s Is It? 7 out of 10 Ghostbuster ghosts
Beat it - Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson is almost too iconic to tie down to just one decade. But the 80s was where he thrived. We prefer to keep him there in our memory, and just pretend the 2000s never happened.
How 80s Is It? 9 out of 10 Mr. T's
Down Under – Men At Work
I've never been to Australia. But when I do, I expect this song to be playing on repeat.
How 80s Is It? 10 out of 10 Scrunchies
Super Freak – Rick James
Rick James was an incredible entertainer long before he was a hilarious punchline on Chappelle's Show - unfortunately, we could only choose one of his all-time 80s classics for this mix!
How 80s Is It? 9 out of 10 Ronald Reagans
You Spin Me Right Round – Dead or Alive
I honestly don't know if it can get more 80s than this. That's all I have to say.
How 80s Is It? 10 out of 10 Dead or Alives
Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield
And we round out our Side B with the classic ode to a buddy's girlfriend... wait, what? Come on Rick, that's not cool...
How 80s Is It? 7 out of 10 Top Guns
There you have it! We hope you have enjoyed our playlist, and maybe even gotten some inspiration. Now go, build your own 80s (or 90s, or 2000s, or 2010s, or...) mixtape!
View our custom vinyl options here: https://www.freestyle-vinyl.com/collections
We've all experienced it. That song that reminds you of The One. It comes on the radio (or the Spotify playlist) and hits you with all the feels. All the sudden, all you can do is smile.
Maybe it'll be your first dance (or it already was?). Maybe there's an inside joke tucked in the chorus. Maybe you've never even listened to the song together, but it just hits you, and your heart can't help but be tugged.
This is a mixtape full of those songs. We hope that it serves as an inspiration for you as you build your own playlist(s)!
View our custom vinyl options here: https://www.freestyle-vinyl.com/collections
Luce – Buy a Dog
Who doesn’t dream of the white picket fence, the love of their life, and a loyal doggo?
Best Lyric: The signs said welcome to your life / I looked over you were smiling
Billy Joel – Just the Way You Are
An absolute classic. The ultimate New York singer/songwriter with an ultimate love song.
Best Lyric: I took the good times; I’ll take the bad times / I’ll take you just the way you are
Rihanna – Umbrella
What, you thought this was going to be all ballads? Ri Ri's breakout hit was actually really sweet (and super catchy).
Best Lyric: You’re a part of my entity, here for infinity
Ben Folds – Luckiest
The old man line is a little creepy, but this songs just gets under your skin! Such a sweet ode to his forever love.
Best Lyric: And where was I before the day / That I first saw your lovely face / Now I see it every day
Ben Harper – Happy ever after in your eyes
Gritty, grimy, and straight beautiful.
Best Lyric: Held the sea in your hands / and happy ever after in your eyes
Alessia Cara – Outlaws
Alessia Cara is one of the hottest stars out there, and this is one of her most underrated songs. LOVE. (Also, her music video is all about the vinyl. DOUBLE LOVE.)
Best Lyric: We’ll be outlaws / You and me / They’ll never understand the honor / Among these thieves
Maggie Rogers - Say It
Best Lyric: I knew it when you walked my way / That I'd be begging you to stay.
Toby Lightman – Good Find
This song is stupid hard to find, but is absolutely worth finding. Hard to believe that this massive voice comes out of this tiny woman!
Best Lyric: Every thought I put on trial ends up being guilty / I guess I need good luck on my side / So take those black cats away
Amos Lee – Sweet Pea
Amos sings fantastic songs about the bohemian life. Our favorites include Night Train and Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight. This time, he’s just all about his Sweet Pea.
Best Lyric: I’m like the Rock of Gibraltar / I always seem to falter
Marc Broussard – Where You Are
The heartfelt croonings of this New Orleans soul-folk all-star round out Side B in high style.
Best Lyric: And I want to love you better / and nowhere is too far / I want to let you know forever is right here in my heart
There you have it! We hope you have enjoyed our playlist, and gotten some inspiration. Now go, build your own romance mixtape!
View our custom vinyl options here: https://www.freestyle-vinyl.com/collections
So. You're starting your vinyl collection -- or looking to upgrade your music-playing game. Awesome! We here at Freestyle Vinyl are always excited to give a helping hand to make sure our records have a happy home.
Below we have provided just a few recommendations based on our experiences to help complete your home vinyl haven. Our recommendations are organized by price (low to high). No recommendations are sponsored or paid for. They're just our humble opinion!
Have any other questions? We'd be happy to help any way we can! Just hit us up on the "Contact Us" page any time!
View our custom vinyl options here: https://www.freestyle-vinyl.com/collections
1. Jensen JTA-222 3-speed Turntable. ~$50.
The Jensen features two front-facing speakers, AM/FM radio, external RCA speaker output jacks (juuuust in case you want some more oomph to your music), stereo headphone jack, and dust cover.
This turntable is a classic, with a beautiful antique wooden case and the ability to groove all your jams, from the romantic ballad to the hard rock headbanger. The JTA-222 is packed with all the features you need, at an incredible value!
2. Crosley Cruiser II - ~$80-90
Made of wood and bound in a leatherette material, this briefcase-style turntable is lightweight and easily transported (although we don't actually recommend trying to play vinyls while you run around the city). It features built-in stereo speakers and an RCA Audio output, just in case that's not enough sound for you.
An AC power adapter is included, but the available battery power (using 6 AA batteries) makes for true freedom--you never have be tethered to an outlet again! Cruise over to a friend's house and experience vinyl's superior sound together.
3. Audio Technica AT-LP60-BT Bluetooth Wireless Turntable - ~$200
The AT-LP60-BT gives you all the great features you're looking for... plus Bluetooth wireless connectivity. So you can set up your turntable in one room and listen to it in another without having to run a bunch of cables. Up to eight different pairs of speakers, headphones or other devices that utilize Bluetooth wireless technology can be stored in the AT-LP60-BT’s memory. Once stored, a simple push of a button is all that is required to connect the turntable to your chosen wireless device.
The AT-LP60-BT also gives you the option of operating it just like a regular turntable with a traditional wired connection. Either way, you get outstanding audio with the ease of automatic operation.
1. AirFrame Solid Wood Frame Alternative
Essentially a really beautiful, classic-looking shelf custom designed to display your vinyl record jacket with ease and class.
2. Q Record Mounts
1. Sony MDR-RF912RKWireless RF Headphone - ~$80
With a range of up to 150 feet, these headphones ensure you can enjoy your true vinyl tunes anywhere in the house. Up to 13 hours of battery life means you can enjoy all day!
2. Beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium 32 OHM Headphones - ~$200
Beyerdynamic headphones are high-end, complete-sound, I-love-music type headphones that should cover all of your needs. The high frequencies sound crystal clear, the balanced mids analytical and strong, and the bass voluminous. Music lovers delight in its natural, vibrant sound as well as its excellent spacious reproduction. The DT 880 Edition are not fully noise-cancelling, but will fill your head with enough music to think they are!
View our custom vinyl options here: https://www.freestyle-vinyl.com/collections
