If, like us, you’re bored of listening to the same songs over and over and over and over… reboot your playlist with 10 tracks that have been given the DJ’s stamp of approval.
Dimix is known across the Middle East for his hip hop sets. He’s shared the stage with the likes of Drake, Pitbull and Akon, and now he’s a resident DJ at O1NE Yas Island. Dimix says, ‘I play urban music, which is mostly hip hop, R&B and rap.’ Here, he shares the songs that have been repeating on his iPod lately.
Show Me – Kid Ink featuring Chris Brown
This song was released on September 17, 2013. Brian Todd Collins, known by his stage name Kid Ink, and Chris Brown are recording artists from America. This song made it to 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 list. Dimix says, ‘I love this track. It’s smooth and has a super cool flow.’
Rough Water – Travie McCoy featuring Jason Mraz
Travie McCoy, born Travis Lazarus McCoy, rose to fame as the lead singer of the band Gym Class Heroes. He released his first solo album in 2010. Rough Water was released as a single in 2013. The catchy tune is punctuated by McCoy’s impressive rapping skills, making the song equally appealing to pop fans and hip hop fans alike. As Dimix puts it, ‘This song reminds me of my good friend. She supports me through my moodiness.’
Rear View – Flo Rida featuring August Alsina
Dimix says, ‘This is such an adventurous song. It’s a great one to listen to on a road trip.’ No prizes for guessing that Flo Rida hails from the American state of (almost) the same name. As a teenager, Flo toured with Fresh Kid Ice of the hip hop group 2LiveCrew. The hypnotic beat is almost impossible not to sway to.
Switch Lanes – Tyga featuring The Game
According to Dimix, ‘It’s simply a “boy song”.’ Tyga is the stage name of Michael Ray Nguyen-Stevenson. The name is an acronym meaning Thank You God Always. He’s an American rapper and the cousin of fellow rapper on this list, Travie McCoy. The repetitive bells that provide the background to the song give it a haunting catchiness.
2AM. – Adrian Marcel featuring Sage the Gemini
Adrian Marcel, an R&B singer from Oakland, California, released his first album last year. This is his newest single. Dimix says, ‘It’s the song to listen to after the party when roads are empty and you’re driving fast.’ This is one of the more relaxed songs on this playlist with a smooth transition from verse to chorus.
Marry Me – Jason Derulo
Dimix says, enthusiastically, ‘This song describes my life.’ It’s possible Jason Derulo would say the same thing. He claims he wrote the song a year before it was released in 2013, and that it was about his fiancée Jordin Sparks. The upbeat love song showcases Derulo’s vocal talents more than some of his other, more electronically enhanced sounds.
Beautiful Day – U2
Although he prefers playing hip hop, even Dimix is a fan of the classics. Referring to this hit, he says, ‘It’s my good-morning song when I have a long day that starts really early.’
Don’t Leave Home – Dido
Perhaps the most unexpected track on this list, Dimix says of this one, ‘It’s nostalgic. I don’t even know what it reminds me of but I love it.’ Dido’s sweet, breathy voice shines in this lesser-known tune. The song sounds bright and fresh – putting even the grumpiest listener in a good mood.
Slide Along Side – Shifty
Wondering where you know Shifty from? His hit, Starry Eyed Surprise, is what he’s most known for. But Slide Along Side is the track for Dimix. ‘It’s my all-time favourite song – I’ve loved it since the day it was released.’ It’s got the same catchy 1990s surfer-rap style you can’t help but love.
The Language – Drake
This track from Drake’s newest album, Nothing Was the Same, puts his rap skills on display with a simple beat in the background. ‘I’m a big fan of Drake. I played once at his after-party in Paris back in 2012.’ Drake has recently soared to super stardom, but he got his start acting on the Canadian television show Degrassi.
