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“13 Songs Where the Magic is Legit” is comprised of music courtesy of Bruno Mars, BTS, Father John Misty, India.Arie, and Tyler, the Creator.

According to featured guest Rivers Cuomo, “I’ve got the magic in me / Every time I touch that track it turns into gold / Everybody knows I’ve got the magic in me / When I hit the flo’ the girls come snapping at me…” Effin’ A. Prior to that, lead artist Robin Thicke stated, “I got it, you got it, we got that magic girl.” Years before the magic of B.o.B or Thicke would come to fruition, Lil Kim informed us about her own brand of magic (sexually-driven), assisted by 50 Cent.  It’s 50 Cent who gets the most memorable line: “I got the magic stick / I know if I can hit once, I can hit twice.”

The connection between “Magic” (B.o.B. featuring Rivers Cuomo), “Magic” (Robin Thicke), and “Magic Stick” (Lil Kim featuring 50 Cent) is the word magic.  Magic is the keyword on this particular playlist, “13 Songs Where the Magic is Legit.” 13 Songs Where the Magic is Legit is comprised of music courtesy of Bruno Mars (“24K Magic”), BTS (“Magic Shop”), Father John Misty (“So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain”), India.Arie (“That Magic”), and Tyler, the Creator (“New Magic Wand”).

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1. Tyler, the Creator, “New Magic Wand”

IGOR • Columbia • 2019 

“New Magic Wand” keeps the excellence of IGOR going strong.  In the context of Tyler, the Creator’s 2019 album, ‘matters of the heart’ remain the focal point. Tyler makes it clear that ‘she’ needs to get ‘out of the picture.’ “She really fuckin’ up my frame,” he states at the end of the verse, continuing, “She’s not developed like we are.” Hmm, to quote Amy Winehouse, “what kind of fuckery is this?”.

Tyler, the Creator makes it clear that ‘she’s’ not a ‘he,’ thus, not the same sex, which appears to be his preference… maybe. The second verse further fuels speculation as he asserts, “My brother said I’m on the spectrum…” Sure, maybe he’s referring specifically to remarks made by his step brother but given his ‘flirtation’ with sexuality on Flower Boy and now IGOR, the fact that he could be referring to the sexual spectrum seems very possible.  Where does this magic wand come into play? Well, he’s going to remove her from the picture – R.I.P.

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2. India.Arie, “That Magic”

Worthy • BMG Rights Management • 2019

“Hey, the way he touches me is so spiritual / He’s so everything, he’s a miracle, yeah.” Magic indeed! “That Magic,” a highlight from Worthy by Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter India.Arie, is an awesome blend of old-school and new-school.  It ranks among the sleekest productions of Arie’s 2019 LP, but still maintains her refine, adult contemporary R&B/old-school character.

 Worth noting, “In a world of cocaine, he’s like fine champagne.” “That Magic” isn’t the only time during the course of Worthy where India.Arie talks about her man. He also gets shout outs on “Steady Love” and “In Good Trouble.” Yeah, he must be the total package.

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3. BTS, “Magic Shop”

Love Yourself 轉 ‘Tear’ • Bighit Entertainment • 2018

Rising K-pop collective BTS delivered an enjoyable, energetic album with on  Love Yourself 轉 ‘Tear’. “Magic Shop” appears on the historic no. 1 album by the K-pop band.  While “FAKE LOVE” is the crowning achievement from the LP, “Magic Shop” has its fair share of moments.  Among the pros is the production.  Specifically, the hard synths of the EDM production shine on the chorus.

Signaling the energetic chorus are soaring, belted, upper register vocals. Yet another terrific moment occurs on the bridge.

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4. Childish Gambino, “Summertime Magic”

Summer Pack – Single • RCA • 2018

Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover) is nothing short of a gift.  Is there anything that this talented individual can’t do? That’s rhetorical by the way.  Following “This is America”, Glover delivered two singles unattached to an album. One of which is the song at hand, “Summertime Magic”. “Summertime Magic” is relatively simple – it truly ‘is what it is.’ The lyrics are uncomplicated, while the song as a whole is more about good, romantic vibes.  Glover delivers smooth, soulful vocals, similar to those that made “Awaken, My Love!” such a stellar album, specifically “Redbone”.  Further amplifying the magic is slick, urban contemporary production work, not to mention catchy pre-chorus and chorus sections.

On the pre-chorus, Glover sings:

“You feel like summertime
You took this heart of mine
You’ll be my valentine
In the summer.”

Beyond the pre-chorus and chorus, in regard to form, there is only one verse.  Again, the modus operandi is simplicity. Once again, the key word when describing “Summertime Magic” is… SIMPLE.  There’s nothing bigger or more transcendent than good vibes and romance, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

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5. Remy Ma, “Melanin Magic (Pretty Brown)”

Ft. Chris Brown

Melanin Magic (Pretty Brown) [Single] • Reminisce / Columbia • 2018

“Every time Remy touch the city, stop it.” Remy Ma returned strong on the soulful, black-and-beautiful-tinged single, “Melanin Magic (Pretty Brown)”. The soul comes courtesy of a brilliant Mint Condition sample, giving the record a classic, old-school vibe. On “Melanin Magic,” Remy and featured guest Chris Brown seem to embrace good old fashioned, passionate sex.  Remy Ma brags about her melanin magic on the first verse, and her ability to pleasure her man.  The innuendo – rather double entendre – is ‘turned all the way up’ on moments such as, “Always fly, I stay in the cockpit.”

 

Brown follows up with a catchy, sexy chorus.  To his credit, he doesn’t overplay his hand, keeping things much classier than usual.

“You’re my pretty brown eyes
They all on ya and they want you
I know they need you in they life
But you my vibe tonight and I love you…
Them pretty brown thighs between your legs tonight
Is what I wanna do.”

Remy Ma continues to tout her sex and sexiness on the second verse, dropping rhymes about her ‘assets’ (“Ass so soft because it’s not fake”) and curves (“I see you, be on IG ‘I’m thick’”).  Following the chorus, Brown gets his own verse, where he’s true to form: “You know I don’t care, bring that ass right here for me / Take it all off for me baby, lemme see somethin’… / Baby girl you bad as fuck, I’m a really nigga.” Yeah, so much for class.

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6. Gorillaz, “Magic City”

The Now Now • Parlophone • 2018 

The imagination of Gorillaz (Damon Albarn) runs rampant on “Magic City,” a highlight from the 2018 album, The Now Now. “Look, there’s a billboard on the moon” and “Let me take you this far / This crossing isn’t much to me” are some examples of true left-field, WTF moments.

Larry Fitzmaurice (Spin) nails it on the head on his review of The Now Now, stating “If anything, Albarn dips into the same allusion-heavy retro-futurism that marked Arctic Monkeys’ stunning Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino from earlier this year.”  The record is definitely unique, though totally a trip.

“You got me lost in Magic City
You got me questioning it all
I hope that I make it home by Wednesday
And this Magic City lets me go.”

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7. Rudy Mancuso & Maia Mitchell, “Magic”

Magic [Single] • Shots Studio Music • 2018

“Oh, I feel this magic / And it’s deep inside / ‘Cause I believe in magic / When I see your eyes / You know that it’s magic / ‘Cause I believe in magic.” Sigh, entertainers Rudy Mancuso and Maia Mitchell exhibit stellar musical chemistry on the ‘magical’ pop duet, “Magic”, in 2018. “Magic” features simple production work, led by rhythmic acoustic guitar accompaniment.  Mancuso starts things off with clear, easygoing vocals on the first verse.  He has a beautiful, appealing tone.  Lyrically, the first verse of “Magic” is also simple, yet thoughtful.  His exquisite tone carries over into the sweet chorus (excerpted above). Near the end of the chorus, percussion is added to the production.

Maia Mitchell arrives on the second verse.  Like Mancuso, she has a clear, easygoing voice.  The two show their strength together on the second iteration of the chorus. The bridge is gimmicky, playing on the lyric, “I feel it in my body.”  While there’s more modern-pop during this particular portion, it’s not overdone, much like the record as a whole.  All in all, Rudy Mancuso and Maia Mitchell excel.

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8. Father John Misty, “So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain”

Pure Comedy • Sub Pop • 2017

“So the longer I stay here / The longer there’s no future / So I’m growing old on magic mountain…” Grammy-winning alternative musician Father John Misty delivers an exceptional album with Pure Comedy (2017).  Pure Comedy is a more demanding listen compared to I Love You, Honeybear (2015) or its follow up, God’s Favorite Customer (2018). Tillman ranks among the most gifted songwriters in modern times, able to blend the serious, the humorous, and the satirical seamlessly.  He definitely works his magic on Pure Comedy, including the lengthy, 10-minute-long penultimate number, “So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain.”

“As if it’s any time but the present / So for now, every young thing in my path / I’ll hold their face so long inside my hands.” Essentially, “So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain” finds Father John Misty desiring to hold onto youth as long as possible, evidenced by the aforementioned lyrical excerpt from the second verse. He knows its impractical, but he’s clinging onto it as long as he can.  Later, on the third verse, he sings: “These days the years thin till I can’t remember / Just what it feels like to be young forever.”

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9. N.E.R.D., “Lightning Fire Magic Prayer”

No One Ever Really Dies • Columbia • 2017

“Lightning Fire Magic Prayer” is the longest record that appears on No One Ever Really Dies, the long-awaited comeback album from the Pharrell Williams fronted alt-rap-rock-urban collective N.E.R.D. “Lightning Fire Magic Prayer” runs nearly eight minutes long, arriving as a two-part ‘juggernaut’ in the context of the album.  Like “ESP” the precedes it, as well as everything else on the ambitious LP, it’s thrilling, playing up the extraterrestrial vibe that characterizes the album.

“Lightning fire magic prayer / Far beyond the gaseous layer / What if we all put our hands in the air? / For that lightning fire magic prayer.” Despite its duration, “Lightning Fire Magic Prayer” is certainly intriguing, thanks to groove and production switches. The lyrics are distinct as well, with certain moments coming off particularly thoughtful and transcendent.

“A young fish doesn’t know that it’s wet
Once it swims, it starts drinking, it forgets
Know the fish bowl is your technology
No direction sailing everybody follow me.”

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10. Bruno Mars, “24K Magic”

24K Magic • Atlantic • 2016

“Tonight / I just want to take you higher / Throw your hands up in the sky / Let’s set this party off right.” Hell yeah, Bruno Mars! Mars commences the 24K Magic fiercely with “24K Magic”, a title track absolutely drenched in swagger.  He elevates himself as the ‘player of players,’ spitting mad game – understatement (“So many pretty girls around me and they waking up the rocket”).  If he did happen to lack confidence, it never shows on this slick funk opener, a perfect follow-up to another Grammy-winning megahit “Uptown Funk”. 

“24K Magic” is 80s to the core, with the introductory vocoder leading the charge.  The chorus is infectious to the nth degree.

“Players only, come on
Put your pinky rings up to the moon
Girls, what y’all trying to do?
24 karat magic in the air
Head to toe so player
Uh, look out!”

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11.Coldplay, “Magic”

Ghost Stories • Parlophone • 2014

“Call it magic, call it true / I call it magic when I’m with you / And I just got broken, broken into two / Still I call it magic, when I’m next to you.” Prior to the release of Ghost Stories (2014), Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and his wife, actress Gwyneth Paltrow, separated. The connection between Ghost Stories and the breakup is that the album centers around that four-letter word, love. Merely coincidental? Could be, of course but naturally, one wonders what the impact of marriage issues was on this particular album, the subtlest album of the collective’s career.  Coldplay are much more minimal as opposed to maximal.  Enough about the album itself, what about the song at hand, “Magic.”

“Magic” establishes a groove from the onset, taking away some of the enigma that preceded on  “Always in My Head.” Subtlety, as aforementioned, is the modus operandi.  Notably, the subtlety and gradual changes that characterized the minimalist movement in Classical music (1960s) plays a role on this track.  ‘Pulling back’ works soundly for Coldplay.  The utilization of space and pacing is also a pro, aiding “Magic” in achieving the overall ‘magical’ sound. Lyrically, there are some excellent moments, even if “Magic” fails to be a poetic tour de force:

“And I just got broken
Broken into two
Still I call it magic
When I’m next to you.”

In addition to some lyrical highlights, Chris Martin’s falsetto remains in play, and the intensification during the bridge section infuses more energy overall.

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12.Rick Ross, “Black Magic”

Ft. Meek Mill

MMG Presents: Self Made, Vol. 2 • Maybach Music Group / Warner Bros. • 2012

Once upon a time, all rap collectives released compilations.  Naturally, Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group would join the fray, releasing multiple ‘various artists’ projects.  Perhaps my favorite of the bunch was MMG Presents: Self Made, Vol. 2, which arrived in 2012.  One of the best songs from that compilation, “Black Magic,” fits the magical parameters of this playlist.

“Black Magic” is led by the MMG mastermind himself, Rick Ross, with Meek Mill appearing as the featured guest.  “Black Magic” features superb production work that serves as the perfect ‘fuel for the fire’ for a banger.  Safe to say the sound is malicious AF – it literally sounds like ‘hell,’ only in the most heavenly way possible.  Beyond production that malicious AF, the chorus, performed by ‘The Boss,’ is catchy AF:

“Poof! There go the Car
Poof! There go the crib
Poof! A hundred mil, David Copperfield
David Copperfield, David Copperfield…”

As for Meek Mill, as usual, his rhymes are incredibly on his verse.

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13. Ciara, “Love Sex Magic”

Ft. Justin Timberlake

Fantasy Ride • RCA • 2009

“Your touch is so magical to me / The strangest things can happen / The way you react to me / I wanna do something you can’t imagine.” Hot damn! Before digging into the aforementioned hotness, let’s get some background first. Ciara earned a multiplatinum album with her debut, Goodies (2004), as well as a platinum-certified album with follow-up The Evolution (2006).  It’s no surprise why either album featured such notable success with singles like “Goodies”, “1,2 Step” and “Get Up” on hand.  Since those two bright spots, however, the sales/consumption hasn’t been nearly as impressive, including her third album, Fantasy Ride (2009).

Nonetheless, Fantasy Ride had some magical moments including “Like a Surgeon”, “Never Ever”, and the crème de la crème, “Love Sex Magic” featuring Justin Timberlake.  Ciara and Timberlake make a hot team, in more ways than one.  Keeping it strictly musical, “Love Sex Magic” is one hell of a steamy duet. “All night show with just you in the crowd doin’ tracks you never seen” is a perfect example of sexual innuendo.  The duo continues, singing on the chorus, “And I bet that I can make you believe in love and sex and magic.”  It’s steamy on their respective verses as well.  On the second verse, Timberlake sings at the end, “Just do what I taught you girl when I give you my heat / And I need you to push it right back.”

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[Photo Credits: Atlantic, Bighit Entertainment, BMG Rights Management, Columbia, Parlophone, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Shots Studio Music, Sub Pop, Warner Bros.]

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