15 Songs Featuring Music Genres in their Title | Playlist 🎧

1. Janet Jackson, “R&B Junkie”

💿 Damita Jo • 🏷 Virgin • 📅 2004

“I feel like bumpin’ to some old school / I feel like dancin’ all night with you.” Cool, 🎙 Janet Jackson, cool! The 🏆 five-time Grammy winner’s 2004 album, 💿 Damita Jo, certainly couldn’t have arrived at a more inopportune time.  It followed the infamous SuperBowl XXXVIII controversy, not to mention being released the same week as 💿 Confessions (yes 🎙 Usher’s diamond-selling masterpiece).  Ultimately, what made the album ‘problematic’ for Jackson at the time was how sexually charged it was, not a good look given the nip-slip.  Oh, well, can’t cry over spilled milk – it’s over and done with.

One of the less sexually charged joints on Damita Jo was the groovy, dance cut, 🎵 “R&B Junkie.”  Let’s just say if I had to avoid playing “Strawberry Bounce” with the parents at home, I could pull off the old-school vibes of “R&B Junkie” (and excellent follow-up, “I Want You”).  Of course, Janet remains sexy, asserting on the chorus, “Time to set it off, we can bump, bump all night / Wanna get my freak on, DJ keep the party hype.”  I mean, I’m pretty sure, after the club, it’s going down.  I mean, shouldn’t we totally read into lyrics like, “Tell me, can you keep it up? /… Till they kick us out the club boy?” Ooh la la!

2. Daft Punk, “Lose Yourself to Dance”

Ft. Pharrell Williams

💿 Random Access Memories • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2013

“Everybody’s dancing on the floor / Getting ready for more / (Come on, come on, come on…) / Lose yourself to dance!” 2013 was a big year for French electronic music duo, 🎙 Daft Punk (🎙 Thomas Bangalter and 🎙 Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo).  The collective (who sadly called it quits in 2021) released their highly successful album, 💿 Random Access Memories, which debuted at no. 1 no the Billboard 200, and went on to win 🏆 four Grammys including Album of the Year. Pretty epic! Among the gems from this fine album is 🎵 “Lose Yourself to Dance” which appears the sixth track on the album beginning a trio of three epic records (🎵 “Touch” and 🎵 “Get Lucky”).

On “Lose Yourself to Dance,” 🎙 Pharrell Williams makes his first of two appearances on Random Access Memories.  Sure, his second appearance is the most heralded (“Get Lucky”), but he’s on-point on “Lose Yourself to Dance” too. His falsetto is a perfect match for Daft Punk’s soul-soaked production work, period. Williams delivers such memorable lines as “Here take my shirt and just go ahead and wipe up all the sweat! Sweat! Sweat!” as well as the repeated titular lyric.  Running nearly six minutes in duration, “Lose Yourself to Dance” is a total electronic vibe, particularly the ripe rhythmic guitar, courtesy of the legendary 🎙 Nile Rodgers.

3. Polo G, “RAPSTAR.”

🎵 “RAPSTAR” • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2021

🎙 Polo G doesn’t slow down in the least in 2021 judging by his terrific new single, 🎵 “RAPSTAR”. “RAPSTAR” shines from the get-go.  Well produced, 🎛 Einer Bankz and 🎛 Synco definitely set up Polo G for success.  The backdrop balances the best of both worlds – it goes hard yet also brings a more chill, mellow vibe too.

As for Polo, he blesses us with both a sweet, rhythmic flow as well as a melodic rap performance.  What I love about his performance is how we naturally get this contrast of the street/toughness with sheer beauty – harmoniousness.  With Polo remaining ‘on’ throughout the course of “RAPSTAR,” his best moment is undoubtedly the chorus, which screams H-I-T. Ultimately, “RAPSTAR” marks another strong showing for the rapper, who definitely brings great personality, rhymes, and a sweet melodic approach to the table.

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4. Brittany Howard, “13^th Century Metal”

💿 Jaime • 🏷 Brittany Howard / ATO • 📅 2019

🎵 “13^th Century Metal” is nothing short of wild.  The record is characterized by its loud, rhythmic backdrop as well as its unique spoken word performance by 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 Brittany Howard.  This is another socially conscious moment from the Alabama Shakes front woman’s superb solo debut, 💿 Jaime.

On “13^th Century Metal,” Howard taps into religion (“I promise to love my enemy / And never become that which is not God”) and also politics (“I am dedicated to oppose those whose will is to divide us / And who are determined to keep us in the dark ages of fear”).  Focused on unity, on this quirky but ambitious joint, two key phrases are “We are all brothers and sisters,” and “Give it to love.” “Give it to love,” notably is actually sung by background vocalists.  The end result of “13^th Century Metal” is a record that’s different, distinct, and incredibly captivating.

5-6. Thomas Rhett, “What’s Your Country Song”

💿 Country Again (Side A) • 🏷 Big Machine • 📅 2021

“Did you grow up on a tractor? / Did your daddy let you drive? / Are you whiskey bent and hell bound?”  While the answers to the questions that 🎙 Thomas Rhett asks are a NO on my end, people who are from ‘the country’ most likely will answer, yes. 🎵 “What’s Your Country Song” keeps things relatively simple, but it’s also quite enjoyable, even if you’re not a country boy/gal.

Like the two songs preceding it on 💿 Country Again (Side A), “Your Country Song” retains a more traditional country sound – in a contemporary country sort of way.  The production is heavy on guitar, certainly checking off a country box. Like the aforementioned lyrics excerpted from the first verse, Rhett asks about country experiences throughout to others who have similar experiences.  Given that, he concludes, everyone with such experiences has their own country song, captured perfectly on the chorus.

Rhett also has another notable country moment with 🎵 “Country Again.” This has a strong case as the sincerest ballad on the album (🎵“Heaven Right Now” gets the edge). “Country Again” is a song that really finds Thomas Rhett reclaiming his roots after shedding them.  No, not merely shedding a crossover approach to country music, but based on the songwriting, his actual life and how he’d moved away from what he was/his roots to some extent.  Now, as he’s became older, he’s returned to being ‘country again’ even if certain things have totally changed.  “But last night, we cracked some cold beers and craned Eric Church to ten,” he sings, he recalls of a meeting with his “back home buddies,” reflecting, “‘Man, it feels good to be country again.’”

7. DJ Khaled, “POPSTAR”

Ft. Drake

💿 KHALED KHALED • 🏷 We The Best / Epic • 📅 2021

🎵 “Popstar”, a highlight from 💿 KHALED KHALED, the 2021 album by 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 DJ Khaled, is a banger by design. It’s a ‘by the book,’ bravado-heavy trap joint.  The production by Khaled, 🎛 OZ, and 🎛 David & Eli is sound but not game changing. Featured guest, 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 Drake is locked-in to high flex mode, which is clear when the chorus drops right after the brief intro.

“Bitches callin’ my phone like I’m locked up, nonstop
From the plane to the fuckin’ helicopter, yeah
Cops pullin’ up like I’m givin’ drugs out, nah, nah
I’m a popstar, not a doctor.”

This is one of the selling points of “Popstar,” even if it lacks profundity. Beyond the chorus, things don’t get any deeper as Drizzy spends time flexing about his tough, swagger-laden ‘pop star status’ which includes any girl he wants, anything he wants – etc., etc., etc.! Of course, 🎙 Justin Bieber stars in the music video for the joint.

8. Panic! At the Disco, “This is Gospel”

💿 Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die • 🏷 Fueled By Ramen • 📅 2013

🎵 “This Is Gospel” sets the tone for 💿 Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!, the fourth studio album by 🏆 Grammy-nominated alternative collective, 🎙 Panic! At the Disco.  Of course, PATD has long been dominated by its front man (and now sole remaining member), 🎙 Brendon Urie.  And let’s be honest, would it be hard to believe any gospel that Urie was selling? I mean, for one, he has the voice of a god, and two, well, he’s pretty easy on the eyes, right? Just some observations!

“This is the gospel for the vagabonds
Ne’er-do-wells and insufferable bastards
Confessing their apostasies...”

“This is Gospel” is characterized by creative lyrics (aforementioned), energetic production, and a gargantuan refrain. Groovy, with Urie’s whiny, dramatic vocals shining, “This is Gospel” transcends being merely another emo song.  Its numerous musical influences are at work, a characteristic that remains afloat throughout Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die.  Of course, the main attraction – other than Brendan 😍 – is the chorus:

“If you love me, let me go
These words are knives and often leave scars
The fear of falling apart...”

Good stuff, good stuff.

9. Eric Church, “Rock & Roll Found Me”

💿 Soul • 🏷 EMI Records Nashville / UMG Recordings, Inc. • 📅 2021 

“I turned on my amps and all at once my blind could see / Yeah, when rock and roll found me.”  Now that is one hell of lyric from 🎵 “Rock & Roll Found Me,” the awesome opener from 💿 Soul, the second of two (technically three) albums released in 2021 by 🎙 Eric Church. Church spends the time to say all of the things he’s done wrong but asserts that music – specifically rock – spoke to him.  Amen!

The 🏆 Grammy-nominated artist’s “Amazing Grace” isn’t Biblical or spiritually driven.  Even so, his experience is definitely relatable.  Making things even better, beyond the superb lyrics, Church gives a terrific vocal, has ‘lit’ production to work with (🎛 Jay Joyce), and a sweet groove.

10. DaBaby, “Rockstar”

Ft. Roddy Ricch

💿 BLAME IT ON BABY • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2020 

“Let’s go / Brand new Lamborghini, fuck a cop car / With the pistol on my hip like I’m a cop.” Woo, 🎙 DaBaby! He continues, “Have you ever met a real nigga rock star? / This ain’t no guitar, bitch, this a Glock.” The 🏆 Grammy-nominated rapper enlists his fellow 🏆 Grammy-nominated rapper 🎙 Roddy Ricch on his dominant no. 1 hit “Rockstar” (💿 BLAME IT ON BABY). 

“Rockstar” is a more melodic rap performance, adding pop and R&B sensibilities.  No worries, as 🎛 SethInTheKitchen ensures the production is anchored by trunk rattling drums.  Even with a sense of melody under his belt, DaBaby isn’t soft – he’s riskier and more reckless if possible, as the aforementioned chorus confirms. Ultimately, “Rockstar” is a crowd pleaser that’s an undeniable gem any way you look at it and definitely ranks among the best songs of 2020.

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11. Post Malone, “Rockstar”

Ft. 21 Savage

💿 beerbongs & bentleys • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2018

So, before DaBaby and Roddy Ricch delivered their own, totally different “Rockstar”, 🏆 Grammy nominated rapper/singer 🎙 Post Malone, assisted by 🏆 Grammy winning rapper 🎙 21 Savage, did the same.  Honestly, folks have been singing about being or embodying a rock star for years, so, undoubtedly, this concept is going nowhere any time soon. “Rockstar”, is the crowd-pleasing centerpiece of Post’s sophomore album, 💿 beerbongs & bentleys, and has plenty of pros.

Among the pros is the production (🎛 Louis Bell and 🎛 Tank God), sporting moody vibes from the onset.  Post continues performing in his signature pop-rap style with agile rhymes, exhibiting a respectable flow and that distinct, oft-mentioned vibrato. 21 Savage provides a nice contrast to Post’s more exuberant, emotional style. What does that mean exactly? Oh, that deadpan, low energy, yet ‘still manages to bite hard’ approach.  Of course, the centerpiece of the centerpiece of beerbongs & bentleys is the chorus.

12. CeeLo, “CeeLo Green Sings the Blues”

💿 Heart Blanche • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2015

“Hello, my name Is CeeLo Green, and I’ve got the blues / Cause don’t nobody love me no more / Maybe just a little bit more than you did yesterday / But not like you loved my before…” 🎵 “CeeLo Green Sings the Blues” marks the most moving performance from 💿 Heart Blanche, the 2015 album by 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B singer, CeeLo Green.  Why is “CeeLo Green Sings the Blue” so accomplished? Well, it’s because it is something of an apology from Green, who has made his share of mistakes, namely being embroiled in controversy with ‘highly irresponsible’ rape tweets.  Keeping it 💯, that shit will cancel you damn quick!!!

Green is incredibly talented, but talent alone doesn’t atone for mistakes, period. “CeeLo Green Sings the Blues” proved not to be near enough to revive the idiosyncratic musician to his full glory.  A line like “My heart is filled with unconditional love / How could anyone hate me?” doesn’t necessarily play out favorably in everyone’s eyes because it seems, um, defensive. Still, from a critical standpoint, the record, to some extent, shows his willingness to attempt to redeem himself, as well as remind us of his remarkable musicianship.  That vocal grit – awesomeness exemplified!

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13. Alicia Keys, “The Gospel”

💿 Here • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2016 

On her sixth studio album, 💿 Here, 🏆 Grammy winning R&B singer/songwriter 🎙 Alicia Keys aims at bigger ideas, specifically socially.  At times, it works well, while at others, it falls a wee bit short.  One such moment on Here where she nails her loft ambitions and aspirations is the first full-length song, “The Gospel,” produced by herself, husband 🎛 Swizz Beatz, and the awesome 🎛 Mark Batson.

That said, prior to ‘the gospel,’ well, there was the beginning.  Literally, I mean “The Beginning (Interlude),” which sets the tone channeling the socially conscious, poetic vibe.  From there, we get the thoughtful “The Gospel,” with its blend of R&B, hip-hop, and singer/songwriter. Of course, most importantly, Keys illustrates a picture, including families from the ghetto:

“So, we all got children, products of the ghetto
Momma cooked the soup, daddy did the yelling
Uncle was a drunk, cousin was a felon
When he got pitched, he told them he wasn’t tellin’.”

No, perhaps Keys’ ‘gospel’ isn’t the exact same brand (or style, ha) as everyone else’s, but if you listen to the story that she tells, you’ll likely be able to relate to something.  Can I get an amen? How about a hallelujah?

14. Nipsey Hussle, “Rap N***as”

💿 Victory Lap • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2018

“Look, I ain’t nothin’ like you fuckin’ rap niggas / Hussle Man a shooter, that’s a fact, nigga / Thirty-two extendos in my MAC, nigga / Spend a thousand on some t-shirts up at Saks, nigga.” RIP 🎙 Nipsey Hussle, one of so many rappers gone too soon.  Though just 33 when he was shot and killed, Nipsey had already secured his legacy.  He would go on to win 🏆 two posthumous Grammys for 🎵 “Racks in the Middle” and 🎵 “Higher” respectively. That doesn’t bring him back mind you, but knowing the good things he was doing, as well as leaving behind some awesome music, that must be comforting to some extent.  He earns a spot on this list for one of my favorite bangers from his sole studio album (💿 Victory Lap, 2018), 🎵 “Rap Niggas.” 

Yes, the title “Rap Niggas” isn’t family friendly, and neither is the song, but, Nipsey Hussle is truly locked-in here.  He’s backed by badass production by 🎛 DJ Khalil and 🎛 Rance. The sound is very much idiomatic of the West Coast sound, giving Nipsey perfect fuel for his fire. He probably didn’t need it, as his aggressive, unapologetic rhymes speak for themselves.  Yes, he utters the n-word too much, but at least he’s true to the music genre and title, right?

“Can’t no motherfucker tell me shit, nigga
We the No Limit of the West, nigga
Percy Miller at his best, nigga
Jigga with the Rollie and the vest, nigga.”

15. Walk the Moon, “Shut Up and Dance”

💿 TALKING IS HARD • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2014

“Oh, don’t you dare look back / Just keep your eyes on me / I said, ‘You’re holding back’ / She said, ‘Shut up and dance with me’.” Yeah, that chorus was one of the most memorable of 2014, hands down.  Ohio alternative collective 🎙 Walk the Moon earned a breakout pop hit with their hella infectious single, 🎵 “Shut Up and Dance.”  Take one listen to the song and it’s easy to understand why it totally blew up.

“Shut Up and Dance” is bright and energetic, set in a major key, and simply makes you feel good while listening.  🎙 Nicholas Petricca is on fire vocally, infusing his personality perfectly.  What more can you say? “Oooooh, shut up and dance with me!”

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