Summer is practically upon us, which means at some point in the coming months, every one will have an “I love this song!” moment. You may be riding in a rental car to Fire Island when it comes on the radio, or drenched in sweat in the middle of a dance floor when it pours through the speakers. Lots of sun, drinks and flings will obviously play their part, but this summer’s got some serious contenders just begging to be crowned Song of the Summer.
Of course, the winner depends as much on your taste in bands or divas as where you go out, but there are already a number of hits that just won’t go away. Rihanna’s “Rude Boy” is still blasting from countless cars and clubs, and everyone still turns up the volume when Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” presents itself (the Alphaville rip-off “Young Forever” also has high hopes for summer chart success). With a bevy of summer releases to come, it’s still anyone’s game.
Our own Keo Nozari’s predictions for The Right Track (including the impending mega-hit in Katy Perry’s Snoop collaboration, “California Gurls”) will no doubt be on the money. And though everyone and their blogging mother’s got a Songs of the Summer list, we at Next Magazine pit the songs against each other in an online battle for number one, March Madness style. We’ll post new contenders on The Nexus every week and perhaps pronounce officially dead a few already-mentioned “hits” until only one remains.
In this official kickoff for the battle for Song of the Summer, we’d like to mention a few songs that seem like sleeper hits that only need the right gay DJ to discover them, remix the hell out of them and let it go the great gay length: Here’s hoping American Idol starboy Adam Lambert’s “Whataya Want from Me” (see Fonzerelli remixes) has got some legs. Sleeper indie band Caribou’s “Odessa” transcends time and space for a Euro-disco late-night dance party staple à la Hercules and the Love Affair’s “Blind.” Big Boi’s solo record drops in early July and the April-released “Shutterbug” is just about the funkiest thing on earth at the moment. And that’s not even the tip of the iceberg, especially if the divas have anything to say about it: Estelle, Ke$ha, Kelis, Christina, Robyn, the precious Janelle Monáe and even a new album from pop queen Kylie will give these boys a run for their money. Let the elbow-heavy battle to the top begin!
WILD CARDS
Caribou
“Odessa”
A sleeper hit from left field, this electro-tinged dance hit doesn’t need remixes to make men move, but they won’t hurt either.
Big Boi
“Shutterbug”
The opening bass-y beat is enough to make boys and girls bump and grind uncontrollably.
Kelis
“Acapella”
We may be seeing a rebirth from the hot mom now that she’s collecting $50k+ from Nas. Now she has time to make the absolutely stunning video for this super-hit.
Sleigh Bells
“Tell ‘em”
This free-for-all from the buzz worthy noise rock/rap set is helmed by M.I.A.’s label. You know, the gal who had that late summer anthem “Paper Planes.”
GAY FAVS
Estelle
“Freak”
The UK pop princess pulls from the dubstep mecca of London for a tweaked-out club-friendly banger, which gives her some seriously high-ranking status.
Katy Perry
“California Gurls”
We’re not saying that she’s as un-talented as Miley but the subtle voice effects on this one make it sound like a 2010 “Party in the USA,” which we all secretly love.
Beyoncé
“Why don’t you love me”
Another video that drunk gay boys will no doubt be YouTube-ing late into tipsy summer nights with this ’50s fashion-inspired achievement.
Christina Aguilera
“Not Myself Tonight”
If it’s not this one, there’ll certainly be a few more contenders from her June studio release, Bionic.
Miley Cyrus
“Can’t Be Tamed”
A hilarious natural history museum romp with wings might just be what Miley needs to catapult her into the top of the pops.
Lady Gaga
“Alejandro”
Perhaps the Mexican vibe will feed into the Gaga frenzy this summer. And who doesn’t love to pull out their best Spanish accent once in a while?
Ke$HA
“Love is my drug”
The one-hit wonder who just won’t go away knows how to reel you in. Plus, her party-till-dawn attitude is the perfect soundtrack to summer.
CHART TOPPERS
Rihanna
“Rude Boy”
No need for a great voice to achieve greatness;Rihanna’s got fierce fashion sense, mad marketing skills and a huge team of producers. She’s struck gold with this one!
Adam Lambert
“Whataya Want From Me”
Wouldn’t it be nice for a bona fide gay to come out on top this summer?
Usher Feat. Will.I.AM
“OMG”
The ladies’ man has a handful of hits from his new record that are doing their best to climb to the top but this one, for whatever reason, people seem to love.
Ludacris Feat. Nicki Minaj
“My Chick Bad”
That Nicki Minaj is everywhere. Thank goodness. She’s bad as hell, a new Trina if you will.
B.o.B. Feat. Bruno Mars
“Nothin’ On You”
Exposure counts in some circumstances, and this debut album single is explosively popular. Perplexing, to say the least.
LIVE LINK!
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