Kick Off Black Music Month (And Gemini Season) With This Playlist
Artists featured include The Game, Rae Sremmurd, Commodores, and more.
UMe has unveiled a brand new playlist in tribute to artists born during the Gemini season (about May 21 to June 21). The collection is also celebrating Black Music Month, which runs throughout June.
The playlist features artists from all eras like Sage the Gemini, The Game, Jadakiss, Juice WRLD, Lenny Kravitz, Faith Evans, Gladys Knight & The Pips, and more.
The playlist also features the classic Commodores hit “Zoom,” which was included on their 1977 self-titled album. The group, led by Lionel Richie, were already an established name when their 1977 record hit shelves. Commodores, produced as usual by the band with regular confidant James Anthony Carmichael, displayed just the same flexibility. Its signature hits alone showed off their ability to mix it up. Richie’s killer ballad, R&B No.1 and pop Top 5 hit “Easy” contrasted with the ultra-funky “Brick House.” That also made the Top 5 in both genres. While those two are rightfully celebrated, “Zoom” is also a fan favorite.
Also featured on the playlist is Heavy D and The Boyz’s 1994 hit, “Got Me Waiting.” The track is featured on their fifth and final studio album, Nuttin’ But Love. Nuttin’ But Love proved to be the group’s most successful release, reaching No.11 on the Billboard 200, No.1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart (for one week), and was certified 2× Platinum.
The Game’s 2005 smash “Dreams” from The Documentary has also made its way onto the playlist. The record was released by Aftermath Entertainment, G-Unit Records, and Interscope Records. The record served as The Game’s major-label debut, preceded by his independently released debut Untold Story in 2004. The hit project includes production from high-profile producers such as Dr. Dre, Scott Storch, and Timbaland.
Also included on the playlist is Rae Sremmurd’s 2016 viral smash “Black Beatles.” Described as a “hood N’Sync” by producer Michael “Mike WILL Made-It” Williams for their pop-friendly energy, the brothers behind Rae Sremmurd – Aaquil “Slim Jxmmi” Brown and Khalif “Swae Lee” Brown – carved out their own lane in hip-hop with their single, which felt like it was played everywhere upon its release.
Also featured in the mix is Dave East’s 2020 hit “Handsome” from Karma 3. The project is the fifteenth mixtape by the MC. Production was handled by several record producers, including AraabMuzik, Mike & Keys, DJ Paul, Dougie On The Beat, G Koop, Jake One, MP808, OGTha3, and Sap.
