I don’t know if I’m just a strange breed, but I’ve always had this infatuation with what my favorite artists are listening to at the moment. Knowing what tracks musicians themselves are actually fans of is always intriguing to me. I remember getting weirdly fired up when Rolling Stone or other publications would run articles showcasing some big time artist’s favorite records. Everybody eats that shit up right? Maybe? Okay cool. We got Spree Wilson, Sol and Brenton Duvall’s best tracks of 2011 earlier — now it’s on to the next.
Enter Detroit’s own Rai Knight. Her anthem “New New” is still as undeniable to me today as it was when I first heard it back in 2010, there’s no question. When an artist comes along and creates a song as infectious as that (and “Moonstruck”, for those not keeping up)– I want to know what they’re listening to on the side. Rai kindly obliged to the idea, and the results are after the jump.
In other news, Kirko Bangz is currently my new favorite stage name, hands down.
1. Spree Wilson – Sharpshooter
“This fucking track, man… every time I turn it on I’m busting into a full on booty dance. “Baby, baby girl your love is like a 45…” that is like the sexiest sentence I have ever heard. Swoon.”
2. Wildlife Control – Analog or Digital
“These guys are brothers. The siblings-making-music thing always intrigues me. Sibling acts are good at eliminating the bullshit right from the get go, so what you get is just an amazing piece of material. This song happens to be my personal soundtrack and I’m happy to say Wildlife Control is quickly becoming a classic.”
3. Kirko Bangz – Drink In My Cup
“Did he choose that name because he really likes Kurt Cobain? Will I ever know? At any rate, I listen to WJLB every day during various commutes and this song comes on, like a million times. So you could say I was brainwashed into liking it, or you could say that the melody in the hook is fucking killer and I haven’t gotten tired of singing along. So much so, it now rotates just as much in my own playlist.”
4. Ohbijou – Mossy Lungs
“Not only is this the perfect song to the soundtrack of every Murakami book, but it also makes me feel something that I can’t even begin to explain– so I won’t. It’s poetry in motion, listen to it, it’s fucking amazing.”
5. M.I.A. – Bad Girls
“I don’t think I really need to describe why this track is great. If you’re a chic and it doesn’t make you feel like the hottest shit in the room, then I can’t help you. If you’re a dude and it doesn’t give you a hard on, then walk away man… just walk away.”
