Read about Black Pumas’ mad ride to the Grammy’s in Vol. 7 of our magazine available HERE.
Black Pumas were nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ at The Grammy Awards in 2020. They didn’t win, unfortunately, because they were up against Billie fucking Eilish for Christ’s sake. Anyway, we really like them, and we spoke to them in Vol. 7. We also got them to curate a playlist just for you, because we’re nice like that. So, here it is, with comments and everything.
Billy Swan – ‘Don’t Be Cruel’
I’m a sucker for covers, and a sucker for versions of songs that seem like they were cut on xanax and way too slow – this is so vibey and checks all the boxes of what I listen to on tour.
Serge Gainsbourg – ‘Requiem Pour Un Con’
This song is perfect in every way: the drums/bongos combination go so hard and the single-note guitar line has to be one of the greatest guitar parts of all time.
Erykah Badu – ‘The Healer’
I missed this song first time around even though I had this album, but this came on at a barbershop recently and I’ve been hooked since – Madlib + Erykah = winning.
The Rationals – ‘Guitar Army’
As much as we love soul music, you still can’t mess with some good rock and roll.
Marvin Gaye – ‘It’s a Desperate Situation’
A deep-cut Marvin Gaye song that we recently started covering. It’s an instant dance party.
Nas – ‘Adam and Eve’
We’re both longtime fans of Nas, and when this came out it almost felt like they sampled a song of ours and it actually ended up inspiring something on our album.
Stevie Wonder – ‘I was Made to Love her’
Pre ’70s classic period Stevie excellence. Stevie on harmonica for the intro is icing on the cake.
Pete Rock and CL Smooth – ‘They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)’
Quite possibly the best hip-hop song ever.
Magic Sam – ‘Magic Sam’s Boogie’
This song stays on repeat for an hour at a time on some days – best guitar tone ever recorded.
Crazy Horse – ‘Dirty, Dirty’
Love this song and the album it comes from by Crazy Horse (sans Neil Young), Ry Cooder on slide!
Read an interview with Black Pumas, in Vol. 7 of our print magazine HERE. They appear alongside the likes of Soccer Mommy, Tennis, Bands FC and Alfie Templeman.
