11 Songs to Work Out to This Summer

Time to get that body right! (And no, this gif in No way is intended to promote Toy Story 4)

I had no idea what a "Summer Body" was, so naturally, I consulted Urban Dictionary.

Urban Dictionary defines a "Summer Body" as the following:

the f--ked up thing that society created and expect everybody to have each summer and if they don't, well then your suddenly are "fat, chubby, obese". tired of this sh-t and these high expectations. F--K SOCIETY AND EAT LOADS OF CHOCOLATE. And if people ask you why you eat chocolate when you are supposed to get the "summer body", eat them as well.

Now, I'm sure this isn't the most...objective definition of a summer body, but everyone wants to look their best, right?

And the best way to do that is through the old tried and true method of diet + exercise.

However, I am NOT a dietician, but I do know someone who is studying to become one, but unfortunately they don't believe in social media like the amish don't believe in conforming to modern society (good for them tbh).

I am NOT an expert in exercise either, but I participate in it anyway and these are some songs that I feel can help give you that extra boost to reach a new personal best in a set. Or even just motivate you to work out in general.

These are 11 songs that I found to be the most effective (in my own personal workout playlist) in getting my @$$ moving especially when I'm tired but I want to keep going. It's amazing what a simple beat switch, 808 drum, hi-hat, snare, etc. can do when you feel like you just want to give up.

Anyway, here's the first song...

(Keep in mind these are in NO particular order)

1. Meek Mill - Dreams and Nightmares

"Hold Up, Wait a Minute! Y'all thought I was finished!?" should be inscribed in a monument somewhere.

During the 2018 superbowl the Philadelphia Eagles football team came out on to the superbowl field to this song. That team ended up winning Superbowl 52, 41-33 over the ever dominant New England Patriots. The Philadelphia Eagles, a team that, on paper, wasn't suppose to win, ended up winning the most coveted game in football against a team where another superbowl win is like a walk in the park on a nice, sunny day.

The Eagles came out to Meek Mill's "Dreams and Nightmares Intro" before tonight's #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/0CTsB9uhUv

— Karen Civil (@KarenCivil) February 4, 2018

This song represents every underdog story in the world. Everyone who has ever, I mean ever been doubted or overcame seemingly insurmountable odds will relate. 

The song, like its title implies, is split into two parts, the soft, heavenly "Dreams" part shows Meek reflecting on his life prior to his riches.

"I used to pray for times like this to rhyme like this"

This mirrors the workout process...a slow buildup for the next part.

At approximately 1 minute, 36 seconds into the song, the "Dreams" part suddenly evaporates and turns into "Nightmares". A hard pulsating bass line comes in with a choir harmonizing in the background giving it a sonically epic feel, like a movie's climax is approaching.

Shoutout to "The Beat Bully" for producing this iconic song btw.

Meek Mill expertly mirrors the beat switch by raising his voice in his now signature yell-rapping style.

I don't know how else to put this, so I'll just be blunt. This song will get your butt moving, no, if, ands or...

The moment you hear "HOLD UP WAIT A MINUTE" you should already know warm-ups are over and the real workout is now beginning. This song is sonic fire and I can see why the Eagles, every true Philadelphian party, and just people in general love this song.

This song has that intangible X factor where all the pieces line up to create the right amount of hype.

A fantastic song to start off any workout with, put it on your workout playlist now, if you haven't already. This is probably the best recommendation on this list if I'm keeping it one hundred with you.

Listen to "Dreams and Nightmares" by Meek Mill down below:

2. Lil Wayne - John (feat. Rick Ross)                                                                                                    

"I'm not a star...somebody lied"

When I think of those early 2000's dirty down south beats. "John" by Lil Wayne immediately comes to mind for me.

Those 30+ seconds of just hype instrumental before Wayne comes in rapping is simply pure energy. Point blank.

Where ever you are in your workout, there should automatically be a boost of energy because the beat goes that hard.

As for the lyrics, they are about as shallow as they come, however, during a workout it's more matter over mind, so in the context of working out, "John" works because Wayne (and Rick Ross's) energy is so infectious you won't even care what they are saying.

Also Rick Ross sitting in a wheelchair with custom spinning rims with a jumpsuit on is an underrated moment in Hip Hop history.

ICONIC.

There's not much else to say except add this to your workout playlist and check out the music video to "John" by Lil Wayne featuring Rick Ross down below:

3. Nipsey Hussle - Rap N-ggas

He truly, honestly, was nothing like these rap n*ggas...Long Live Nip

New York legend Jadakiss said it best on the song "We gonna make it"  with fellow legend Styles P. He said "You know dead rappers get better promotion" and not a truer word was spoken. 

It's messed up that he had to die to get this much attention on him, but it is what it is at this point. I already made my peace with my last post on Nip so I won't be getting in my feelings too much on this post.

Anyway, let's focus on "RAP N*GGAS", the 2nd track off the "Victory Lap" album is what they call a "banger"!

***Warning***

If you hate the N word or any egregious overuse of that word, especially in rap songs...skip this song and go to #4... they gone? Ok. Good, now, onward as to why this song goes hard during any sort of exercise.

Let's start off with the instrumental, the instrumental is as west coast as it gets (and we can thank Puff Daddy for that instrumental tweak that gave "Rap N*ggas" the edge it now has, thanks Puff).

I can really see this song pairing well with weightlifting especially, the beat is slow but steady and powerful. Also, the verses Nipsey spits are delivered in a non-rushed manner.

Each line is spaced out to give emphasis to the simple, yet impactful lyrical content. Which is great for getting people to actually pay attention to what exactly it is that you are saying.

Also, the instrumental swells and is at its best when the chorus hits and is actually where the song seems to give off the most energy. 

A great song for keeping steady and moving along in your workout (which, surely you are sweating buckets by now) because Nipsey and his production on "Rap N*ggas" keep the energy moving along at a consistently high pace. Which is perfect for any workout really, not just weightlifting.

Check out "Rap N*ggas" by Nipsey Hussle down below and more importantly add it to your work out playlist:

4. Eminem - 'Till I Collapse (feat. Nate Dogg)

"Til I collapse I'm spillin' these raps long as you feel 'em!"

Eminem actually has a few decent workout songs, but "'Till I Collapse" with Nate Dogg is still (in my opinion) the crème de la crème of hip hop work out songs...

First, let's start with the mini motivational speech Eminem gives in the very beginning of the song. This Detroit superstar turned rap Tony Robbins moment is actually genius because the speech is genuinely motivational.

"'Cause sometimes you just feel tired, feel weak

And when you feel weak 

You feel like you wanna just give up 

But you gotta search within you 

Try to find that inner strength

And just pull that sh-t out of you 

And get that motivation to not give up

And not be a quitter, no matter how bad you wanna just fall

Flat on your face and collapse"

I know it sounds like generic self-help dribble when read in-text but during the middle of your work out when the little voice in your head says "Aren't you tired yet?" this speech will come just in the nick of time to keep you going toward your goal.

The way the song's instrumental slowly gets louder and louder as Eminem says his little speech in the beginning is one of the many little moments in the song that I think puts this song as the very best Eminem song to add to your own workout playlist.

Eminem's delivery on the song itself is also a big reason as to why this song goes as hard as it does. He's definitely got that "Drill Sargent from Full Metal Jacket" yell in his tone. 

A gif from the movie "Full Metal Jacket" with the drill sergeant I was referencing.

Then you have one of Nate Dogg's legendary hooks (RIP)...man, the way Nate Dogg would just find the pocket on beats is something you can't teach. The way he says "Till my leg give out...can't shut my mouth" among other things is amazing and will keep you going during those especially intense workout moments.

Even the outro is inspirational...

Until the roof (until the roof)

The roof comes off (the roof comes off)

Until my legs (until my legs)

Give out from (underneath me)

I will not fall, I will stand tall

Feels like no one can beat me

I feel like I'm raving about this song a little too much, but go add this song to your work out playlist immediately, if I had to rank these songs, this would definitely be top 3. You have prime era Eminem circa 2002, a Nate Dogg hook, a boisterous beat...what's not to love?

Check out "'Till I Collapse" by Eminem featuring Nate Dogg down below:

5. Beyoncé - Run The World (Girls) 

"Girls! We Run This Mutha (Yeah)" 

Not for nothing, but Beyoncé's catalog is TOUGH. Much like Eminem, you could probably build a whole workout playlist consisting of Beyoncé songs alone.

But today's focus is on one song by Mrs. Knowles-Carter called "Run The World (Girls)" which, if you couldn't tell by the title of the song, is a Woman empowerment anthem that will get you equal parts energized and appreciative of the fairer sex. 

This song is for anyone really, but I can really envision an all girls zumba type class going HARD to this song. 

As soon as this song starts, from 0:02 seconds, you are on go, no matter which part of the work out you are currently on, it will put a little pep in whatever it is that you are doing.

I wanted to have something a little more woman-centric on this list as I do know everyone likes to look their best, men, women and everything in between. 

I also have a soft spot in my heart for any and everything dancehall influenced because of my cultural heritage and roots tracing back to Belize. the only English speaking Caribbean country in central America where genres like Dancehall are commonplace in the music.

Anyway, Beyoncé is great and "Run The World (Girls)" is great for a woman empowerment seminar...or for just a quick song to run to in the gym (get it? Run...cause run the wo- nevermind)

Listen to "Run The World (Girls)" by Beyoncé down below:

6. Kendrick Lamar - DNA.

"Money and Power the mecca of Marriages"

I first wrote about "DNA." by Kendrick Lamar during my DAMN. review when the album first came out and I still feel every bit as passionate about that song then, as I do now.

I even argued that "DNA." is a better uplifting, hype song than Kendrick's "Alright" on a podcast that is now defunct because me and the other person I did the podcast with only recorded 1 episode.

But yeah, "DNA." is perfect for the gym, in fact, made for the gym, bottom line.

The first half starts out motivating enough but once the song's instrumental stops and the Geraldo Rivera voice snippet starts playing and that "5...4...3...2" countdown starts and the beat drops...expect to do the following:

• Do that one last rep on the weight-lift bench that will give you a new personal best.
• Get through that last mile in that 20 mile run you've been slogging through.
• Do that one last anything...."DNA." will be the soundtrack to your one last burst of energy to anything.

This is for the simple fact that the beat switch itself is one great big energizer because Kendrick gets even MORE aggressive than he already was on the first half of the song, and on top of that Kendrick raps like a rapid fire machine gun throughout a bombastic beat that is as hard as the purest diamond in the world.

I could go on about "DNA." by Kendrick Lamar forever, so I'll just leave you with tihs...."DNA." is my most replayed song on my own personal iTunes by a pretty large margin.

As of me writing this (on 6/27/19) I have 377 plays of DNA. on my iTunes...my second most replayed song is only at 297...nuff said.

Anyway, check out "DNA." by Kendrick Lamar down below:

7. ScHoolboy Q - Numb Numb Juice

"2 Door Coupe!"

Even though the album "CrasH Talk" by ScHoolboy Q left me wanting more...I always tend to walk away with at least a few songs to add to my rotation.

In this case, "Numb Numb Juice" was one of those songs I saved after slam dunking "CrasH Talk" into my computer's recycle bin.

At this point in your workout you're probably in-between sets or taking a little hydration break before tackling the next part of the workout. Use "Numb Numb Juice" by ScHoolboy Q as the soundtrack to your fitness interlude.

The reason being, is because the song is only 1 minute and 47 seconds long, a very short song. And since the song is so short, I figured it can be used to time yourself for a mini-break before you finish off the workout with these last few songs 

(Btw, good for YOU for working out this long with no breaks up until this point.)

As for the song itself...typical banger...although the use of acapella vocals momentarily before the instrumental kicks in was genius but yeah...just your typical hard-as-vibranium-nails rap song, nothing more or less...it's just shorter than your average rap song is all.

Check out the music video for "Numb Numb Juice" by ScHoolboy Q down below and add it to your workout playlist!

8. Ace Hood - Hustle Hard

"Times are getting hard, guess what I'mma do?"

In the same vein of Lil Wayne's "John", "Hustle Hard" by Ace Hood was also recorded in 2011, a time where a certain "Dirty South" sound was prevalent in Hip Hop. 

Anyway, I have to keep it 100 with my audience (or whoever reads this god forsaken blog, even if it's just me) the reason I made Ace Hood's "Hustle Hard" the 8th pick in my workout playlist is because of the subject matter of "Hustle".

See, through extensive research, I've come to the conclusion that the number 8 represents "Money, Power & Karma" (Thanks GG33!) and so, what better represents that than "Hustle Hard"?

I've never cared for Ace Hood, and to be honest, I probably never will, however, due to the fact that this is the only energetic rap song I know of that repeats "hustle" a bunch of times (excluding Rick Ross's "Hustle") I knew it would be the perfect fit for this list.

8 = Money, Power, Karma

A good way to harness money, power and karma is through hustling. One of the ways you can hustle is in the gym. Ace Hood, and his one memorable song that I know of, is here to make sure you hustle HARD throughout your workout.

Check out "Hustle Hard" by Ace Hood and add it to your workout playlist today!

9. Kanye West - All of the Lights

"Her mother, brother, grandmother hate me in that order"

I remember hearing "All of the Lights" during some type of American football commercial.

(Upon further research, Kanye West and Rihanna performed the song at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game, while it was also featured in the promo for the same event. In 2016, the song was used in a Gatorade commercial starring Serena Williams.)

 I also remember going crazy to this track when I was about 13 or 14 years old around the time this song came out.

The main thing about this song that keeps you pumped up is the drums. I don't know what exact type of drums they used in this song, but they are the main thing.

When Rihanna's vocals hit (Turn up the lights in here baby) and the drums hit and then Kanye goes in on his 2 fire verses that delivered in the Nipsey Hussle style of one line said at a time.

The whole song is a recipe for producing activity in the human body. I see why gatorade and other sports related organizations utilized this song for promotion. It just has the marching-band-performing-at-the-homecoming-high-school-game feel. 

And with adding "All of the Lights" to your workout playlist, you too, can feel like the elite athlete you might (or might not) be.

Check out the music video to "All of the Lights" by Kanye West down below:

10. Brockhampton - New Orleans

"I been down too long, cousin
I been down too long, brother
Tell the world, I ain't scared of nothing
Tell the world, I ain't scared of jumping"

One time I did this writing exercise where the rules were: you had to write continuously (about anything) for 25 minutes straight and you can have one song playing repeatedly in the background...but only one.

I chose this song, "New Orleans" by BROCKHAMPTON off their latest studio album "iridescence".

My reasoning behind why I chose that song to do that 25 minute writing exercise is because of the constant, electronic-influenced, pulsating beat.

The song feels like one repetitive motion (not to say or imply that the song itself is repetitive in a bad way) but when I was physically working out to this song, I was able to sync my push-ups to the beat and the chorus that Kevin repeats throughout the song of

"Tell the world, I ain't scared of nothing. Tell the world, I ain't scared of jumping" sounds way more inspirational in the middle of a workout than just casually listening for pleasure.

I will say, the best part is near the end of the song where the bass builds up and creates some tension before Jaden Smith's voice comes out of nowhere to sing Kevin Abstract's chorus and when the tension releases when Smith's verse is done is...for lack of a better word...HYPE.

Then of course, Merlyn Wood's voice (and verse) should motivate you to workout all the way to the end of the song (as he is the last verse after all the members spit their own respective verses).

So yeah, add this electronic, trip-hop type song to your workout playlist and check out the music video down below:

And last but certainly not least...something different...

11. Devin Martin - Killbot

Shoutout to the call of duty montage that put me on to this song 🤣

Songs like this is one of the many reasons I am so glad I named this blog "Hip Hop & Other Things" and not just "Hip Hop 24/7" or some dumb, new-york-hip-hop-publication-in-the-90s brand name.

Anyway, Killbot by Devin Martin is a techno/electronic/dubstep type song that I discovered during my (what I like to call) "Call of Duty days" where I was super into videogames like Call of Duty and it was during the height of my video gaming days (I still play occasionally but no where near as much as I used to).

I used to be so into Call of Duty that I used to look up montage or highlight reels from the Call of Duty games that other players would post on youtube. 

One particular montage used this song and for some reason, it popped in my head earlier this year and I could not for the life of me find it (it's purely instrumental, no lyrics to google unfortunately).

Eventually I found this song and after some careful consideration, I thought to include an EDM type song because EDM does get one's body moving, plus, it's probably the one song of the EDM variety that genuinely gets me animated.

As for the structure of the song, it's your typical build up and drop type EDM song. And that drop...oh boy does that drop go bonkers.

Use this song as your final hurrah in your workout. Go as hard as you possibly can (without injuring yourself) with this chaotically catchy dubstep song and once the song's over, you're over...now go towel off, sweaty.

Check out "Killbot" by Devin Martin down below and be SURE to add this song to your workout playlist!

at the end of the day:

The biggest thing you should take away from these workout songs is that all of them have a purpose to get you moving...point blank period. IF you hate all of the songs on these list (after giving them a fair chance) then please, comment or email songs to me that you personally workout to or songs that get you up and moving.

Music is a very powerful thing, and your workout can actually be enhanced by listening to music whilst getting in shape. 

I didn't really start working out until earlier this year (my new years resolution for 2019) so this list is from a beginner's perspective when it comes to working out.

But, I do have a lot of experience listening to music, I can spot a good song (just like anybody else) so with that being said, I have a spotify playlist down below with all the songs. I thank you for reading and I'll see you (whoever is reading this blog) in the next post (could be next month...could be next YEAR 🤣)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

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Anyway, see ya!

- Written by Joseph Sanker II on 7/1/2019