Now Streaming: Apple Music Hip-Hop/R&B Throwback Playlist

We made it: October 2020. Time to kick back and throw it back to an era when living was easy, the music was smooth, and worries were few. When Ashanti climbed to the top of the charts and party playlists around the world by sampling DeBarge for the instantly classic single, “Unfoolish.” When turning up Mark Morrison’s “Return of the Mack” was the perfect soundtrack for getting ready to go out on a Saturday night. When Fat Joe, Ashanti and Ja Rule got together to remind the world about “What’s Luv?” 

If one thing unifies this wide range of hip-hop and R&B tracks, it’s that they still crackle with a palpable energy all these years later. A snapshot in time when the sounds of the street stormed the mainstream to define modern pop music, each of these songs will transport listeners to a very specific time and memorable place. 

It’s a multidimensional journey, with tunes like Notorious BIG’s “Hypnotize” invoking memories of summer 1997 for millions of music listeners. The song simultaneously reminds millions more of summer 1979, thanks to a chunky sample of Herb Alpert’s hit instrumental from that year, “Rise.” 

All of this is and more is found on the Hip-Hop/R&B Throwback playlist. Sean Paul, Destiny’s Child, Beanie Man, Donnell Jones, Kelis, Toni Braxton, Busta Rhymes, Blackstreet--it’s a slow roll back into the endless summer of good vibes and better music. We’ll all get back to the future soon enough.