{"id":29884,"date":"2021-07-10T17:51:13","date_gmt":"2021-07-10T17:51:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=29884"},"modified":"2021-10-28T17:27:16","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T17:27:16","slug":"new-york-music-playlist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/new-york-music-playlist\/","title":{"rendered":"New York City playlist: The must-listen music by New York greats"},"content":{"rendered":"

As America’s unofficial cultural capital, it\u2019s impossible to cover the full scope of music’s impact on New York City<\/a>. Because really, what is the real sound of New York City? The punk of the \u201980s, the sounds of 2000\u2019s indie rock, the iconic rap of the \u201990s, the pop icons that sprout from the five boroughs like weeds? Perhaps all of it is what gives New York City a breadth and depth of musical talent that is unmatched in the world. But, that’s the beauty of New York-made music. It’s not just one sound for one person. No, no. Here, there’s a sound for everyone.<\/p>\n

Take a look at the 19 must-know New York musicians, plus the ultimate playlist for those looking to discover the rhythm of New York City<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Good Morning \u2013 Bleachers \u2013 2017<\/h2>\n

When he\u2019s not writing Billboard hits for pop princesses like Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Lana Del Rey, New Jersey-born, Brooklyn based Jack Antonoff produces music under Bleachers. Bleachers features the catchy hooks of Antonoff\u2019s previous band fun, mixed with anthemic ’80s pop sensibilities and baroque symphonic layers.<\/p>\n

Dirt Off Your Shoulder \u2013 JAY-Z \u2013 2003<\/h2>\n

One of New York City\u2019s most famous rappers, Brooklyn born and raised JAY-Z solidified New York City\u2019s status as one of hip-hop\u2019s epicenters. “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” was the second single from his acclaimed “Black Album” and made the news when it was referenced by Barack Obama during the 2008 Democratic Presidential Debates.<\/p>\n

Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard \u2013 Paul Simon \u2013 1972<\/h2>\n

Already known as a Greenwich Village icon from his days with Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon rose to further heights with a solo career that showcased the floating vocals and lyrical poetry from his New York City folk days.<\/p>\n

Mo Money Mo Problems \u2013 The Notorious B.I.G \u2013 1997<\/h2>\n

Although he only released two albums before his tragic death at 24, The Notorious B.I.G is consistently referred to as the greatest rapper of all time. “Mo Money Mo Problems” was one of his best works and shows off his unique storytelling abilities as well as easy and unforced lyrical delivery.<\/p>\n

Step \u2013 Vampire Weekend \u2013 2013<\/h2>\n

Vampire Weekend burst onto the indie music scene with their self-titled debut that featured the clever lyricism and erudite messaging that won them Grammys along with a passionate cult following. Their later albums would turn down the pretension and turn up an impressive musicology that led to further critical acclaim.<\/p>\n

Sunday Morning \u2013 The Velvet Underground \u2013 1967<\/h2>\n

When The Velvet Underground first released their debut album “The Velvet Underground & Nico” it sold poorly and was ignored by critics. The album was experimental in view and its lyrics discussed drug abuse, prostitution, and deviancy. However, while it only sold an initial 30,000 copies, it eventually developed a cult following and went on to be remembered as one of the most influential albums of all time. In 2006 it was inducted into the Library of Congress and in 2003, Rolling Stone<\/em> ranked it as the 13th\u00a0Greatest Album of All Time.<\/p>\n

Always On Time \u2013 Ja Rule, Ashanti \u2013 2001<\/h2>\n

One of the most played songs of the 2000s, “Always On Time” featured two New York City R&B icons in Ja Rule and Ashanti. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.<\/p>\n

I Wanna Dance With Somebody \u2013 Whitney Houston \u2013 1987<\/h2>\n

While technically from nearby Newark, New Jersey, Whitney Houston is one of the best-selling musicians of all time and the most awarded female artist ever. Her first two albums “Whitney Houston” and “Whitney” are the two best selling first two albums ever. While the song “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” was originally not well received by critics, it went on to become an enduring dance classic of the ’80s.<\/p>\n

In Da Club \u2013 50 Cent \u2013 2003<\/h2>\n

Anyone in high school or middle school in the early 2000s will instantly recognize the opening horns and percussion of “In Da Club.” The song\u00a0was 50 Cent\u2019s first number one hit and was certified Gold within the year.<\/p>\n

Call Me \u2013 Blondie \u2013 1980<\/h2>\n

Originally created for the 1980 film American Gigolo, “Call Me” was one of new wave band Blondie\u2019s biggest singles and their second number one hit. Blondie would go on to sell over forty million albums around the world and continue to release music well into their fourth decade.<\/p>\n

Poker Face \u2013 Lady Gaga \u2013 2008<\/h2>\n

Before Lady Gaga showed up at the Grammys in a dress made of raw meat, before she won an Oscar, before she performed at the Superbowl, she released “The Fame.” The album took the pop world by storm, injecting independent experimentation into an industry previously dominated by saccharine pop princesses. Lady Gaga would go on to become one of the defining artists of the decade and her musical generation.<\/p>\n

Everyday \u2013 A$AP Rocky, Rod Stewart \u2013 2015<\/h2>\n

One of the most successful rappers of the decade, ASAP Rocky released three albums to critical acclaim and commercial success. “Everyday” features vocals from Rod Stewart and was listed by Rolling Stone as one of the best songs of 2015.<\/p>\n

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill \u2013 Ms. Lauryn Hill \u2013 1998<\/h2>\n

At times controversial and always mysterious, few artists are as enigmatic as Lauryn Hill. Releasing her first and only studio album to universal critical acclaim, Hill found commercial success as a hip-hop and neo-soul star. However, after controversial audience interactions and dissatisfaction with the music industry, Hill dropped out and would only release one more album, an MTV Unplugged session that was widely panned. She would release little music in the years after that and would find herself in legal trouble, eventually serving a three-month tax evasion sentence in 2013.<\/p>\n

But her only album continues to fascinate listeners. “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” won 10 Grammy nominations and propelled Hill to instant international stardom. In 2015 the album was inducted into the Library of Congress.<\/p>\n

N.Y State of Mind \u2013 Nas \u2013 1994<\/h2>\n

With its searing imagery of real life, “N.Y State of Mind” quickly separated Nas from his peers. The song is often mentioned as one of the greatest rap songs of all time and is one of the few songs featured in the Norton Anthology of African American literature.<\/p>\n

Someday \u2013 The Strokes \u2013 2001<\/h2>\n

One of the most popular acts of the garage band revival, The Strokes are one of the most critically acclaimed bands of the 21st\u00a0century. Their debut album “This Is It” was listed by many publications as one of the best albums of the decade, as well as one of the best debut albums ever.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s Always a Woman \u2013 Billy Joel \u2013 1977<\/h2>\n

One of the Big Apple\u2019s rock icons, Billy Joel has sold over 150 million records worldwide. His songs feature all the highs, and lows, of life and stardom in the city. Few musicians are as tied to their city as Billy Joel is to New York.<\/p>\n

No One \u2013 Alicia Keys \u2013 2007<\/h2>\n

Classically trained and blessed with a gospel belting voice, Alicia Keys was one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed musicians in the 2000s. Her album “As I Am” earned her three Grammy nominations in 2007 as well as the single “No One” that ended up as number one on the Billboard Hot 100.<\/p>\n

Keys is also an acclaimed acoustic performer and has the unique distinction of being the first woman to have an MTV Unplugged album debut as number one.<\/p>\n

The greatest \u2013 Lana Del Rey \u2013 2019<\/h2>\n

Although her music may conjure up cinematic images of LA, Lana Del Rey originally hails from NYC. As the decades\u2019 original melancholy sad-girl pop star, Lana Del Rey would go on to influence an entire generation of female pop artists from Halsey to Lorde. Her 2019 album “Norman F****** Rockwell” \u00a0collect Grammy nominations, including one for Album of the Year.<\/p>\n

Joan Baez \u2013 Don\u2019t Think Twice, It\u2019s All Right \u2013 1970<\/h2>\n

Starting in the folk clubs of 1960s Greenwich Village, Joan Baez would go on to become one of the leading figures of the counter-culture movements of the \u201960s and \u201970s. Equally comfortable as a musician and political activist, Baez has released over thirty albums and performed publicly for over sixty years.<\/p>\n

“Don\u2019t Think Twice, It\u2019s All Right” is a cover of an original Bob Dylan song, an artist she helped popularize with her many covers of his work.<\/p>\n

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