“Bad Reputation,” - Joan Jett: One of my favorite Joan Jett songs, as well as one of my favorite punk rock songs. I used to always rock out to this song in my room as a kid. It’s just so infectiously catchy and rebellious. I love the guitar riffs on this track from Joan Jett and Ricky Byrd.
https://youtu.be/LeYn_W14zTU?si=Ou5vDFszbWvwsWa1
“Can’t Be Broken,” - Lil Wayne: I first heard this song when Lil Wayne performed it live on Saturday Night Live, with Halsey singing the chorus. I really wish she sang the hook on the recorded version, but the chorus isn’t bad. I can relate a lot to the chorus, and it’s a very motivational track for when I’m working out. Lil Wayne’s flow is on point and does well with a very minimalist beat.
https://youtu.be/lyXf-4Vwu3I?si=qprVuAugNvdD29ji
“Jesus of Suburbia,” - Green Day: One of my favorite tracks from their iconic 2004 album, American Idiot, it’s a very long track that I covered in more detail in my review of that record, but I love the operatic nature of the track, as well as the different phases it goes through musically, incorporating electric and acoustic guitars, as well as piano. It’s a five part track that is a truly magical experience to listen to. Every rock fan needs to listen to this song at least once in their lives.
https://youtu.be/4z7oi-QxE8s?si=xj3Nks9OIG50tMn5
“I Don’t Like (Remix),” - Kanye West, Chief Keef, Pusha T, Big Sean, and Jadakiss: A case of a remix being better than the original track, I love the additional production from Kanye and Twilite Tone. The vocal chops in Kanye’s verse and that heavy bass really makes every rapper on this track’s verses hit harder than a linebacker. It still carries the same rough nasty energy the original does, but the remixed track feels larger than life.
https://youtu.be/MIh0MMm6TyE?si=heUa_iKrVtoePQiY
“Fragile,” - Tech N9ne featuring Kendrick Lamar, ¡MAYDAY!, and Kendall Morgan: The first Tech N9ne song I had ever heard, I remember I was 13 when I first heard it on the radio. I was blown away by how technically impressive Tech N9ne and Kendrick’s verses were. The melancholy acoustic beat and minimalist drum production provide a nice counterbalance to the aggressive verses from both of the rappers.