For the vast majority of the globe's population, temperatures are rising, and the heat of summer is just around the corner. With that comes an immediate uptick in bug spray, grilling, and of course, spending time cooling off by the water.
Having the right music to meet the moment is essential, and auxing a day at the pool is no exception. If you want to enhance the summer vibe, you've got to be deliberate with what you play. A song that works on a late-night drive likely won't hit the same when you're soaking up rays on a sunny July afternoon.
This list should be a huge help in building your ideal pool playlist this summer, especially if you'll be amongst rap fans. Frankly, you'll probably still be good even if you won't be. These tracks are absolute bangers, and that's especially the case within a fun, summery environment like the pool.
These trap rap songs are perfect for auxing poolside
1. "Psycho" by Post Malone
"Psycho" sounds like it was made for sprawling out in the heat and enjoying yourself. Coming off of Post Malone's 2017 album beerbongs & bentleys, this track is relaxed but extremely catchy with Post's hook. A chill Ty Dolla $ign proves to be a tailor-made feature for the second half, too.
2. "Lemonade" by Internet Money
Picking up the energy a bit, we have 2020's "Lemonade," whose very title nods at a popular drink for this season. Officially put out by the Internet Money record label, everything about this song is smooth. We have Gunna and NAV on the verses, in addition to a great Don Toliver hook. The tropical guitar in the instrumental complements them perfectly.
3. "1 Hell of a Life" by Young Dolph & Key Glock
This is another song with prominent guitar in the instrumental, but without the tropical smoothness of "Lemonade." The guitar loop on "1 Hell of a Life" just sounds HOT. Add in confident raps from both Dolph and Glock, and you've got a summer anthem. This is a major highlight from their 2019 collab album Dum and Dummer.
4. "It's A Vibe" by 2 Chainz
The biggest single from Pretty Girls Like Trap Music in 2017, "It's A Vibe," definitely lives up to its name. The hook from 2 Chainz is quite simple, but it's no doubt an earworm. The beat snaps between upbeat and laid-back. Ty Dolla $ign and Jhené Aiko both fit in while standing out when they appear. This one's a no-brainer.
5. "Chanel (Go Get It)" by Young Thug
This track is an artifact from a time when Young Thug, Lil Baby, and Gunna were all on good terms and collaborating on a regular basis. Their creative potential is evident on this one, with Thug's lively chorus shining especially bright. But what really makes this one fit a pool setting is the watery keys laced throughout this instrumental.
6. "Feel A Way" by 2 Chainz
"Feel A Way" is another 2 Chainz track, and he really shows off his trademark humor on this bright, synthetic beat. This song has a palpable sense of fun. In addition, Brent Faiyaz balances things out by floating on the hook, and Kanye West gives an energetic verse from the period just before he went off the deep end.
7. "BUTTERFLY EFFECT" by Travis Scott
The lead single to Travis Scott's massive album ASTROWORLD, "BUTTERFLY EFFECT," hits while setting a sunny, enjoyable vibe. There aren't many beats that are simultaneously this punchy and wavy. It's easy to envision splashing friends or unleashing a mean cannonball with this in the background.
8. "RUSSIAN ROULETT3" by Mike-WiLL Made-It
"RUSSIAN ROULETT3" is basically another Young Thug song, but it came out on Mike-WiLL Made-It's R3SET album from earlier this year. The production is super bouncy and adds some terrific keys on Thugger's hook. Young Thug has no shortage of great summer songs, but this one has got to be towards the top.
9. "Everyday We Lit" by YFN Lucci
Certainly, YFN Lucci's 2016 hit has been the soundtrack to countless good times during the year's hottest months. It carries an infectious energy that works supremely well when paired with having fun at the pool. It's hard to come across as more triumphant and celebratory than YFN Lucci and PnB Rock on this one.
10. "Picasso" by Migos
This song, which also employs Atlanta rap titan Future for the hook, expertly walks the line between leisure and excitement. The fluttering flute loop in particular really stands out. Each member of Migos takes their turn to contribute with a verse, and it all comes together for a track that makes too much sense poolside.
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