FYI, everyone — this is why there is no definitive summer jam. You can quote me on this.Yes, suddenly it all makes sense.
I’ve seen plenty of people of a variety of races and classes cruising around greater New Haven blasting “A Milli” so i don’t know if this is really a fair assessment. Not that “A Milli” is the definitive summer jam.
I’m with Nick, but will take it one step further and call total bullshit. For one, we live in New York City; this article is talking about Illinois. What kids “cruise” in the city? Two, it’s only the first of July, so shut the fuck up. Three, besides the dominant reggaeton/other assorted Spanish music, I’ve heard plenty of “A Milli” and other Carter III jams in Brooklyn over the past few weeks (and some lingering “Love in This Club” action), and I don’t even own a radio right now. But the people on my block and rolling down 4th/5th Ave. do the work for me quite nicely.
Ok, I find this functionality on Tumblr a little annoying, but I’ve got to respond.
Contrary to popular belief, Linsday, the demographics of Park Slope are not representative of the rest of the United States in terms of car ownership*, driving habits, radio audiences and music preference. I’m glad that you’re taken care of in your little corner of the world, but the explosion of a summer jam also requires that other people are sharing your experience. Which, I assure you, they are not, in the flyover country you look down upon so disdainfully.
Also, I live where the black people do, and it’s all about classic soul, disco and dance hall over here this summer, with the occasional appearance of Ne-Yo. But then again, the vehicular traffic just isn’t anywhere near what it was last summer, based on my very unscientific observations. Because yeah, um, kids totally cruise in Brooklyn, when they can afford the gas. Then again, things may change up once block party season is in full swing.
Oh, and Spain is in Europe, honey. Reggaeton is a New World phenomeon. The language is Spanish, the cultural identity is Latin American.
*http://www.bts.gov/publications/national_transportation_statistics/html/table_automobile_profile.html
lol. Someone’s pissed at me for something I wrote on the internet. Love it.
So it’s sung/rapped in Spanish, no? I apologize for neglecting the word “in.” But besides, the whole politically correct using the word “Latino” and whatnot is a white people thing. Every single Latino/a I know (and I’ve been working in the service industry for a while, so lets just say I know more than a few) uses the word “Spanish” instead when discusses their culture/people/stereotypes. At best they’ll single out countries, as in, “Dominicans are…” Well, I’m sure you’ve heard.
I also think a summer jam isn’t even entirely about what cruising teenagers are bumping. It’s ultimately whatever Hot 97 and Power 105 play the most. Radio decides, not bloggers. Those are the songs I associate with summers past, what would be playing when I drove to work or put the radio on in the shower. How much do you even hear music coming from cars outside of the city?
Oh and, “where the black people [live]”? Really? You know that saying about there being no integrated neighborhoods, just those in the middle of crossing over? Nevermind. I think it’s safe to say that people outside of radio and the internet are not the least bit concerned by whether or not there’s an official summer jam yet. And as I said, summer just began. And this is still hilarious.
