The Best Summer Playlist for 2025

Summer is the perfect time of year to deep clean your apartment, organize your phone, buy all new clothes and, of course, create the perfect summer playlist. So, that’s exactly what I did. I put a few of my favorite songs into a playlist to get a start on that perfect summer playlist. 

I know one of the most important things to think about when creating a playlist is that there needs to be a plethora of genres that you can find in one place. Therefore, this playlist is some of my favorite throwbacks, rap, R&B, rock and pop songs all combined to give that lying in the sun feeling. 

I think any summer playlist needs to have the basics: “Feels like Summer” by Childish Gambino, “Pass the Dutchie” by Musical Youth, “Doses & Mimosas” by Cherub and “The Thrill” by Wiz Khalifa & Empire of the Sun. These are the summer essentials, since they came out these songs have secured themselves a spot on everyone's summer playlist for the rest of time. Who am I to argue with tradition? So, of course they’re on my playlist!

Next, I wanted to add those songs that truly capture that summer feeling to me and I could listen to them for the whole season and not get tired of them. These are songs like “It Was a Good Day” by Ice Cube, “Kolors” by Monte Booker, “We” by Mac Miller, “Point In My Life” by Gucci Mane and “Misses” by Dominic Fike. These are just a couple of my favorite songs that I think can be put on at any function during the summer months and everyone will have a great time. I really enjoy the relaxed but fun vibe each song brings – I could listen to them falling asleep on a beach somewhere or getting ready to go out. 

Then, I had to look at my throwback pop playlist, because you can never go wrong with some early 2000s bangers. I included some classics like “Tumblr Girls” by G-Eazy, “Rollin” by Calvin Harris, “Glad You Came” by The Wanted, “Never Be Like You” by Flume and a few Drake songs from his R&B days. These songs could lift anyone's mood in a second and sometimes summer just needs a pick-me-up. 

Of course, I also had to take a look at my mom’s playlist and add some of our favorite summer songs to listen to with the windows down at full volume in her little Volvo. Some of these are “Chillin’” by Modjo, “If” by Janet Jackson, “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac, “Steal My Sunshine” by Len and “Lola” by the Kinks. 

These few examples are in no way all of the songs and artists this playlist features. Artists like the Bee Gees, Justin Timberlake, Brent Faiyez, Kendrick Lamar, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion and Frank Ocean all guaranteed a spot on every summer playlist I ever make. 

I encourage everyone to check out the full 12 hour playlist on Apple Music (sorry Spotify users), and use my playlist as a base to add even more of your favorite songs. Summer comes right after Movin’ On, so make sure to make that playlist ASAP. See you all May 2nd at the IM Fields!