Big beat summer

It’s already past the midway point of 2016, but there’s no need to panic just yet - we still have a solid month of summer left. But by the time the upcoming KAABOO festival hits Del Mar, the horses will be gone, school will be back in session, and most of the Zonies will have returned to the desert.

With the last few days of beach parties, bonfires and barbeques upon us, it’s always a good idea to have a solid accompanying soundtrack to close out everyone’s favorite season.

Here are the latest and greatest releases to keep things going until we have to say goodbye to another epic San Diego summer:

Gucci Mane - “Everybody Looking”

Recorded in less than a week after Mane (Radric Davis) was released from prison in May, “Everybody Looking” marks the influential Atlanta rapper’s first studio album since 2011’s “The Return of Mr. Zone 6.” Although Mane was able to release digital albums and mixtapes during his incarceration, “Everybody Looking” is Mane’s ninth official studio album. Featuring guests Drake, Kaye West, and Young Thug, the album is a welcome return to form. Really though, how can you argue with someone who drops a single titled “1st Day Out tha Feds” literally one day after getting out of jail?

DJ Snake - “Encore”

Wow. It’s been quite a run for French producer DJ Snake. It doesn’t seem like it’s already been three years since he teamed with Lil Jon for the smash hit “Turn Down For What.” Maybe that’s because he almost immediately followed that up by helping to make Major Lazer’s single “Lean On” one of the most popular of all time. Years in the making, he’s finally releasing his own debut album. Already bolstered by the single “Middle” feat. Bipolar Sunshine, the highly anticipated album also features collaborations with everyone from Skrillex and Travis Scott to Swizz Beats and Justin Bieber.

Snoop Dogg - “Coolaid”

It’s hard to really get a bead on where Snoop fits into rap in 2016. But listening to the legendary MCs 14th album, “Coolaid,” proves that he doesn’t care about things like that. And neither should his fans. Eschewing all of the sub-genres that have infiltrated hip-hop since Snoop first rapped on the soundtrack to Deep Cover in 1992, much of “Coolaid” could serve as companion pieces to his “Doggystyle” debut or Dr. Dre’s breakthrough, “The Chronic.” Featuring guests like Too Short and E-40, and a standout sample of Gary Numan’s 1979 hit “Cars,” the Doggfather continues his run as the reigning champion of West Coast gangsta rap.

Albums from De La Soul, Travis Scott, Angie Stone, Gonjasufi, Atmosphere, and Blood Orange will also arrive before September.

Source: DiscoverSD