Need some party plans tonight? Do you like to drop it low while hearing Rihanna’s catalogue, or have a shrine dedicated to Queen Bey in your basement? Look no further than another Verses party from Halfway Crooks’ head honcho, DJ Levins.
Levdawg will be spinning classics from both respective R&B queens – as well as their male counterparts in Jay Z and Drake – tonight at Hudson Ballroom. He’ll be joined by an army of guests including recent addition to the Kool Dad crew Captain Franco, content queens FlexMami and Kritty, interstate guest Sezzo Snot and last but not least, Baby Mama. In anticipation of tonight’s shenanigans, all the DJs have run through some of the bangers you’ll be hearing tonight – prepare for some off-key sing-a-longs and plenty of dancefloor romance.
Get your tickets here or on the door, with more info via the Facebook event right here:
FLEX MAMI
Jay Z – Frontin
https://youtube.com/watch?v=LOtkH5amC7s
Technically it’s Pharrell’s track, however Jay Z’s is a extremely climatic moment that demands adequate air time. It’s next level hype and an apt take on tumultuous romantic relationships. Self reflection in the club is very 2016.
Rihanna – Watch and Learn
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y7mVL78-3j8
This is ‘Rude Boy’s equally vibey but often forgotten sister, who had the potential to be Work but Rih hadn’t secretly dated then subsequently broke up with Drake at this point.
Drake – HYFR
https://youtube.com/watch?v=0KCWqnldEag
Watching everyone exclaim “Do you love this shit? Are you high right now? Do you ever get nervous?” is a moment of pure elation. It’s career affirming and I highly recommend playing it.
Beyonce – Love Drought
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rrlJaVcZEQ
I have a very rare (wildly available) remix that I’ve peppered into every one of my RnB sets since the release of Lemonade. A ballad with a dancehall riddim? Yes, please. Note: Apologies for the pitched down Youtube mess. Tidal doesn’t want you to hear it without a subscription.
SEZZO SNOT
Beyonce – Get Me Bodied
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RioOJ7dZxuw
This lesser known energetic Beyonce jam was based on Bounce Music – it puts the ass in fantasstic! I got my start as a Bounce DJ/twerker so I have a huge soft spot for Bey’s tributes to the New Orleans (see also ‘Formation’).
Jay Z – BBC
Listen here.
Pharrell made this beat so it goes off (only available on Tidal OF COURSE). I feel like the sound moves along like a jingle jangly train carrying precious metals and Jay Z is the driver (tewt tewwwwt! *Major Payne Reference*).
Rihanna – Stay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF8BRvqGCNs
The ultimate DJ outro and a part of one of the most bewitching live medleys ever performed (see link to VMAs 2016). I love Rihanna’s ballads and you can see how her voice has vastly improved over the years, in keeping with my belief that everything is a skill you can perfect. Badgalriri has really got it, whatever ~ it ~ may be. The best role models are ones that don’t put themselves forward as a role model – Ri just does Ri and I love her for it.
Drake – Fireworks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQEn33fPLRQ
Drake doesn’t need an introduction – I’m playing this because he wrote it about Rihanna in 2010 when they broke up the first time, and now they’ve broken up again! I need consolation!
DJ LEVINS
Beyonce – Halo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnVUHWCynig
A cool trick I like to do while this is playing is hold my headphones above my head so it looks like a halo. It’s very effective and another great example of why I get the big bucks.
Drake – Crew Love (feat The Weekend)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0NV_dFX08g
I love those intro drums so much. If the crowd would allow it I’d just play that intro on loop for 3 minutes.
Mya – Best of Me Part 2 (Feat Jay-Z)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KT3jOVY1cA
Jay has done like 10 collabs with both Beyonce and Rihanna, but his best R&B collab was with Mya in 1999. One of my favourite (actual) Young Hov verses. 5 4 3 2 1….
Rihanna – You Da One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3HeLs8Yosw
I’ll be honest, of all the artists we’re playing on Saturday night, Rihanna is my favourite. Technically I’m the most excited to play ALL her songs, but just about every week I decide one of her tracks is my all time fav, and this week it’s ‘You Da One’. Rihanna reggae medleys are generally the highlight of my night.
BABY MAMA
Jay-Z – Big Pimpin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgoqrgc_0cM
Jigga the playboy before meeting his kwoin mama B. This Timbaland meet is a guaranteed pimp sway at the club. You can shrug ya shoulders keep it low key or get hands on your knees low to it.
Beyonce – Ring The Alarm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY_mrU8MPfI
“My female intuition tellin’ me you a dog.” Call and response to ‘Big Pimpin’, from Aunty Bey. For all the Beehive larvae, Yonce had fire and rage way before Lemonade came out.
Rihanna – Raining Men (feat Nicki Minaj)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alxj86uL3c0
Riri is a certified baddie, paired with Ms Minaj they flex on all the thirsty mens chasing for them. It sounds like a club clap game, you can bounce ya bitties to it!
YG – Why You Always Hatin’ (feat Drake & Kamaiyah)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkVS79y4p4Y
Alrightttttt I know it isn’t Drizzy’s traCk but this an absolute banger it’s smug thug’s bouncin and I needed to squeeze it in! Drake’s verse goes harddddd. Trust me siblings you’ll all enjoy this on the D floor! Plezzzzz plezzz tell me why you always hatinnnn.
KRITTY
Rihanna – Man Down
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEhy-RXkNo0
Don’t ask me why but I have a thing for songs that have rum pum pum pum in it and this is definitely one of the best. Also it has a 10/10 intro to tease the crowd with.
Drake – Forever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDuRoPIOBjE
The first song I ever heard from pre-swol Drake. When the only Drake I knew was the one from Drake and Josh. This changed everything.
Beyonce – Upgrade U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nr8hPnZfMU
Seeing people immediately catch that horn section in the intro and squeal with excitement is a gee up and what a beautiful sentiment to sing to your significant other.
Jay-Z – Empire State Of Mind (feat Alicia Keys)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPeOkzadr5g
The only Jay-Z song I know all the words to and any excuse to put that to practice.
CAPTAIN FRANCO
Beyonce x Jay Z – Bonnie and Clyde (Crooked Remix)
Still one of the funnest mash ups. This always goes off and bound to set the room alight when dropped on Saturday night!
Drake – Take Care (feat Rihanna)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zzP29emgpg
One of the emotional highlights of the first Beyonce vs Rihanna party was the sing-a-long when this track dropped. A flawless collab.
