February 2017 - DC Clubbing

Month: February 2017

Top 10 Best Sia Anthems of All Time (Or Right Now…Your Choice)

Amazingly enough, it’s been 20 years since Sia, possibly 2017’s biggest mainstream female pop vocalist, released her debut album. It’s amazing in the sense that somehow, there’s a singer-songwriter with her level of undeniable talent that’s patiently waited for the opportunity to reach her own stardom, instead of writing songs for everyone from Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera to Beyonce, Maroon 5, Eminem, and more. Though she still writes many songs, it’s her ability in writing and singing, for the most part, her own songs where she’s surged to greater success than ever before. Following in a line from Britney Spears to Lady Gaga, she could easily be the music industry’s next superstar female pop icon. Here’s ten of her most impacting pop hits.


10. Sia – The Greatest (featuring Kendrick Lamar) (PURCHASE HERE)

Sia closed an impressive 2016 with “The Greatest,” an emotionally uplifting single featuring Kendrick Lamar. Perceived by many to be a tribute to those killed in the tragic Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, the song hit number one in ten countries and to date has sold 2.5 million singles.


9. Katy Perry – Chained To The Rhythm (PURCHASE HERE)

Though just-released, the potential of a Sia-written and Katy Perry sung tropical house song (with the aforementioned Furler providing uncredited guest vocals) in 2017 is quite high. It’s also a Max Martin production that features Skip, the latest Marley to join in the family’s musical legacy. Though for Sia, writing ever-so-slightly politically-motivated songs is nothing new, for Katy Perry, lending her vocal to these ideas is quite the progressive push, indeed.


8. Sia – Helium (PURCHASE HERE)

Sia’s latest artist release is “Helium,” which given its placement on the soundtrack of Fifty Shades Darker, the follow up to 2015’s successful film adaptation of novel Fifty Shades of Gray, should mean immense success. Already zipping to the top of the pop charts globally, its American success should be forthcoming, likely due to the oh so many remixes we should expect soon enough.


7. Kanye West – Wolves (PURCHASE HERE)

Kanye West’s 2016-released album The Life of Pablo had significant initial fanfare. Key to this excitement was the album’s build that included the Sia and Vic Mensa-featuring “Wolves” being used in a marketing campaign for the Balmain fashion house, as well as a performance on Saturday Night Live. Sia partnering with West is a massive look, and likely only scratching the surface of hip-hop collaborations to come.


6. David Guetta – She Wolf (Falling to Pieces) (PURCHASE HERE)

French electro production titan David Guetta’s modern career evolution into a pop superstar has been largely tied to female voices. From Kelly Rowland jumping on 2009’s “When Love Takes Over” to Fergie on the same year’s “Gettin’ Over You” and including Sia’s appearance on this big room banger, women have have provided an invaluable assist to his success.


5. David Guetta – Bang My Head (PURCHASE HERE)

The first of what has become many Sia appearances on tropical house productions was arguably the most intriguing collaboration of her career. Pairing here with New Jersey-bred trap rapper Fetty Wap and her aforementioned frequent collaborator Guetta, Sia shows an impressive ability to diversify her talents and seamlessly fit in to craft a hit with far-reaching potential.


4. David Guetta – Titanium (PURCHASE HERE)

Maybe the single most responsible for Sia’s solo breakout is “Titanium,” her chart-topping electro house collaboration with David Guetta. A massive, thrashing, and synth-driven sonic boom of a production is actually elevated to another level with Sia’s vocal. Her ability to match the energy of the production with her vocal performance is what makes her a superstar, and it’s a well-showcased talent here.


3. Sia – Chandelier (PURCHASE HERE)

Maybe outside of Rihanna, there’s really no other female vocalist at-present who lends the level of emotional connection to wild, party-girl lifestyle than Sia. The most unlikely of trap anthems, “Chandelier, definitely is the perfect accompaniment to a night in VIP, with shots, bottles, vodka drinks, and everything that comes with that. It’s a truly beautiful song overall.


2. Flo Rida – Wild Ones (PURCHASE HERE)

As just mentioned, Sia’s greatest gift as a singer is her ability to really double-down on describing what makes the “wild girl” lifestyle so entertaining. Therefore, it stands to reason that a collaboration with her and “king of the party rappers” Flo Rida for 2012’s “Wild Ones” was such a hit. Sometimes the biggest songs make the most logical sense.


1. Sia – Cheap Thrills (PURCHASE HERE)

In the blend of tropical house, reggaeton, top-40 pop and the kind of songwriting brilliance that includes lyrics like “I ain’t got gas, I ain’t got cash, but I got you bay-beee” is where Sia’s 2016/2017 super-smash is actually not just possibly her best song ever, but also one of the best songs of the modern era overall. There’s something about there being just enough Sean Paul, just enough percussion and just enough of Sia’s voice here that makes this phenomenal.

Top 10 Atlanta-Based Rappers Of All Time

If you’re in any of Panorama Productions’ nightclubs, be it Decades, Echostage, Barcode, L8, Soundcheck, or Ultrabar, rap from Atlanta-based artists has been setting a top-tier party standard for nearly three decades. From the breakout sounds of Outkast to Migos’ modern pop domination, there’s 25 years of iconic songs and artists. Listed below, as compiled from Billboard charts, journalists’ lists, and numerous other takes on the legacy of Dirty South rap, are the 15 top artists in Atlanta rap history.


NUMBERS 15-11

15. Yung Joc
14. Goodie Mob
13. ILoveMakonnen
12. Killer Mike
11. Young Jeezy


10. Rae Sremmurd

The lead rappers from Mike WILL Made It’s EarDrumma Records are Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi, aka Rae Sremmurd. Impressively, in under four years the duo has released two full length albums, four top ten rap singles, one of those being “Black Beatles,” a single that also reached the top of the Hot 100 charts as well. The sky’s the limit for Rae Sremmurd, and if this list were being made in a year, they could easily be further up the chart!


9. Waka Flocka Flame

One of the most eye-catching rap-to-pop stars of the past decade is the Atlanta-born emcee famed for trap anthems including “Hard In The Paint” and “Grove St. Party.” Flame’s unique excellence though is in his ability to cross over from rap into electronic music, as he impressively grew in superstar acclaim during the EDM era. The only emcee on this list with singles alongside Flosstradamus and Borgore, as well as Drake and Wale, he’s set an expansive standard of excellence.


8. Gucci Mane

When not incarcerated, there’s possibly no greater underground-legendary rapper in the music industry than Gucci Mane. Having amazingly released 10 studio albums and a seemingly unlimited stream of mixtapes, his output is voluminous. 2009’s “Wasted” may be his ultimate hit, and one of the most exciting smashes of the “turn up” era. As well, if you include songs like “Lemonade” in the mix, he’s an underrated hit-making superstar.


7. Migos

Whether it’s their first mainstream smash “Versace” or current chart topper “Bad and Bougee,” the trio of Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff are well on their way to zooming up the chart of respect among their fellow Peach State-based hip-hop legends. There’s a quite true statement that can be made that Migos’ member Quavo could be the most consistently excellent emcee in the rap industry today. Only barely scratching the surface of the heights they could eventually reach, they may have the greatest current pure hit-making potential of any of the artists listed on this countdown.


6. 2 Chainz

Maybe the most veteran emcee on this list, 2 Chainz’s career actually began in 1997 as Playaz Circle member Tity Boi. That group had initial success joining with Lil Wayne for 2007 single “Duffle Bag Boy,” but when Tity Boi split from Playaz Circle in 2011 and became 2 Chainz, his career reached another level of success. A part of 13 top 10 rap singles in the past five years, he’s recorded with everyone from Kanye West and Nicki Minaj to Juicy J and A$AP Rocky.


5 (tie). Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em

From doing the “Superman” to “[turning his] Swag On,” “Kissing [Girls] Through The Phone,” discovering his “Pretty Boy Swag,” sending “LOL :-)” texts and so much more, Soulja Boy truly embodied the simplicity of the pop potential of Atlanta rap. A dance-rap heavy-hitter, five of the first ten singles he ever released were top 10 hits, and overall, those singles sold nearly 20 million copies. If you’re of a certain age, admit it, you had NUMEROUS Soulja Boy ringtones…


5 (tie). Future

From releasing single “Turn On The Lights” in 2012 to co-releasing the What A Time To Be Alive mixtape with Drake in 2015, Future’s had a meteoric superstar rise that puts him directly in line with the likes of Lil Jon, Soulja Boy, and his modern contemporaries Migos. Future’s ability to blend sing-song hooks with a relaxed and undeniable pop swagger has allowed him to surge to mainstream superstardom.


4. Ludacris

In a roughly 15 year career, Ludacris has sold 15 million albums. Not only has he sold such a significant number of albums, but improving upon Soulja Boy’s earlier mentioned standard, eight of Ludacris’ first ten singles were top 10 rap chart hits. In his career past 2003, he became a mainstream superstar, with six top ten Billboard Hot 100 singles including “Stand Up” and “Money Maker,” which reached number one overall. With a literal decade of smash jams that still fill dance floors to the modern era, he’s a supreme Atlanta hitmaker.


3. T.I.

At least 30 hits, nine albums, Grammy, MTV, Billboard, and BET Awards, plus innumerable other honors into his career and T.I. has set a superstar rap standard unapproachable even by other star artists in the genre. From his duets with artists including everyone from Rihanna to M.I.A., as well as street-beloved classics like “Bring Em Out,” “Rubberband Man,” and “U Don’t Know Me,” he’s had a diverse set of instant classic moments.


2. Outkast

Though not necessarily known as much for inspiring dance parties past songs like Speakerboxxx/The Love Below’s “I Like The Way You Move” and Stankonia album single “Bombs Over Baghdad,” the work of Big Boi and Andre 3000 have inarguably set the vibe and flow of Atlanta rap for nearly 25 years. Hits like “Player’s Ball,” “Elevators,” and “Ms. Jackson” are as much a part of hip-hop culture as graffiti and breakdancing.


1. Lil Jon

As both a rapper and producer, Lil Jon has 20 total top ten hip-hop singles in his career. If a clubgoer, it’s the idea that he’s a vocalist on songs including “Get Low” and “Turn Down For What,” or the man behind the boards for Too Short’s “Blow The Whistle” and Usher’s “Yeah” that should list him as not just an Atlanta rap all-time great, but a hip-hop cultural icon, and probably also an immediate Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, too.

DCClubbing’s 2017 Valentine’s Day Weekend Guide!

Yes, we know. Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday. So, what we’re suggesting here is that instead of *just* celebrating on one night, this is an ideal time to extend Valentine’s Day from this coming Friday through Tuesday evening. If looking to make this the ultimate celebration for bae, follow our advice and we’re certainly not going to steer you in the wrong direction.


FRIDAY NIGHT

SHARAM AT SOUNDCHECK (TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE)

Kick off your Valentine’s Day weekend at Soundcheck with Iranian-born DC emigrant techno legend Sharam. Formerly one half of the iconic duo Deep Dish, he celebrates 25 years as a DJ in 2017 with Radioactive, his latest album. There may be no better space in the city than Soundcheck, with its all-soundproofed and underground-leaning presentation, that could highlight Sharam’s superstar style. A Grammy-winning producer who has been acclaimed by everyone from the BBC to artists like P. Diddy and Kid Cudi, he’s a legend’s legend.

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LIT FRIDAYS AT ULTRABAR

Friday are Ultrabar’s Lit Fridays, DC’s latest and most exciting five-level mega party! From drink specials to jello shots, balloons, dancers, and more, we’ve succeeded at creating the ultimate end-of-the-week turn up. More of the best in music, fun and total entertainment is now available in the middle of the city. We’ll see you soon!


SATURDAY NIGHT

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REWIND SATURDAYS AT DECADES

The DC Metropolitan area’s biggest turn-back-the-clock party now starts at 9 PM on Saturday night at Decades and features three floors of the biggest tunes from the 80s, 90s, 2000s and today. From the sound to the designs on the walls and more, Decades has created multiple world class nightlife experiences in one 12,000 square foot venue.


SUNDAY MORNING

BARCODE’S SUNDAY BRUNCH

Though best known for their incredible late night parties, corporate events, weddings, and private performances, Sunday brunch at Barcode is a super-special event. While the chicken and waffles are beloved, it’s the rib-eye steak with soft fried egg, bearnaise sauce and french fries that we will suggest as well. Top it off with a mimosa, and you’re soaking up a wild Saturday night and starting the end of your pre-Valentine’s Day weekend in a manner most ideal.


MONDAY NIGHT

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER VS. WASHINGTON WIZARDS (TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE)

A late-season showdown between two of the best players in the National Basketball Association? Yes, if bae is a sports fanatic, there’s no hotter ticket in town for Cupid’s Arrow eve than watching the master of the triple-double Russell Westbrook and the NBA’s most dynamic player in John Wall as the Oklahoma City Thunder play the Washington Wizards. While this may not be a preview of the NBA Finals, it could easily be the must-see game of the 2017 NBA campaign.


TUESDAY NIGHT

ANTHONY SANTOS AT ECHOSTAGE (TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE)

Foremost Dominican bachata balladeer Anthony Santos plays a most ideal concert at Echostage on Valentine’s Day evening. Described as “precisely the right musician in the right place at the right time during bachata’s history,” his merengue-flavored sound is rhythmic, pop-ready and entirely danceable. WIth likely as many hits on the Latin Billboard charts as he has years behind the microphone, if a fan of Latin pop, this is a must-attend event for certain.

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PIZZA PARTY AT SOUNDCHECK

DC Clubbing’s in the building this Tuesday evening at Soundcheck (1420 K St NW) for the special #ValentinesDay Edition of their Pizza Party. As always, there will be free pizza while it lasts from &pizza, as well as hip-hop, trap, and top 40 from resident spinners DJ EPX & DJ RI5E. It’s advised to be there early as the event tends to get crowded quickly.