​Dear White People Soundtrack Bumps It As Hard As The Show

As if you needed another reason to love/appreciate DWP for all that it is, the show’s soundtrack is straight fire. Sam White isn’t the only thing shaking up the radio waves on Dear White People. The Netflix Original series, based on a movie of the same name by Justin Simien, has an incredible soundtrack featuring both household names and hidden gems. Here are Street’s top three favorite tracks.

“Sunny Duet” by Noname (feat. the Mind)

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The Chicago native’s crisp lyrics cut through airy doo–wops as Sam brings Gabe to the “Defamation” watch party at Anderson–Parker. The track, fresh off Noname’s latest project “Telefone” that has been three years in the making, focuses on solid indicators of true love such as what one call’s their significant other when they’re not around. With lyrics about being on one’s best behavior and courtship in a lonely road, Noname’s calm and collected demeanor on the track perfectly match Sam and Gabe’s harmony—while the background scatting adds the perfect amount of suspense to the scene.

Noname, formerly Noname Gypsy, first got her start in the downtown Chicago arts scene, honing her lyrical skills amongst local talents including the now famous Chance the Rapper. The new starlet—known amongst poets for her 3rd place performance in the prestigious slam poetry competition “Louder than a Bomb”—has been on the rise with guest performances on Chance the Rapper’s “Acid Rap” and “Coloring Books” and Jeremih’s Christmas album Merry Christmas Lil’ Mamma.

So, “forgive me, hate me, call me crazy as long as you” show your love for this laid-back anthem.

“We The People….” by A Tribe Called Quest

Featured on the season one finale, “We The People….” is exactly what you’d expect from the veterans who’ve remained at the top of the alternative hip–hop scene since their formation in 1985. A response to everyone under the illusion that we live in a post–racial America, the track calls attention to issues like police brutality, racial profiling and discrimination, sexism, and the threat of deportation. A perfect echo for Sam’s radio show and the town hall protest, Tribe manages to pack a major punch while still maintaining their trademark chill.

“Bougie Party” by Chloe x Halle

Still want to sing about being bougie after hearing the Migos and Uzi track on repeat last sem?

The Beyonce approved duo—Rolling Stone reports that Queen Bey signed the sisters to her label Parkwood Entertainment in 2013—serves up the perfect combination of class and sass on the tune on this ethereal take on hip–hop. With lines like “My name was on the list, he went to stamp my wrist” and “Now I'm walking past the velvet rope/Now I'm headed up the stair through the roof then I was there/I was greeted by the stares that let me go,” prepare to be feeling yourself and channeling your not–so–inner diva.

Time to dust off your shmoney dance and body rolls for this new–age juke jam.