Parsons Playlists: Kendrick Lamar

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Luis (class of 2025) who shares some of his favorite Kendrick Lamar songs in the wake of Lamar‘s appearance in the Super Bowl Halftime show on February 9th.

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar Half Time Show Performance

As many of you might already know, Kendrick Lamar graced this year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show with an unforgettable performance. For those who may not be familiar with him, Kendrick Lamar is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer, renowned for blending hip-hop with elements of jazz, funk, soul, and spoken word. His music often delves into themes such as race, social justice, and personal introspection. Lamar’s work is celebrated for its thought-provoking storytelling and intricate, layered lyricism.

Beyond his music, he is a powerful voice for activism, using his platform to address important issues impacting the African-American community. Following his recent Super Bowl performance, which many have described as a powerful statement filled with symbolism, discussions about his message regarding the current political climate in the U.S. have been buzzing across social media. With that in mind, I wanted to share some of my favorite songs by Kendrick Lamar.

Kendrick Lamar – “Humble”

Kendrick Lamar – “Swimming Pools (Drank)”

Kendrick Lamar (ft. Zacari) – “LOVE”

Kendrick Lamar (ft. Jay Rock) – “Money Trees”

Kendrick Lamar – “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe”

Kendrick Lamar and SZA – “luther”

Kendrick Lamar – “Squabble Up”

Kendrick Lamar – “tv off”

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”

Kendrick Lamar and SZA – “All The Stars”

SZA (ft. Kendrick Lamar) – “30 For 30”

Kendrick Lamar, Metro Boomin, and Future – “Like That”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zezy-7tY2ZXWT7JESsEvc5V4&si=7ePWGFOcX6CYkhD6

Arachnophonia: Unlock the Hidden Gems of The Music Library — More Than Just Books!

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Nikoloz (class of 2026) and features an assortment of items you can borrow from the Music Library that aren’t books or CDs. Thanks, Nikoloz!

Unlock the Hidden Gems of The Music Library — More Than Just Books!

We all know that libraries are a treasure trove of books and CDs, but did you know the Music Library offers so much more?
Whether you’re studying, exploring new hobbies, or just looking for some entertainment, the Music Library has resources you might not even know about. Here’s a quick guide to some of the amazing items you can check out and use:

DVDs
Movie night, anyone? You can borrow concert films, musicals, operas, educational documentaries and more from the Music Library. Just remember, these have a shorter loan period (one week), so plan your binge-watching accordingly!

DVD sampler

The Music Library loans out equipment too! Here are some of the coolest items you can borrow:

DVD Players: Don’t have a player at home? No problem—the library has you covered with a portable DVD player you can check out for a week.

We also offer External CD/DVD drives (USB) for in-library use. These can be plugged into the USB port on your laptop once they’re checked out. The loan period for this item is 4 hours.

External CD/DVD drive (USB)

Record Players and more: Love vinyl records? You can find a turntable in one of the study rooms (W201A), and enjoy the warm, nostalgic sound of your favorite albums.

The Music Library also has a portable record player that can be checked out from the library for one week!

Record Player

Did you know the Music Library has a vinyl record collection that can also be checked out? You can browse our vinyl holdings here.

You can also check out a boom box to play CDs, listen to the radio, or use as a Bluetooth speaker.

Boom Box

Laptops: Laptop computers are available for in library use for a 6 hour loan period. Perfect for cramming in some study time or finishing a last-minute assignment.

lenovo laptop

Why Not Explore?

Next time you’re in the library, take a moment to explore these lesser-known resources. Whether you’re checking out the turntable to spin some vinyl, grabbing a DVD for movie night, or borrowing a laptop to finish a project, The Music Library has something for everyone.

Don’t forget to ask the friendly staff at the main desk if you need help finding anything -— they’re there to make your library experience amazing!

Parsons Playlists: Afrofuturism

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library Associate Melanie and features some music with an Afrofuturism aesthetic.

Afrofuturism

Afrofuturism is a genre that centers Black history and culture and incorporates science-fiction, technology, and futuristic elements into literature, music, and the visual arts. Often using current social movements or popular culture as a backdrop, Afrofuturism focuses on works that examine the past, question the present, or imagine an (often) optimistic future, and are meant to inspire a sense of pride in their audience.

From Sun Ra‘s cosmic jazz to Beyoncé‘s homage to her roots in “Black Parade” to Janelle Monáe‘s sci fi themes of identity and liberation and beyond, afrofuturistic music highlights Black imagination, storytelling, and resilience. So enjoy some out of this world grooves by Black artists!

Parliament – “Mothership Connection (Star Child)”

Sun Ra – “Plutonian Nights”

Alice Coltrane – “The Sun”

Pharoah Sanders – “Astral Traveling”

Labelle – “Space Children”

Herbie Hancock – “Rockit”

Public Enemy – “Welcome to the Terrordome”

Janelle Monáe (feat. Erykah Badu) – “Q.U.E.E.N.”

Stevie Wonder – “Higher Ground”

Earth Wind and Fire – “Getaway”

Janelle Monáe (feat. Big Boi) – “Tightrope”

Kendrick Lamar – “Black Panther”

Beyoncé – “Black Parade”

Betty Davis – “They Say I’m Different”

Afrika Bambaataa and The Sonic Force – “Planet Rock”

Erykah Badu – “The Healer”

Funkadelic – “Cosmic Slop”

Grace Jones – “Slave to the Rhythm”

A Tribe Called Quest – “Electric Relaxation”

Sun Ra – “Space is the Place”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZexgVaxF7DIz4bnYkKqf04go&si=PBZ_AkQFoPRYipiy

And here it is on Spotify:

WDCE Charts 2-5-25

WDCE 90.1 Logo

WDCE 90.1: UR Radio is the voice of independent radio in Richmond, VA and has been student-run and operated since 1960.
Students have used it as a launching pad for careers in radio or other mass communications, and also as an engaging extra-curricular activity. Community members and UR alumni also continue to play an important role in the station.

We’re sharing chart information from WDCE as reported to the North American College and Community (NACC) Radio Chart.

Here’s the WDCE Top 30 from February 5, 2025 (click the image to see a larger version):

WDCE 2-5-25

For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):

NACC 2-5-25

You can stream WDCE live here: https://live365.com/station/WDCE-90-1-FM-a39711

WDCE Collage 2-5-25

Arachnophonia: Wicked

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Rocio (class of 2027) and features the piano/vocal selections score for the 2003 Broadway musical Wicked. Thanks, Rocio!

Wicked

Wicked

One of my favorite items from the Music Library is the piano and vocal selections from Wicked, the beloved Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz that has made its comeback since the movie and its iconic Broadway shows.

Not only is Wicked an iconic and transformative show in musical theater, but also its music is both emotionally powerful and technically engaging for performers.

Wicked is associated with a storyline of the wizard of Oz and basically describes who is wicked in the storyline or how does one become wicked. The songbook is full of catchy, dynamic numbers like “Defying Gravity” and heartfelt ballads such as “For Good,” each with its own unique, detailed vocal and piano arrangement. It’s a great tool for pianists and singers-be it preparing auditions, performances, or simply singing at home. It gives the musical theatre fan another way to access and enjoy the music, other than by simply listening to the cast album. The collection also provides insight into Stephen Schwartz’s ability to combine appealing, accessible, and singable melodies with deeper emotional themes, which will make this a great study for anyone into musical theater composition and performance.

Parsons Playlists: Bring It Back Now, Y’all

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Jillian (class of 2027) and features some songs for when you need to dance.

Bring It Back Now, Y’all

A fun throwback playlist for when you need a little dance 🙂

Diana Ross – “I’m Coming Out”

Natalie Cole – “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)”

Big Mountain – “Baby I Love Your Way”

Thurston Harris and the Sharps – “Little Bitty Pretty One”

Bee Gees – “You Should Be Dancing”

Earth Wind & Fire – “Boogie Wonderland”

James Brown – “I Got You (I Feel Good)”

The Jackson 5 – “I Want You Back”

Stevie Wonder – “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)”

Cass Elliot – “Make Your Own Kind Of Music”

James Brown – “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag”

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewBj17QP-3Ll_Enhf0Ee-Ki&si=eUe_wtzUV83dYSIK

WDCE Charts 1-29-25

WDCE 90.1 Logo

WDCE 90.1: UR Radio is the voice of independent radio in Richmond, VA and has been student-run and operated since 1960.
Students have used it as a launching pad for careers in radio or other mass communications, and also as an engaging extra-curricular activity. Community members and UR alumni also continue to play an important role in the station.

We’re sharing chart information from WDCE as reported to the North American College and Community (NACC) Radio Chart.

Here’s the WDCE Top 30 from January 29, 2025 (click the image to see a larger version):

For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):

You can stream WDCE live here: https://live365.com/station/WDCE-90-1-FM-a39711

Arachnophonia: Adele “25”

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Ibrahim (class of 2028) and features Adele’s 2015 album 25. Thanks, Ibrahim!

Adele

25

Adele’s 25 is more than just an album; it is a deeply emotional work of art, in such a way that love, heartbreak, and self-discovery are so well elaborated. This record would go on to achieve cultural phenomenon status in November 2015 by setting records and deeply resonating with people all over the world. To me, 25 poignantly touches on how we go about the passing of time and the relations shaping us.

“Hello” led off the album with raw emotion, powerful vocals barely contained, as if the heart were calling to the past, reconnecting with parts of ourselves we may have left behind. It’s a recurring theme throughout the album, approached so well that this record can be related to by nearly anyone. Songs like “When We Were Young” have a bittersweet ache of nostalgia, while “Million Years Ago” distills the longing for simplicity in today’s convoluted times.

What really makes 25 different is inimitable: the way Adele converts her vulnerabilities into captivatingly beautiful songs. Be it the melancholy of “All I Ask” or the uplifting rhythms of “Send My Love (To Your New Lover),” each song narrates a story of rising above the storm. It is an album for contemplation and solace, upheld for its honesty.

Adele herself describes 25 as a “make-up record,” one that came to reconcile the past into embracing the future. It’s an album that expresses great balance between heartbreak and hope in a swell manner, revealing her growth both as an artist and a person. If anyone’s looking for a soundtrack to his journey of self-discovery, then 25 would be an eternal selection.

Be it for the old-time fan of Adele or just a new listener, this album is definitely not to be missed. This just proves that around storytelling in music, there is always something to surprise you, and in the most broken moments, too, there will be beauty found.

WDCE Charts 1-22-25

WDCE 90.1 Logo

WDCE 90.1: UR Radio is the voice of independent radio in Richmond, VA and has been student-run and operated since 1960.
Students have used it as a launching pad for careers in radio or other mass communications, and also as an engaging extra-curricular activity. Community members and UR alumni also continue to play an important role in the station.

We’re sharing chart information from WDCE as reported to the North American College and Community (NACC) Radio Chart.

Here’s the WDCE Top 30 from January 22, 2025 (click the image to see a larger version):

WDCE 90.1 1-22-25

For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):

NACC 1-22-25

You can stream WDCE live here: https://live365.com/station/WDCE-90-1-FM-a39711

WDCE cover collage 1-22-25

WDCE Charts 1-15-25

WDCE 90.1 Logo

WDCE 90.1: UR Radio is the voice of independent radio in Richmond, VA and has been student-run and operated since 1960.
Students have used it as a launching pad for careers in radio or other mass communications, and also as an engaging extra-curricular activity. Community members and UR alumni also continue to play an important role in the station.

We’re sharing chart information from WDCE as reported to the North American College and Community (NACC) Radio Chart.

Here’s the WDCE Top 30 from January 15, 2025 (click the image to see a larger version):

For comparison, here is this week’s national NACC chart (click the image to see a larger version):

You can stream WDCE live here: https://live365.com/station/WDCE-90-1-FM-a39711