The airwaves of summer 2024 were dominated by hit songs across multiple genres. From pop songs like “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter, to rap like “Million Dollar Baby” by Tommy Richman, “TGIF” by GloRilla and “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar, there was something for everyone.
Their cultural impact has created a wave of new conversations on social media regarding what the song of the summer is. We talked to a few Howard students from around the globe to get their takes. Here’s what we discovered.
Payton Garcia, a sophomore economics major and community development minor from Chicago
What do you believe the “song of the summer” is?
PG: The song of the summer is a song everybody is having fun with and is using as a relaxation tool. Summer songs set the mood to enjoy what you’ve earned! The song of the summer is “Not Like Us.” It’s not my song of the summer, but if we’re talking song of the summer for everybody, it’s culturally important, especially the music video. Kendrick expressed what hip-hop really is, like the homies in the video, and him going to the places he used to live at in Compton. My favorite part is when he went to the local chicken place. It’s just so Black…it was very nostalgic.
Does summer 2024 remind you of any other time when summer was dominated by a single song or two or three?
PG: 2024 is reminiscent of 2014 when Fetty Wap had everybody in a chokehold. Great memories of great music!
How has the music scene in Chicago impacted your music taste?
PG: Growing up in Chicago, I listened to a lot of drill, house music, blues, jazz and R&B. I also enjoy alternative rap music.
Trinity Colbert, a junior music therapy major and classical voice minor from Atlanta
What do you believe is “the song of the summer” and why?
TC: “Get In With Me” by BossMan Dlow! It definitely has been making waves throughout the music community!
Has the song you selected created an impact in current media?
TC: A lot of people use his punch lines as Instagram captions and are able to bounce their head to it because of the catchy beat. Like he said, “You wanna be the boss! You gotta pay the price!”
How did the music scene in Atlanta inspire your music taste?
TC: It inspired my love of southern music, especially [songs] with hard beats or smooth R&B.
Ahmad Mausi, a sophomore business management major from Raleigh, North Carolina
What do you believe is the “song of the summer”?
AM: I feel like it’s “Not Like Us.” I would say that would be the main one, because it was so big. I feel like the song of the summer really had to have a chokehold on everybody. Also, I would say “Fisher” by Cash Cobain or “No Chill” by PartyNextDoor.
How has the music scene in your hometown impacted your music taste?
AM: I moved to North Carolina when I was about four, but I’ve always gone back and forth. Having older cousins out there who have put me on to Detroit music has been really impactful.
Who is your favorite artist from your hometown?
AM: I grew up listening to a lot of Big Sean. I would also say Sada Baby.
Ramat Olasunkanmi, a sophomore psychology major, human development minor from Queens, New York
What do you believe is the “song of the summer” and why?
RO: My criteria for the song of the summer is one with the strongest cultural impact, and one that embodies the excitement and community that summer brings. The summer song is “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar.
Has the song you selected created an impact in current media?
RO: I would argue that it is more popular because of social media. The song has created a cultural movement around the world especially amongst Black people in America. The conversations and hype from some of the biggest names in hip-hop heavily contributed to why “Not Like Us” is so popular.
Does summer 2024 remind you of any other time when summer was dominated by a single song or two or three?
RO: Summer 2024 reminds me of my very first summer in America. It was 2017. “Unforgettable” by French Montana was one of the songs of the summer.
Aderonke Martins, senior supply chain management major from Lagos, Nigeria
What do you believe the “song of the summer” is?
AM: The song that represents my summer is “Wickedest” by Tems.
How has the music scene in your home country impacted your music taste?
AM: The music scene in my home country is mainly Afrobeats. Most of the music I listen to is Afrobeats, Afrofusion or a mix of something else.
Who is your favorite artist from your home country?
AM: I have two. They are Rema and the musician BOJ, who produces more alternative Afrobeats.
And the winner is…. “Not Like Us”! The song’s lyrics highlight the beef between two of the biggest names in hip-hop, Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Its popularity among students solidifies it as the anthem we all needed. Whether team Lamar or Drake, according to Howard students, this was undeniably the song of summer 2024.
Copy edited by Camiryn Stepteau
