If the Beastie Boys were right that we have to fight for the right to party, we’ve certainly earned our celebrations this year. From the deepest, grooviest, most heart felt vocal tracks, to the head throbbing, pounding and pulsating heavy beats, these are the top scorchers DJs are spinning across the country to get their Pride parties started.
Jason Walker
Out Music Award winner Jason Walker returns to the dance floor with a deep groove that hypnotizes with lush textures and pulsating layers of beats by acclaimed dance producer C-Rod. Currently #5 on the Billboard dance chart, the track continues Walker’s dance floor dominance while simultaneously aiming to inspire unity this pride season. Walker expertly attacks high scaling notes few other male artists would attempt leaving the beat with no other choice but to keep pumping. Remixes by Donald Glaude, Chad Jack, Gustavo Scorpio, C-Rod, Wayne G, Lior Maan, Strobe, The Degenerates and DJ Ting.
Bex
The follow-up to “Life of the Party”, Bex’s new track is a dark and mysterious up-in-da-clurrb booty shaker that questions society’s ever-growing obsession with looking good. Produced by Mike Rizzo and Mr. Mig, “What You Are” raises its middle finger to things considered normal (like the nuclear family) and flawed (like a bumpy nose or a gap between the teeth). Bex sings that its time we love our selves for who and what we are, even the ‘unpretty, dirty sides’. After all, isn’t that what pride is all about? New remixes by DJ Cutmore, Funk Generation (DJ Mike Rizzo), Gustavo Scorpio, H3DRush, The Perry Twins, Wayne G and LFB.
Dina Delicious
Here is a pop tune that stands the test of time for its infectious, catchy, uplifting melodies. The Stacey Q original was scrumptious in the 80s. Leave it to Dina Delicious, the fun-loving double d trans artist whose music steers bubblegum pop into cotton candy territory, to make it even sweeter. With breathy vocals and mellifluous beats, Delicious pumps new life into the classic with a dance track that is easy to jump to and sing along with.
Karl Giant
Karl Giant proves he is a man of many trades and master of all. He’s a celeb photographer (has shot Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian), a TV reality star (he’s on TV’s Jerseylicious), and now a dance queen. Co-produced by Josh Harris, “Turning it” is a furiously energetic, fist-pump-in-the-air house track with a big melody and impressive vocals. Turns out the fabulously pint-sized Giant can sing. And as an added bonus, Beat Don’t Stop’s Jason Walker provides background vocals. Try to stay seated at the bar when this song comes on. It’s impossible.
Emii
The colorful rocker whose ode to Stiletto heels quickly became a gay dance floor anthem last summer returns this Pride with a sugary-sweet, synthed-out party record written by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Crystal Nicole. Emii’s booming vocals rise above the hard pounding beat as she sings the ultimate girl done wrong bitch track. You go, girl! In the immortal words of RuPaul, If you don’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else? New remixes by A-Lab, Cutmore, and Monikkr.
Shara Strand
Strand has made a name for herself by being the antithesis of the shredded, processed, and roboticized divas that rule today’s dance floors. She has true vocal power and proves it in her latest track. With its strident beat and pinging guitars, the radio edit of “I Will Carry You” is a straight-up love ballad, reminiscent of Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me”. But when given the DJ Escape treatment, it becomes a powerhouse dance anthem sure to carry you into your own personal heaven. New remixes also by Klubjumpers, D1 Music, Mike Rizzo, Edson Pride, DJ Corey and SoulBeats.
“Come With Us”
Sasha Gradiva
This latest club anthem from the platinum blonde rocker continues the movement started by artists like Ke$ha and Gaga that welcome the disenfranchised into the party. Produced by platinum hit maker Tricky Stewart (the man behind Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”, the track is thunderously stomping dance pop at its best. Gradiva’s exhilarating vocals over the excellent production literally sets the dance floor ablaze.
