Detroitisit’s spring 2024 playlist is chirping a glorious mixture of sounds to help you reconnect with your love for Detroit’s diverse sounds. There’s always something new to discover in the Detroit and Motown musical cornucopia. Rediscover the classics that brought us beautiful jazz and blues, and then jive into the more modern sounds of R&B, techno, punk, and rock. The cultural landscape of Detroit is shaped by extraordinary artistic talent that is continuously heard & seen.
Here’s another curated spectacular list of Detroit natives and other greats of Motown as well as popular black musical artists for Detroitisit’s Spring 2024 playlist.
ROCK STEADY: ARETHA FRANKLIN
We’re starting off this Spring 2024 playlist strong with the one and only, Aretha Franklin “The Queen of Soul” is a queen of numerous greatest hits on many Detroit playlists. Call this song “exactly what it is” and move your hips! It’s time to rock side-to-side with “Rock Steady”, proudly sung by Aretha Franklin from the 1972 album, ‘Young, Gifted And Black’ (1972). This continual groove, sprinkled with brassy notes will get you in the groove for moving. Play this tune and your place will be looking new & absolutely fresh.
YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE-STEVIE WONDER
Detroitisit’s spring 2024 playlist wouldn’t be complete without the sweetly seasoned perfection of Michigan music legend, Stevie Wonder. Everything the man touched seemed to turn to gold. Enjoy “You Are The Sunshine of My Life” while getting out in the sun when you can. This shiny single was released in 1973 and became Wonder’s third number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart as well as his first number-one on the Easy Listening chart.
DOWN ON THE STREET-THE STOOGES
Take a musical turn with this next Detroit-infused music talent for Detroitisit’s spring 2024 playlist. Did you know that the first major commercial show for the Psychedelic Stooges was on March 3, 1968, at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit, opening for Blood, Sweat & Tears? Whether you’re jamming out on the actual streets of Downtown Detroit or rocking it out at home, crank the volume up a little extra for The Stooges.
BACK & FORTH: AALIYAH
There are so many sultry selections from R&B singer and actress, Aaliyah. The Detroit-raised talent was a trendsetter in music, film, and fashion. In 2001, her life was tragically cut short at the age of 22 from an airplane crash. Take some time this spring to remember the impact of Aaliyah’s early musical success and lasting legacy. In 1994, at the age of 14, Aaliyah released her first album, “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number.” The first single, “Back And Forth,” was a top five hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and a No.1 R&B song. Don’t stop moving! Dive deeper into the discography of the “Princess of R&B”.
I’M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME-DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES AND THE TEMPTATIONS
Next up on Detroitisit’s spring 2024. The best of Detroit music oozes from this delightful Motown classic. Originally written by Kenneth Gamble, Jerry Williams, and Jerry Ross in 1966, this love song recorded in 1968 by Motown legends, Diana Ross & The Supremes along with The Temptations. “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” is the perfect transition into the sweet sounds of summer.
SOMEDAY WE’LL BE TOGETHER-DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES AND THE TEMPTATIONS
We couldn’t get away with just one hit from this dynamic duo for this groovy Detroit playlist. Give yourself permission to accept change with this beloved tune. This final single was essentially a “send-off” to The Supremes group member, Diana Ross as she took on a new chapter as a solo artist. The song may have had many writers involved as well as other voices putting their own spin on it throughout time, but there are two standouts. This collaboration was released on November 21, 1968 and is cherished in a myriad of ways.
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