Seems every few months I see a slew of posts online asking about game day mixes for The U. My issue with most mixes is that they get too heavy regarding ‘flavor of the month’ type stuff instead of sticking to the game day staples.
First off, if hip hop is your thing – remember you roots. This is The U. If you’re gonna pop the trunk outside the OB and blare an iPod playlist, stick to local or regional artists. Your mix needs to be a Miami themed. Trick Daddy. Rick Ross. Pitbull. Old school 2 Live Crew. Opposing fans can hear Common or T.I. anywhere. Even our Marshall folk in West Virginia.
Smack up some opposing fans with that local flavor and some stuff that reminds ’em it’s a Canes thing. Below are some of my game day faves:
Trick Daddy – “Let’s Go” and “Can’t F**k With The South” are game day musts. Same with “Shut Up”. Any video 1) filmed in the Orange Bowl and 2) featuring a fresh to the NFL Edgerrin James is as big time as it gets. This cut is property of The U. Check the vid.
Pitbull – “Miami S**t” and “Born N Raised” are two musts from this product of the 305. I’ve also noticed that “Ay Chico (Lengua Afuera)” flat out scares our ACC brethren as they’re waking down 16th Avenue.
Rick Ross – “Push It” and “Hustlin” were national hits, but Ross is a product of Miami and both songs are as Dade County as it gets.
J.T. Money – “Who Dat” and “War” are classics. If you’re feeling nostalgic, toss some vintage Poison Clan on there. I threw “Action” on my mix.
2 Live Crew – Anything off of “As Nasty As They Want To Be” and “2 Live Is What We Are” is destined to bring up memories of the Decade of Dominance, while also offending opposing fans. Good times.
Goodie Mob – “Dirty South” – Even though the Mob is from Georgia, this cut can apply to the MIA.
DJ Khaled – “B**ch I’m From Dade County” – Do I even need to explain this one?
Nate Brooks – “Hurricanes That’s Us” – Not the best tune, but it’s a former Cane rapping about the Canes. Judge it by it’s content, not it’s musical value.
No Good – “Ballin Boys (Canes Mix)” – The Miami-themed version of this song hit just before the Canes headed to Pasadena for the 2002 Rose Bowl. A classic.
Regarding bringing some rock and roll to the mix, I advise you to stay away from the cliche and played out stuff. Case in point, “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. Any tune used in a high school football movie (Varsity Blues) can no longer be taken serious on game day for the Canes. Same to be said for “Enter Sandman” by Metallica. Great cut, but Virginia Tech made it theirs so this one can no longer be played within 10 miles from the OB.
You get the point. Here are some choice rock cuts to throw into the mix:
Guns N Roses – “Welcome To The Jungle” – Mildly played out, but ‘welcome to the jungle’ fits with the Banana Republic feel down south when opposing fans enter Little Havana.
Filter – “Hey Man, Nice Shot” – Great build up. In your face. Great for night games. Play at dusk. Another one which scares people.
Scorpions – “Rock You Like a Hurricane” – Played out? Sure. But it has ‘hurricane’ in the title and was released in 1983, the year of Miami’s first national championship. This tune isn’t ever leaving the master list.
Metallica – “For Whom The Bell Tolls” – Vintage Metallica. Great tune. Makes you want to run through a wall. Even non-metal heads now get this one after Miami fan 31SpoonerStreet used it in his nine minute highlight reel on YouTube. Check it at the 3:50 mark. This tune sends chills up the spine.
Phil Collins – “In The Air Tonight” – Ray Lewis made this song his back in the mid-nineties and it’s vintage Miami Vice era. Nothing better than hearing this one through the ratty OB speakers for a night game while the teams are warming up.
I also recommend people get online and download some audio clips. In my mix I’ve included Michael Irvin’s speech from 2005, Santana Moss‘ “big time players” post-game speech from the 2000 win over Florida State, etc.
Toss in some Band of the Hour stuff like the University of Miami Fight Song and you have the ultimate Hurricanes-themed game day mix for tomorrow.
.:Canes305:.