Beat Match City

Speed: 88 bpm Recommended bpm range: 85 bpm to 90 bpm The DJ's Take: Who knew a rapper could sing a cover of a country song, let alone have it turn into a hit? I feel like this would play a little better below the Mason-Dixon line, but there's enough hiphop flavor for a traditional pop night. Try mixing or mashing up with tracks like Real Friends - Kanye West , Down and Out - Cam'ron , and We Go Down - Krewella . Download the song: iTunes Amazon

Speed: 80 bpm Recommended bpm range: 75 bpm to 80 bpm , 80 bpm to 85 bpm The DJ's Take: The shimmery intro makes you think of 311 , and the light drop sort of sounds like a sped-up, higher-register She Knows with the fake horns. Is it a hit? Who knows; I didn't expect Roses to blow up like it did. Anyway, worth a spot in the new music playlist. If you're staying key-compatible, try mixing or making a mashup with tracks like Heart Attack - Trey Songz and Strange Clouds - B.o.B ft. Lil Wayne . Download the song: iTunes Amazon

Speed: 55 bpm Recommended bpm range: 50 bpm to 55 bpm , 55 bpm to 60 bpm The DJ's Take: That beat sounds like the overworld theme music for an old school role-playing game. Makes you feel as though you're on a long journey. For that reason, I don't see it being a banger, but worth a spin for the new music portion of a hiphop-oriented mix. If you need to pick up the pace and stay key-compatible, try half-timing into tracks like:

Speed: 65.5 bpm Recommended bpm range: 60 bpm to 65 bpm , 65 bpm to 70 bpm The DJ's Take: How did I miss this one? Just heard it for the first time a few minutes ago, and involuntary head-nodding ensued. That beat is smooth like my after-dinner glass of Jameson. Try mixing or mashing up with key-compatible tracks like:

Speed: 79 bpm Recommended bpm range: 80 bpm to 85 bpm The DJ's Take: This sounds like the background music for an alien invasion of Earth, with those fake violins adding some exaggerated drama. Fair to say this'll play best at hiphop clubs in the Atlanta area, although it's worth a try in any urban environment. If you're staying key-compatible, try mixing or making a mashup with tracks like:

Speed: 63 bpm Recommended bpm range: 60 bpm to 65 bpm The DJ's Take: We covered this a couple days ago in the newsletter , and it looks like it'll be a chart-topper for a little while longer. And a good chunk of One Direction's fan base has to be in their early 20s, which is a key part of a dj's demographic, right? Anyway, worth a download if you spin for a college crowd. Try half-timing into key-compatible tracks like: Waiting - Oliver Heldens & Throttle More Than Ever - Breathe Carolina & Ryos Something New - Axwell ^ Ingrosso Birthday - Katy Perry Play Hard - David Guetta Sweet Nothing - Calvin Harris Super Bass - Nicki Minaj Download or stream the song: Spotify playlist (songs with similar key & bpm) iTunes Amazon

Speed: 60 bpm Recommended bpm range: 55 bpm to 60 bpm , 60 bpm to 65 bpm The DJ's Take: This feels like a bit of a throwback to 10-15 years ago, when we saw more end-of-the-night R&B on the charts. Personally, I'd consider winding an evening down with this, then maybe throw on Candyman's Knockin' Boots as a bonus right afterward ( click here for the iTunes download). If you're looking to do a key-compatible mashup, I'd go with Bad Intentions - Niykee Heaton ft. Migos , waves - Miguel ft. Travis Scott , and White Walls - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (or drop down to 56-57 bpm and get into Say It - Tory Lanez ). If you've still got time to fill and the energy needs to go back up, try half-timing into tracks like Under Pressure - Queen & David Bowie , Ice Ice Baby - Vanilla Ice , and Wasted - Tiesto . Download or stream the song: Spotify playlist (songs with similar key & bpm) iTunes Amazon