Duke DJ: Summer 2023 Beach Jams

Listen to Working@Duke's curated Spotify playlist of 33 songs for a carefree and relaxing vibe at the beach

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Rashel Eastman at the AfroNation Miami Festival. Photo courtesy of Rashel Eastman.

Nothing puts Rashel Eastman in the mood to go to the beach like listening to Amapiano music.

The subgenre of dance music known as "Amapiano" originated in South Africa in the 2010s. It emerged when artists started blending soulful piano melodies with a distinctive log drum bassline rhythm.

About a year ago, Eastman was introduced to this music by a family member. She finds that this growing music style, influenced by Caribbean sounds, serves as the ideal soundtrack for her summer.

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“When I think about some of those songs, I think about 90 degrees, riding with the top down, and your hair blowing in the wind type of music,” said Eastman, an administrative assistant in Palliative Care who recently enjoyed Amapiano music at the AfroNation Miami Festival. “I just feel free when I listen to Amapiano. You can sing along or rock to it.”

As millions flock to some of North Carolina’s 300 miles of coastline to relax this summer, from Nags Head in the Outer Banks to Wrightsville Beach east of Wilmington, we know Duke colleagues will be among them.

For our Duke DJ: Summer 2023 Beach Jams, Eastman shared some of her favorite Amapiano hits, “Unavailable” by Davido, “Sungba” by Asake featuring Burnaboy and “Mnike,” a song by Tyler ICU.

With a trip planned to Myrtle Beach this summer, Amapiano music will be among the tracks she and her family will enjoy as waves crash on the shore.

If you have plans to unwind with your feet in the sand, or just want to get into a carefree state of mind, listen along to this playlist selected by other Duke colleagues, including Margaret Muir, Leticia Flores, Michael Royster, Sarah Waugh, and Katy Hawley.

Take a listen on our Spotify channel:

Do you have a suggestion for a future Duke DJ? Let us know through our story idea form or write working@duke.edu.

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