Grand Entrance Songs: Hip-Hop Edition

Your Grand Entrance song is a big deal. It's THE song that lets everyone know that you're about to come in the room and get the party started, and it's the first song that gets people on their feet, sets the vibe, and starts the night off.

With so many songs to pick from to match your taste and style, here are a few of our favorite hip-hop songs to kick the night off right! Playlist brought to you by Los Angeles-based DJ, DJ BSHAW:

1. Good Life - Kanye West, T-Pain

2. Bring Em Out - T.I.

3. Party Up - DMX

4. HUMBLE. - Kendrick Lamar

5. Whoomp! - Tag Team

6. Feel So Good - Mase

For more Downbeat music recommendations, follow us on Spotify or check out our other playlists on our blog! 

Playlist: Wedding Cocktail Hour Favorites

Music is an integral part of every wedding day! As entertainment specialists, we always have songs ready when couples ask for suggestions on important music moments for the big day, like the first dance, parent dances, ceremony recessionals and more, but one of the most important wedding playlists you need is for the cocktail hour!

A mix of styles is key to keeping the mood light and happy while guests are mingling and enjoying drinks and hors d'oeuvres. The Downbeat music team has compiled a list of songs you can find by following the Cocktail Hour Favorites playlist on Spotify, or you can check out the songs below in a range of categories, including Contemporary, Motown/Soul, Country, Classic, Reggae and more.

Follow our special Motown/Oldies Cocktail Hour playlist here!

Playlist: Parent Dance Song Favorites

An important moment for any traditional wedding reception is when the parents of the couple are honored and celebrated during the parent dances. Whether these are both done during one song or two separate songs, it's important to choose music with meaningful lyrics and melodies. 

The most requested parent dance song from Downbeat’s wedding season was “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra. Here are some other popular picks:

Top 3 Mother Son Dance Songs from Downbeat weddings:

1. In My Life by The Beatles

2. Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler

3. Forever Young by Rod Stewart

Top 3 Father Daughter Dance Songs from Downbeat weddings:

1. Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder

2. My Girl by The Temptations

3. My Wish by Rascal Flatts

Listen to Downbeat’s "Parent Dance Favorites" playlist on Spotify for more parent dance song favorites and inspiration for your big day! The most important thing to remember when making music selections is finding songs that are meaningful to you and yours!

Playlist: Wedding Cocktail Hour Favorites - Oldies Edition

You’ve just say your “I Do’s” and now it’s time for you and your guests to mingle and sip drinks: cue the cocktail hour playlist! Typically, music during this part of the celebration includes a wide range of genres and isn’t too upbeat in order for guests to be able to converse (and refrain from dancing until after dinner).

Downbeat entertainment specialists are always getting requests for oldies and Motown music to be a part of wedding celebrations, so the team decided to curate a cocktail hour playlist specifically for this genre!

Here are the top three song requests:

1. Lovely Day - Bill Withers

2. Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison

3. You Make My Dreams - Daryl Hall & John Oates

See more in our playlist:

A playlist featuring Bill Withers, Van Morrison, Daryl Hall & John Oates, and others

Listen to the “Wedding Cocktail Hour Oldies” playlist. Also, if you aren’t already following Downbeat on Spotify for access to new and always-improved wedding music playlists, what are you waiting for? Click here now, thank us later.

Playlist: 90's Pop/Hip-Hop Favorites

Everyone loves a throwback! Downbeat’'s newest featured playlist on Spotify has all of your favorite pop and hip-hop hits from the 90's. Listen on your Spotify app, or check it out below:

90'S POP/HIP-HOP FAVORITES

1. Waterfalls - TLC

2. Doo Wop (That Thing) - Ms. Lauryn Hill

3. I Want It That Way - Backstreet Boys

Listen to hear more songs!

Playlist: Disco Favorites

Music from the disco era is always a hit at parties! Songs that became popular in the 1970's would fill the dance floor thanks to their funk and soul influences, synthesizer-driven melodies and heavy, rhythmic beats. 

Find all of the hits on Downbeat's "Disco Favorites" playlist on Spotify, and listen below: 

DISCO FAVORITES

1. Best of My Love - The Emotions

2. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees

3. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

Listen to hear more!

Playlist: Top Big Band Songs

"Top Big Band Songs" playlist on Spotify. 

TOP BIG BAND SONGS:

1. L-O-V-E - Nat King Cole

2. You Make Me Feel So Young - Michael Bublé

3. Ain't That A Kick In The Head - Dean Martin

Listen to hear more!

Playlist: Jazz Classics

Jazz music is perfect for setting an relaxed and romantic tone. Whether it's for a wedding cocktail hour, or a dinner set list, we put together some favorites in our newest "Jazz Classics" playlist on Spotify:

JAZZ CLASSICS:

1. So What - Miles Davis

2. Cantaloupe Island - Herbie Hancock

3. Summertime - Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald

Listen to hear more!

Playlist: Top Reggae Hits

Reggae is one of our favorite genres of music to listen to and perform! Our latest featured playlist on Spotify is "Top Reggae Hits", and it’s the perfect collection of songs to listen and relax to:  

TOP REGGAE HITS:

1. One Day - Matisyahu

2. Three Little Birds - Bob Marley & The Wailers

3. I Can See Clearly Now - Jimmy Cliff

4. One Love - Bob Marley & The Wailers

5. Red Red Wine - UB40

6. Welcome To Jamrock - Damian Marley

7. Sunshine - Matisyahu

8. Pressure Drop - Toots & The Maytals

9. Beautiful - Damian Marley, Bobby Brown

10. Many Rivers To Cross - Jimmy Cliff

11. Waiting In Vain - Bob Marley & The Wailers

12. I Shot The Sheriff - The Wailers

13. Could You Be Loved - Bob Marley & The Wailers

14. Israelites - Desmond Dekker

15. Get Up, Stand Up - The Wailers

16. The Harder They Come - Jimmy Cliff

17. Jamming - Bob Marley & The Wailers

18. Kingston Town - UB40

19. Buffalo Soldier - Bob Marley & The Wailers

20. Baby, I Love Your Way - Big Mountain, Tom Lord-Alge

21. No Woman No Cry - Bob Marley & The Wailers

22. Pesta Pantai - Tony Q Rastafara

Playlist: Latin Favorites

Downbeat artists and DJ’s perform a wide range of music genres to suit every taste and style, including Latin music! To liven up any party, check out our latest "Latin Favorites" playlist on Spotify:

LATIN FAVORITES:

1. Suavamente - Elvis Crespo

2. Suavecito - Malo

3. Bailando - Enrique Iglesias, Descemer Bueno

Listen to hear more!

Playlist: Wedding Grand Entrance Favorites

Wedding days are made up of so many memorable moments, and the bride and groom’s grand entrance to the reception is one of them! It’s traditional for the entire bridal party to be announced, and your band or DJ should be prepared with music to accompany them as they enter. Downbeat put together a "Wedding Grand Entrance Favorites" playlist on Spotify, listen below:

WEDDING GRAND ENTRANCE FAVORITES:

1. Feel It Still - Portugal The Man

2. Glorious - Macklemore Skylar Grey

3. Mi Gente - J Balvin, Willy William

Listen to hear more!

Top Wedding Recessional Songs (Playlist)

The processional walk down the aisle may be one of the most anticipated moments for a couple on their wedding day, but it’s important not to overlook the significance of the recessional as well! After the “I Do’s”, make your first walk down the aisle together as newlyweds count by choosing a celebratory song to accompany you.

We’ve put together some favorites in our "Top Wedding Recessional Songs" playlist on Spotify, listen below:

TOP WEDDING RECESSIONAL SONGS:

1. Rather Be - Clean Bandit, Jess Glynne

2. Firework - Katy Perry

3. Best of My Love - The Emotions

4. Marry You - Bruno Mars

5. All You Need Is Love - The Beatles

6. Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars

7. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) - Stevie Wonder

8. You Make My Dreams - Daryl Hall & John Oates

9. Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

10. Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves

11. Valerie - Mark Ronson, Amy Winehouse

12. Love Never Felt so Good - Michael Jackson, Justin Timerlake

13. Take On Me - a-ha

14. Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

15. Don't Stop Me Now - Queen

16. Celebration - Kool & The Gang

17. I'm So Excited - The Pointer Sisters

18. Dancing in the Moonlight - Toploader

19. Hey Ya! - OutKast

20. Happy - Pharrell Williams

Modern Wedding Processional Songs (Playlist)

The wedding processional is a very special moment during the big day ceremony. Traditionally accompanied by an organ or string quartet playing classical songs, the music selection during this part of the ceremony helps amplify the moment’s significance.

It’s fun to think outside of the box and choose songs that are important to you, even if they break away from tradition. Follow Downbeat LA’s "Modern Wedding Processional Songs" playlist on Spotify for unique picks or listen below to find your best soundtrack for walking down the aisle:

MODERN WEDDING PROCESSIONAL SONGS

1. Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova

2. Your Hand In Mine - Explosions in The Sky

3. River - Leon Bridges

4. Sparks - Coldplay

5. Till Forever - Joy Williams

6. Wild Horses - The Sundays

7. How Long Will I Love You - Ellie Goulding

8. Skinny Love - Birdy

9. You and I - Ingrid Michaelson

10. What Kind of Love - Childish Gambino

11. I Know Places - Lykke Li

12. Sweet Creature - Harry Styles

13. Latch (Acoustic) - Sam SMith

14. Wanted - Hunter Hayes

15. I Choose You - Sara Bareilles

16. I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz

17. With You - Waxahatchee

18. A Thousand Years - Christina Perri

19. All of Me - John Legend

20. Make You Feel My Love - Adele

21. Marry Me - Train

22. Can't Help Falling In Love - Haley Reinhart

23. Why I Love You - MAJOR.

24. She Is Love - Parachute

25. Sajna - A.R. Rahman

Wedding Ceremony Instrumentals Playlist

It's important to create a welcoming atmosphere as guests arrive to your wedding ceremony. The perfect way to set the tone while everyone is greeting one another and taking their seats is to have live or prerecorded instrumentals playing in the background. Whether it's classical music or string arrangements of contemporary songs, you can't go wrong!

Our "Wedding Ceremony Instrumentals" playlist is ready to accompany any wedding ceremony. Take a listen below and be sure to follow Downbeat on Spotify for more wedding day music inspiration: 

Wedding First Dance Favorites Playlist

Weddings are full of important moments that should all be unforgettable, and one of our favorites is the couple's first dance! Music contributes a great deal to this memorable moment, and the song should be a meaningful reflection of who you are as a couple! 

Whether it's a modern hit, a classic favorite or a personal song that is special to just the two of you, the selection process should be a fun one! Downbeat put together a versatile collection of songs in its "First Dance Favorites" playlist on Spotify suitable for everyone's taste, check it out below and be sure to follow us on Spotify for more music recommendations for the big day! 

WEDDING FIRST DANCE FAVORITES: 

1. Say You Won't Let Go - James Arthur

2. Remedy - Adele

3. I Was Made For Loving You - Tori Kelly, Ed Sheeran

4. The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson

5. Like I'm Gonna Lose You - Meghan Trainor, John Legend

See more on our Spotify page!

80's Party Hits Playlist

There's something about 80's music that always puts us in a great mood! This era of music was fueled by infectious dance-pop hits that are still widely popular and requested today! Downbeat put together a playlist of epic 80's Party Hits on Spotify you can follow and listen to anytime you're in the mood to travel back in time. Check out our song picks below, did your favorites make the cut?

80's PARTY HITS PLAYLIST

1. Super Freak - Rick James

2. Girls Just Want To Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper

3. Rock The Casbah - The Clash

4. Karma Chameleon - Culture Club

5. Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley

Take a listen and be sure to follow Downbeat on Spotify for more wedding day music inspiration!

Holiday Pop Favorites

Our favorite artists have released some incredible holiday songs and albums this season, including Sia, Gwen Stefani, Pentatonix, Kelly Clarkson, Ellie Goulding, Fifth Harmony and more! We put them all in one place for you to enjoy during your holiday travels and celebrations this year! Listen to our Holiday Pop Favorites playlist on Spotify

Here's some of our favorite videos: 

Cocktail Hour Favorites

We get it! Creating a list of songs for your guests can be very difficult but that's why we're here. To ensure a seamless transition from ceremony to your cocktail hour, we've curated a list to get your guests excited for what's to come!  

1. Better Together - Us The Duo

2. Let Me Love You - Fitz and Tantrums 

3. I Believe In A Thing Called Love - Branches

4. Havana (Acoustic) - Matt Johnson

5. What's Going On (Recorded at Spotify Studios NYC) - John Legend

Be sure to follow Downbeat on Spotify for more wedding and special event playlist needs by clicking here. 

Parent Dance Favorites

When it comes to wedding planning, there are a million decisions that have to be made leading up to the big day! Special moments require special attention, which is why we've put in the work so you don't have to in deciding your music choices! 

If you're planning on going the traditional route and having a Mother/Son and Father/Daughter dance during your reception, we've compiled a list of classics and newer favorites to ensure these moments with your parents are perfect! Here is our list of Parent Dance Favorites for Fall 2017: 

1. John Legend, Cynthia Erivo - God Only Knows

2. Rod Stewart - Forever Young

3. James Taylor - How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

4. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes - Home

5. Jason Mraz - 93 Million Miles

6. Tom Petty - Wildflowers

7. Ray Charles - Ain't That Love

8. Amos Lea - Sweet Pea

9. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Over The Rainbow

10. Rascal Flatts - My Wish

11. Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World

12. Lee Ann Womack - I Hope You Dance

Be sure to follow Downbeat on Spotify for more wedding and special event playlist needs by clicking here.

Wedding Reception Must-Have Music Moments

Downbeat has years of experience providing its wedding clients with unforgettable celebrations filled with great music and entertainment. While we strive to create custom playlists and unique selections of songs special to each and every couple we work with, there are five must-have music moments that every wedding needs: 

GRAND ENTRANCE: Keep it upbeat to get everyone ready and excited for the celebration!

FIRST DANCE: Find something romantic and meaningful to you as a couple. 

DINNER MUSIC: Guests will want to enjoy great meals and conversation, keep it soft and light. 

DANCE MUSIC: Make sure your band or DJ can keep the party going with upbeat favorites. 

LAST SONG: Whether it's a slow sing-along or a party hit, make it unforgettable!  

For entertainment booking inquiries and music consultation for your next event, click here.