By Ethan West
September 16, 2024
Photo Credit: USATSI
Stretching, hydrating, and fueling up are key parts of a pre-game routine, but the most overlooked step is preparing your mental game. The right warm-up playlist can boost your focus, energy, and performance. Whether it's game day or training, here's how to create a playlist that gets you moving and ready to compete.
A warm-up playlist is like a recipe, with different ingredients coming together to create the right mindset for the big moment when the clock starts. While I can simply suggest artists, I'd rather leave that choice to you, instead, I'll share my secret recipe for curating the ultimate warm-up playlist.
My first ingredient for a good playlist would include some motivational tracks with strong lyrics that ignite a ‘you vs. the world' mindset, setting the tone for dominating your opponent. Look for songs that elevate your mood and make you feel unstoppable, like you can break through any barrier. I recommend tracks like J. Cole's “h u n g e r . o n . h i l l s i d e” and Tyler, The Creator's “RUNITUP”—both give me the feeling that no challenge is too big to overcome.
I'm a firm believer in the power of songs with horns—there's something about brass instruments that creates the perfect battle anthem for game day. The sound of the horns feels like a rallying cry, much like the pep band cheering you on, fueling that familiar sense of adrenaline before the big match. My personal favorites are “Word on the Streets” by Key Glock and “Came and Saw” by Young Thug.
By now, you've probably noticed my pattern—I'm a big believer that rap and hip-hop are top tier choices for warm-up playlists. However, I wouldn't rule out other genres. I tend to like to mix in different genres to help calm my pre-game nerves and keep my head balanced. Comfort music is subjective, but I generally gravitate toward jazz or singer-songwriter genres. Feel free to choose the comfort music that resonates with you for your playlist.
Finally, to gear up for the big moment, choose a song with a powerful build-up and an energizing drop. The whole point of a warm-up playlist is to get you anticipated for the game and ready to go out there and get a W in the left-hand column. Pick some tracks that truly fire you up and put you in the right mindset to succeed. Some recommendations of mine include “RaRa” by Travis Scott and Lil Uzi Vert, “m.A.A.d city” by Kendrick Lamar, and “Backend” by Don Toliver.
Hopefully I've inspired you to craft your next warm-up playlist. Feel free to add your own unique twists to the playlist and, most importantly, create something that keeps you excited and motivated. While this may not guarantee you're the best athlete in the game, it will certainly make you the top pick for aux cord privileges, so take pride in curating your playlist and contributing to your team's success in your own way.
