Lyrics Born

The half-American, half-Japanese, fully Bay Area alliterative anomaly Lyrics Born recently dropped his best yet, As You Were; the Francis & the Lights ditty warmed our rap-loving loins. Here are the emcee's five favorite wintertime listens.

5. Eminem's Discorgraphy

His shit is so gritty, cold, and vivid. I always picture him out there Eight Mile-style — writing outdoors with fingerless gloves, a beanie, and steam coming out his nose.

4. Gil Scott-Heron — "Winter in America"

This song is heavy, baby. I first heard this song as a young, angry, full-of-rage record collector in college. Play this on an ugly, overcast day in January and you'll get the full meaning.

3. A Tribe Called Quest — "(We've Got) the Jazz"

As a California kid watching this video, I just remember thinking to myself, "Damn, these dudes is freezing they asses off making this video. Hats with earflaps and shit."

2.Teena Marie — "Portuguese Love"

RIP Lady T! Even though she's talking about hot-ass Portugal, this song'll make you want to curl up in front of a fireplace with a Mike's hard hot toddy.

1. Prince — "Take Me With U"

Those strings have a reindeer, prancing through the snow kinda feeling. Shit makes me want to make Asian snow-angels.

Lyrics Born hits Magic Stick on Sunday, Jan. 30. See majesticdetroit.com.

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