Ashley Dean: Back to school, back to work

Three days ago, I was watching the sun set while surfing Mission Beach.

Five days ago, I was at a music fest in L.A.

A week ago, I was on vacation in my headphones with the zen, warm-weather sounds of Washed Out.

But not only is my real California vacation over, so is summer and all the mini vacations and beachy music that comes with it. Students, I know you feel me. Getting back to class is a pretty big bummer, even when the return to academia is prefaced with partying. Maybe I'm projecting my own existential angst, but I think a good chunk of the People's Republic is suffering from fluorescent lighting-induced depression.

Sitting in such an environment, not wearing a bathing suit and actually wearing shoes, I was daydreaming about sipping my In 'N' Out shake, driving to La Jolla and listening to Snoop and Dre. This lead me to the cure for all this angst: West Coast hip hop.

It started with a return to the song from my memory — "Nuthin But a G Thang" — and I was falling fast down the YouTube rabbit hole. Tupac, Ice Cube, Coolio, then I suddenly found myself on Wu Tang and (who knows how) Black Street. When it comes down to it, I have to go East Coast, except to scratch this particular post-beach vacation itch. The East Coast diversion was good, but off-theme and not the right vibe.

So, here is my cliched, mostly old school West Coast hip-hop playlist to ease those post-vacation blues. It's comfort food for you ears (animal style, with a chocolate milkshake).

"Nuthin' but a G Thang" - Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg

"It Was A Good Day" - Ice Cube

"California Love" - 2Pac feat. Dr. Dre

"Mastermind" - Del the Funky Homosapien

"Quality Control" - Jurassic 5

"Real Muthaphukkin G's" - Eazy-E

"Gin and Juice" - Snoop Dogg

"Gangster's Paradise" - Coolio

"The Recipe" - Kendrick Lamar feat. Dr. Dre

"To Live and Die in L.A." - 2Pac

Contact Ashley Dean at 303-473-1109 or dean@coloradodaily.com.