A good playlist at the bar is important. A great playlist during pregame is critical, because let’s face it, pregame is more fun than going out itself nine times of ten.

Hate it or love it, here are some throwback jams to start your evening:

“OPP” by Naughty by Nature

Yeah, you know me!

Other people’s property? Sure… that’s what it means. Whether you know any of the actual lyrics or not, you can’t not scream the chorus.

“Shoop” by Salt N Pepa.

Ummm you’re packed and you’re stacked, ’specially from the back / Brotha wanna thank ya motha for a butt like that…

I can’t not be happy when I hear this song. I also have it memorized and spontaneously start rapping when it comes on. My friends have learned to embrace it.

“Mo Money, Mo Problems” by the Notorious B.I.G., featuring Puff Daddy (before he was Diddy and making bands) and Ma$e.

It’s like the mo’ money we come across, the mo’ problems we see…

Seventh grade dances, anyone? Come onnnn you know you love it.

“I Wish” by Skee Lo

I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller…

Skee Lo was probably five four and had no game, but someone found it amusing to give him a rap deal and brighten all of our lives back when MTV played videos.

“Nothin But A G Thang” by Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.

One, two, three and to tha fo’…

If Snoop and Dr. Dre were at my door, I could die happy. As it is, I have to settle for their soundtrack. You may also consider “Gin and Juice,” if you’re feeling laaaaaid back, with your mind on your money and your money on your mind.

“Rump Shaker” by Wrecks N Effect

I like the way ya comb your hair, uh /
I like the stylish clothes ya wear, uh…

Alright, we all wanna zooma-zoom-zoom-zoom and a boom-boom…. The terrible lyrics suck you in.

“Make Em Say UHHHH” by Master P

UHHHH, na-NA-na-NA, na-NA-na-NA

He’s not talented, but you want to say “uhhhh” right along with him.

“E.I.” by Nelly

Oh ohhhh, what’s poppin tonight?

First of all, the entire Country Grammar album should be on your pregame playlist. But I’m going to assume you knew that.

“Can I Get A…” by Jay Z, featuring Ja Rule (where did he go??) and that one chick

…or even worse, if I was broke, would ya want me?

We all loved Rush Hour, and we all bought the soundtrack and listened to it religiously. Own it.

“Roll Out” by Ludacris

Now where’d you get that platinum chain with them diaaaaaaamonds in it?

It’s a tossup between this and “Fantasy,” but this is just so fun …

“Feel So Good” by Ma$e

Bad, bad, bad, bad boy, ya make me feel so goooood…

Yes, he’s getting a lot of play on this list, but it’s only because he disappeared. It’s too bad he became a preacher. Revisit his glory days, you know, before “Breathe, Stretch, Shake.”

So these are some of my favorite essentials. Make yourself a mix and start your evening off right!