Music is essential to any good party, making Mardi Gras the ultimate celebration. From the New Orleans staples to overplayed float songs; from bounce to brass and rock, here’s your 2016 parade playlist.
Classics:
The Meters- “Mardi Gras Mambo”
The staple of every Mardi Gras season, we all know and love it. The Mambo has been engrained into every Louisianian since birth and never fails to make an appearance at every parade, second line and ball.

Dr. John- “Iko Iko”
Written and released by James “Sugar Boy” Crawford in 1953 and recorded by The Dixie Cups in 1964, the meaning of “Iko Iko” has been debated about for decades. The song is rooted in Mardi Gras’ Indian language, a culture as rich and lasting as the song itself.

Modern:
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis- “Downtown”
The counter to last year’s “Uptown Funk,” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars, it’s predicted “Downtown” will be 2016’s most heard Mardi Gras float song. Four artists make cameos in the catchy pop hit, including Eric Nally for the chorus, which is arguably the best part.

Fetty Wap- “679”
Fetty Wap’s popularity has gained impressive momentum this past year. Each club hit he produces ends up played more than its predecessors. “679” has just the right amount of remixed bass to be the perfect party soundtrack.

Bounce:
Big Freedia- “Booty-Whop”
Known as the “Queen of Bounce,” Big Freedia is bringing the lesser-known genre to the forefront of New Orleans music. Music is just one of her mediums, as “The Queen Diva” also has her own reality TV show, “Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce.”

Katey Red- “Melpomene Block Party”
Another bounce staple which you can expect to echo from the walls of the bars on Bourbon Street.

Jazz:
Preservation Hall Jazz Band- “That’s It”
This group is undeniably the definition of New Orleans jazz. They’re as much a part of Mardi Gras as the city itself.

Rebirth Brass Band- “Do Whatcha Wanna”
Carnival goers won’t arrive to a Super Krewe parade and not hear this song, it’s guaranteed. You’ll have the horn section chorus stuck in your head for the rest of the day.

Rock/Funk:
The Revivalists- “Keep Going”
The Revivalists are a gem amongst the rising number of New Orleans musicians, but they’re not hidden anymore. The band has been receiving widespread attention after releasing their fourth studio album “Men Amongst Mountains.”

Trombone Shorty- “Hurricane Season”
Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews has been building an expansive and solid following for years. With his band “Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue,” he closes out the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on the second Sunday every year. Give him a listen and he’ll earn a permanent spot on your Mardi Gras playlist.