Six musical stars reveal what they listen to while scheming, dreaming, and streaming.

WALE

This fall, the hip-hop star follows up his collaboration with Jerry Seinfeld (The Album About Nothing) with his fifth studio album, Shine.

“I’m Your Baby Tonight” —Whitney Houston
“One of the best songs from one of the—if not the—greatest female singers of all time.”

“Pretty Brown Eyes” —Mint Condition
“I play this record at every party I D.J.”

“P.Y.T.” —Michael Jackson
“The greatest was at his best when he did upbeat-tempo, feel-good music.”

“Virtual Insanity” —Jamiroquai
“1990s babies need to revisit this to understand just how groundbreaking it really was.”

“Cashmere Thoughts” —Jay Z
“This is when Hov was talking that talk. His wordplay on this song is still better than most songs today.”

BETH DITTO

The fashion muse and punk icon releases her debut solo album this year.

“Graceland” —Paul Simon
“Does anyone write better lyrics?”

“Just Let Go” —Sturgill Simpson
“Wonderful modern country crooning.”

“Ultralight Beam” —Kanye West
“Kirk Franklin’s parts are so gorgeous, the song feels hopeful.”

“Spirit in the Sky” —Norman Greenbaum
“A song a nine-year-old would jam to. So good.”

“Moonage Daydream” —David Bowie
“I’m an alligator.”

“You Can’t Blame the Youth” —Peter Tosh
“Such heavy lyrics.”

SETH AVETT

The Avett Brothers’ latest Rick Rubin-produced album is True Sadness.

“Meticulous Bird” —Thao & The Get Down Stay Down
“Lyrically fierce and bursting with personality.”

“The Vampyre of Time and Memory” —Queens of the Stone Age
“A band well known for dark humor; this song is unique for its unabashed foray into the beautifully melodic.”

“Get By” —Talib Kweli
“If I want to feel strong in my heart, mind, or soul, I listen to this song. It has a centering effect on me like a good sermon.”

“Take It with Me” —Tom Waits
“Achingly lovely throughout.”

DUA LIPA

The 20-year-old British singer releases her self-titled debut album this year.

“No Problem” —Chance the Rapper
“I’ve been a fan since his Acid Rap album.”

“Man” —Skepta
“I really enjoyed this from a fellow Londoner.”

“Too Good” —Drake and Rihanna
“You gotta love the Drake and Rihanna collabs!”

“30 Hours” —Kanye West
“I love it like Kanye loves Kanye!”

“Down in the DM” —Yo Gotti
“My Uber driver was blasting this out when I was in L.A.—I had to know what it was.”

NORAH JONES

The multi-Grammy winner returns to her jazz roots this fall with a new album, Day Breaks.

“Compared to What” —Les McCann & Eddie Harris
“Such great playing. The lyrics are still relevant today.”

“I Love You” —John Coltrane
“Another old favorite of mine.”

“Fleurette Africaine” —Duke Ellington
“I just recorded a cover of it, but you can’t beat Duke, Charles Mingus, and Max Roach.”

“Time Won’t Wait” —M. Ward
“I have always been a huge fan; I love his voice and the harmonies.”

“19” —Acetone
“The guitar playing is amazing, and the drummer has a killer groove.”

COMMON

The Oscar and Grammy winner releases his 11th studio album next month.

“A Love Supreme, Pt. 1” —John Coltrane
“The song is so divine and open and full of love.”

“Africa” —D’Angelo
“It makes me think of the motherland and how beautiful that continent must be.”

“The Bird” —Anderson .Paak
“I love when songs allow my mind to float.”

“Sound & Color” —Alabama Shakes
“I love playing that song when I’m getting dressed for a big event or when I need to get my mind off of things.”

“As” —Stevie Wonder
“This song brings joy.”