Insecure was a hit from its very first episode. As the series comes to a close, although we hate to see it go, we remember everything we enjoyed about it. The show’s audience has watch parties, group chat discussions, and harasses the cast when their characters become a bit too believable. We see ourselves, our lingo, our issues, and our relationships reflected on screen. Each episode has so much culture subtly woven into it. From books, designers, artwork, and most notably – music. Watching Season 5 knowing it is the last will be hard, but let’s have a round of applause for the soundtrack.
Songs, Okay?!
The music team at Insecure definitely knows what they are doing. Series creator and star, Issa Rae treats the music selection as an aspect equal to styling or cinematography. This is a choice that has served Issa well, especially with the recent creation of Issa’s audio label, Raedio. Her love for music runs deep. This is evident in her namesake character, Issa Dee’s frequent raps, the overall writing, and music-centric theme of the show.
They are so clever about integrating music into the show; one season they are sneaking Drake lyrics into the script, Frank Ocean the next. We gravitate towards Insecure because of these small details. It feels like other TV shows are not as meticulous. So, as a parting gift to cushion the blow of the final season, HBO teamed up with Spotify to release the Insecure Soundtrack – all the songs they have played as well as the Insecure Interludes that contain music and interviews from the artists featured. They update the playlist every week at the same time as the new episodes airs. The list includes your favorite songs and puts you on to new artists.
Issa is an LA native, and with the show set in California, rising artists from the city often get featured. But, that isn’t the only way the show sources talent. We hear artists like Diana Gordon, Kari Faux, and Moses Sumney to Vince Staples, Rico Nasty, and Giveon. Artists from all over get a chance to have their music played as long as it is good. We always appreciated the choices made to fit the scene’s mood as well as the timing. But from the season two finale, when Daniel Caesar’s “Blessed” played over Lawrence and Issa’s montage of a pretend-perfect future, we were invested. It was the perfect example of scene enhancement, a song getting more recognition, and the audience simply enjoying it all.
We love music, so listening for who’s song plays in the background while Molly is dating, Lawrence is being trifling, or Issa is just figuring it out, adds to the experience. It may be Season ‘Bye-ve’, but the music is forever. Check out the Insecure Soundtrack and Interludes on Spotify!
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