Dale Talde's Favorite Playlist 2014

With Thanksgiving looming, we're in full-on prep mode, putting the finishing touches on our grocery lists and checking them twice. But when it comes time to actually start cooking, it's a marathon, not a sprint, so we need a sound track that will keep us energized for hours on end.

That's where Dale Talde, chef/owner of Talde and Pork Slope in Brooklyn and the forthcoming Talde and Carrino Provisions in Jersey City, New Jersey, steps in. "I'm a firm believer that cooking is like a dance, and building rhythm helps your choreography," he says. His ultra-fun playlist, stocked with old-school hip-hop and classic rap, is up-tempo enough to keep you cooking long into the night.

① "Poison," by Bell Biv DeVoe
"Do I even need to explain this one? It gets things going. Start here."

② "Dem Don't Worry We," by Super Cat & Heavy D
"This is just a fun beat. Nobody knows what he's saying."

③ "Miss You," by Aaliyah
"It's Aaliyah. She's the best. She's the queen. This is one of my favorite songs of all time."

④ "Empire State of Mind," by Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys
"This is the new-school version of Frank Sinatra's 'New York, New York.'"

⑤ "Rolling in the Deep," by Adele
"Sometimes, she just knows. This girl can seriously sing."

⑥ "King of the Dancehall," by Beenie Man
"It's a happy, upbeat song that gets us moving."

RELATED   Make the Perfect Dinner Party Playlist "

⑦ "Ms. Fat Booty," by Mos Def
"It reminds me of my high school days and never fails to put me in a good mood."

⑧ "I Used to Love H.E.R.," by Common
"One of my favorite hip hop songs ever."

⑨ "Never Gonna Give You Up," by Rick Astley
"'Cause I'm never... never gonna give you up!' I love this song and the extent he is willing to go not to lose her."

⑩ "Stronger," by Kanye West
"This is my hype song to play right before service when we're hustling to get out the door."

Listen on Spotify.