Tonight, on the first Monday in May, some of the brightest stars from the worlds of fashion and culture (and much more besides) will be walking the red carpet for the 2025 Met Gala. But what will they be listening to while getting ready? Thankfully, we have just the solution.
Inspired by the theme of this year’s exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” which examines the rich history and legacy of Black style—with a particular focus on dandies from across the centuries—we asked 12 friends of Vogue to recommend the perfect soundtrack to a big night out ahead.
From Miles Davis to Rihanna, here (and on Spotify) find the ultimate getting-ready mixtape for the 2025 Met Gala.
“Joromi,” Victor Uwaifo
Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche
“There is no genre more quintessentially West African than High Life; this song is a pioneer classic and I love its indulgently nostalgic beauty.”
Kind of Blue, Miles Davis
Dapper Dan
“The entire Kind of Blue album by Miles Davis. It is the all time greatest jazz record. It’s not only the music, but Davis himself. He’s always translating sound, and while the concept of dandyism never changes, the way it’s translated does.”
“Back On 74,” Jungle
Edvin Thompson, Theophilio
“It captures a sense of revival and confidence stepping into your power with rhythm, grace, and unapologetic flair. The energy feels perfectly in sync with the bold spirit of the Met.”
“Movement 1,” Pharoah Sanders, Floating Points, and the London Symphony Orchestra
Rachel Scott, Diotima
“Drawn from the body of Sanders’ final work, it feels at once historical and modern, powerful yet tender. Its nuance and complexity, to me, embody the elegance of the Dandy”
“L.O.V.E.,” Nat King Cole; “Do U Lie,” Prince; “My Jamaican Guy,” Grace Jones; “Mas, Que Nada!” Jorge Ben Jor
Regina King
“Songs that I feel evoke the dandy vibe include: ‘L.O.V.E.’ by Nat King Cole, ‘Do U Lie’ by Prince (and pretty much the entire Parade album), ‘My Jamaican Guy’ by Grace Jones, and ‘Mas Que Nada’ by Jorge Ben Jor.”
“Three Piece Suit and Thing,” Trinity
Nicholas Daley
“My chosen song has to be ‘Three Piece Suit’ by Trinity, released in 1975. My parents played this record in the 1970s when they ran one of Scotland’s earliest reggae club nights. It is such an anthem and the way the lyrics describe each part of the look, details and the attitude behind looking sharp. The LP album cover artwork is also so iconic and has been an inspiration within my collections. My grandfather was part of the Windrush generation and had such a sharp tailored style with his trilby hat, so this song is a dedication to him!”
“Mr Bojangles,” Sammy Davis Jr.
IB Kamara
“Sammy, for me, was a Black dandy, within the tradition of dandyism that includes heroes of mine such as Miles Davis, Sam Cooke, and Louis Armstrong, among so many others.”
“Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You),” UGK (Underground Kingz)
Torishéju Dumi
“This song just makes me feel so alive, present and hopeful. It just makes me so happy.”
“Bitch Better Have My Money,” Rihanna
Erdem Moralıoğlu
“Rihanna, dressed in tailored trousers—not a gown—stomping on the main table of the 2015 Met Gala singing ‘Bitch Better Have My Money’ felt rebellious and bold. And in the trousers, very much ‘tailored for you.’”
“Young Forever,” Jay-Z & Mr. Hudson
Dynasty Ogun, L’Enchanteur
“Creating legacy that surpasses lifetimes. Remaining present throughout time and space.”
“Good Thoughts Bad Thoughts,” Funkadelic
Soull Ogun, L’Enchanteur
“It feels like a mantra, a practice that realigns my thinking and the way we can view the world with a deeper and birds eye’s lens simultaneously.”
