If you are a fan of Park and Recreations, there is a chance that you have see Episode 3 of Season 5 entitled How A Bill Becomes A Law. Within that episode, Ben Wyatt and April Ludgate attempt to go on a road trip from Washington D.C. all the way back to Pawnee, Indiana to surprise their significant other, Leslie Knope and Andy Dwyer. However, due to a local presidential motorcade Wyatt and Ludgate end up getting stuck in Wyatt’s car in the parking lot ramps for hours on end. Due to the weather, Wyatt and Ludgate have to stay in the car and crank up the AC which requires the car to be on. While they wait Ludgate is flipping through Wyatt’s collections of CDs to find out that he only has soundtracks to listen to. These include the soundtrack to Pulp Fiction, Singles, and Grosse Pointe Blank. Until Ludgate stumbles upon what is called Benji's Cool Times Summer Jamz Mix and begins to play it. The first song on this mixtape is “Shoop” by Salt-N-Pepa, which if you do not know how the song goes well it goes a little something like this:
"Here I go, here I go, here I go again.
Recommended for you
Girls, what’s my weakness? (Men!)
Ok then, chillin’, chillin’, mindin’ my business.
Yo, Salt, I looked around, I couldn’t believe this. . ."
Giving us a taste of what kind of music Ben Wyatt is a fan of. If you remember when Wyatt was first introduced to the series in Episode 23 of Season 2 entitled The Master Plan, Wyatt came off as a bit of an insensitive jerk who only cared about his job of being a state auditor. It was not until after a while of seeing Leslie Knope essentially be Leslie Knope that Wyatt began to have feelings for Knope and made him and his partner Chris Traeger stay in Pawnee. Overtime, Wyatt became this jerk of an auditor into this likeable character within the show and even further to one of the most lovable characters. Along the way showing us his “nerd” side such as writing fan fiction. Making this collection of songs that much more enjoyable to listen to.
Benji’s Cool Times Summer Jamz Mix has a collection of songs that could fit any situation. If you feel like cruising around down with the windows down you can do so while listening to “Santeria” by Sublime or even to “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. If you are feeling a bit more like old hip hop well there are songs for that too such as “The Humpty Dance” by Digital Underground and “Rump Shaker” by Wreckx-N-Effect. Slow Jamz are even included in this mixtape like “I’ll Make Love To You” by Boyz II Men and “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal. Let’s not forgot songs such as “Pump Up The Jam” by Technotronic, “Boombastic” by Shaggy and “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch because those are on here too!
If you are a fan of Parks and Recreations, this will be a mixtape that you will highly appreciate because of the fact that makes us appreciate Ben Wyatt even more or start to if you did not before. As well as the collection of songs that are included on this playlist that are such a great mix that will make any car ride enjoyable.
In the words of Ben Wyatt himself, “I kind of look at it like it’s your favorite directors making a mixtape just for you.” Well in this case, more like one of your favorite characters making a mixtape for himself and having that mixtape leak everywhere. Which is somewhat embarrassing for him but amazing for the rest of us.
Here's the link to the playlist.
