Hot Tracks

LISA ROBINSON

Playlist Playback: You might be surprised what musicians listen to when they're not listening to themselves. Here's what six music stars are hearing now.

► MELANIE MARTINEZ

The former semi-finalist on The Voice releases her debut album, Cry Baby, this fall.

"Fineshrine"—Purity Ring This song gives me chills.

"Yayo"

—Lana Del Rev One of my favorites from her.

"Smokey Taboo"

—CocoRosie The lyrics are clever, and I love the Middle Eastern feel.

"Valentine"

—Fiona Apple This song makes me so happy to be sad.

"Glory Box"

—Portishead This is what every girl feels wrapped up in a song.

► NAS

Hip-hop luminary Nas's documentary, Time Is Illmatic, is released in theaters this month.

"Stay with Me"

—Sam Smith Sam's the kind of artist that puts it all out on the line.

"Kind of Blue"

—Miles Davis [The album] for my smoke-a-cigar-and-sipon-some-good-wine kind of night.

"Got to Be There"

—Mich a el Jackson I think of my kids when I hear this song.

"The Payback"

—James Brown The Godfather!!

"Lost Ones"

—Lauryn Hill She created a sound that was timeless and inspired me.

►DJ CASSIDY

DJ Cassidy, who's played the turntable for the world's top pop stars, releases his own debut album, Paradise Royale, this fall.

"Ai No Corrida"

—Quincy Jones Quincy rocked the dance floor even without Michael.

"Fall Back 2U"

—Chromeo If they don't make you move, you have no soul.

"Glow of Love"

—Change This is the sound of celebration.

"Starlight"

—Escort Brooklyn's hidden gem of a dance band.

"Under Your Spell"

—Phyllis Hyman A truly magical voice. Pure paradise.

►JHENEAIKD

The soul singer's much-anticipated debut album, Sou-led Out, is out now.

"Keep Ya Head Up"

—Tupac Shakur An amazing song, an important message.

"I Get Around"

—Tupac Shakur This song always puts me in the best mood.

"Cruisin'"

—DAngelo The perfect song for riding around with

someone you love!

—Eminem A perfect song—he really paints a vivid picture.

"Stan"

"Ironic"

—Alanis Morissette Ironically, my life tends to mirror the lyrics.

► SAM SMITH

"I'm Not the Only One" is the British soul singer's current follow-up to his smash "Stay with Me."

"Simplethings"

—Miguel It's so sexy.

"Indo"

—Cassie I am obsessed with this.

"Tough Love"

—Jessie Ware This song has been getting me through my hectic schedule.

"Thinking Out Loud"

—Ed Sheer an I love everything about Ed.

"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Live Version)"

—George Michael and Elton John The best-ever live-captured moment for me

► GRIMES

Singer, songwriter, and producer Grimes is currently recording her fourth album.

"Nevermind the End"

—Tei Shi This song is creepy but beautiful.

"Getting Me Down"

—Blawan An amazing rework of Brandy's "I Wanna Be Down."

"Ghetto Supastar"

—Pras featuring Mva + OV Dirty Bastard An interpolation of "Islands in the Stream," originally sung by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.

"I Say a Little Prayer"

—Aretha Franklin The first time I fell in love I was listening to this song.

"Extraordinary"

—Clean Bandit featuring Sharna Bass A band of classically trained musicians who have a great dance/ pop thing going on.