Happy Fourth of July! It was a gorgeous weekend and we spent it celebrating our country’s independence with fun jams by the pool and on the dance floor. Inspired by our own good time, we’re kicking off the start of MKIA’S Music Mondays with these fun pop songs that will keep you shakin’ it all summer long:

Higher, Taio Cruz. The British singer-songwriter who’s last single, Break Your Heart, climbed to number one in the US and the UK used to write and produce for Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, and many other mainstream artists. His most recent album, Rokstarr, is jam-packed with adrenaline pumping tracks that are sure to be the stars of the clubs this summer. Among them, Dynamite and Dirty Picture are two of my other favorites. Listen at myspace.com/taiocruzmusic and download at itunes.com/taiocruz.

Pass Out, Chris Brown. Even though I’m not a huge fan of CB the man, nor did I buy his BET Awards’ stunt, this song is a dance party waiting to happen. Sampling Eric Prydz’s college anthem, Call on Me, Brown proclaims “I’m your battery here to charge you up” and he’s not lying. Listen at myspace.com/chrisbrown and download at itunes.com/chrisbrown.

Little Secrets, Passion Pit. This song got everyone jumping on the dance floor this weekend. And friends of mine went to their concert this past week and said it was a blast. Listen at myspace.com/passionpitjams and download at itunes.com/passionpit.

Don’t Let Me Fall, B.o.B. I listen to this song on my walk to work in the morning and it always puts me in a good mood. It’s also great for those summer drives while cruising with the windows down. The piano riff interlaid with B.o.B’s rhymes are a nice combination. Airplanes, listed on MKIA’s May playlist, as well as Magic are other tracks by B.o.B that definitely deserve a shout-out. Listen at myspace.com/bobatl and download at itunes.com/bob.

Your Love’s a Drug, Leighton Meester. Who knew Blair Waldorf was capable of making cool pop music? I first heard this song at a bar in NYC and was immediately addicted. Once you get to the chorus, you too will be belting “All I neeeeeeeeeeeeeed…” Listen at myspace.com/leightonmeester and download at itunes.com/leightonmeester.

Up Up & Away, Kid Cudi. The rapper who gave us Day ‘n Night does not disappoint with his entire album - Man On the Moon: The End of Day. Up Up & Away is just one of this artist’s gems along with Pursuit of Happiness and Make Her Say. Listen at myspace.com/kidcudi and download at itunes.com/kidcudi.

Hope you enjoy them! xoxo Lauren