The New Wedding Playlist: Unfiltered and Unapologetic
Weddings used to cling to clean, family-friendly music like it was a sacred commandment… then COVID happened, and suddenly couples were requesting WAP at full volume. In this post, I dig into the cultural shift I’ve seen firsthand as a wedding DJ—why explicit tracks exploded after the pandemic, how social media reshaped wedding playlists, and what this all says about the way couples choose to celebrate today.
May 29, 2025
Weddings are a time-honored tradition—a celebration of love, unity, and joy. They also serve as a reflection of cultural trends and shifts in society. As a wedding DJ, I’ve witnessed these shifts firsthand, but none as striking as the post-COVID transformation in music requests. If you had told me in early 2020 that I would soon be spinning original recordings by artists like Lil Wayne, Megan Thee Stallion, Sexxy Red, and Young Dolph, I would have politely (but firmly) asked for the name of your favorite therapist.
Pre-COVID, weddings followed a very specific playbook when it came to music: couples requested clean versions of songs, and the emphasis was on maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere. Explicit lyrics were generally avoided at all costs. In fact, if a track had even a hint of profanity or an off-color reference, it was automatically flagged as a "Do Not Play." I used to get calls before every wedding, reminding me to only play clean versions of songs because they didn't want to risk offending Aunt Karen or the bride's grandmother, who was coming in from out of town. The idea was to keep things tasteful, light, and celebratory.
But then something changed.
After quarantine lifted and life began to slowly return to "normal," I started noticing a significant shift in requests. Suddenly, couples were asking for the original, expletive-filled versions of tracks, and they wanted them loud. Explicit lyrics weren’t just tolerated—they were embraced. I’ve played "WAP" more times than I’d care to admit at weddings, and let me tell you, it isn’t always the guests requesting it—it’s the couple themselves. The same goes for songs like "Wait (The Whisper Song)," "Super Freaky Girl," and "The Box" and any other track that’s come out in the last couple of years with a heavy dose of NSFW content.
At first, I was taken aback. Please do not misconstrue my meaning. I am no prude, and I am not at all offended by the change that has taken place. But what caused this cultural shift? How did the music tastes of wedding couples evolve so drastically in just a couple of years?
In my opinion, the answer lies in the way the pandemic changed us as a society—especially the way we connect with ourselves, our identities, and our desires. During lockdowns and quarantines, many of us were forced to confront isolation, uncertainty, and our own sense of vulnerability. We had to rethink what it meant to live authentically and pursue happiness without shame or reservation. And for many, that meant embracing personal expression—especially when it came to music.
Pre-COVID, weddings were often seen as formal, structured events that adhered to specific traditions and expectations. There were certain things you just didn’t do. You didn’t play explicit music at a wedding, for example, because that would upset the delicate balance of decorum. But after spending months on end reflecting on what really matters—what truly brings us joy—many couples came out of the pandemic with a new mindset. Weddings became an opportunity to express themselves authentically, without worry or judgment.
For a lot of couples, playing the original version of a song—whether it's a hip-hop track with explicit lyrics or an R&B anthem about empowerment—is a way of breaking free from those old constraints. It’s a statement of embracing individuality and being unapologetic in their celebration of love.
Another factor that plays a huge role in this cultural shift is the power of social media and streaming platforms. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have given rise to a new wave of music consumption. People are no longer just passively listening to music on the radio—they’re curating their own playlists, and they’re influenced by viral moments, challenges, and trends.
Take WAP, for example. It wasn’t just a song—it was a cultural event. When Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion released the track, it exploded across social media. Whether you loved it or hated it, there was no denying its omnipresence in pop culture. The song became a marker of empowerment and bold self-expression, and when it hit streaming platforms, it quickly became a party anthem. It was the kind of track that got people talking, and it didn’t shy away from its explicit content. For many couples planning weddings post-pandemic, incorporating songs like this into their playlist was a reflection of the boldness they felt in embracing their authentic selves—free from the usual constraints of pre-COVID wedding norms.
Living through a global pandemic did something to us. It made us more introspective, yes, but it also made us crave freedom. We had spent months confined to our homes, separated from family, friends, and normal social activities. And when life started to return, there was a collective sense of needing to live out loud—to celebrate with gusto, to shed the weight of restrictions, and to embrace the joy of being alive.
For many couples, their wedding became the ultimate "coming out" moment—an opportunity to fully express who they were, including their musical tastes, without worrying about who might be offended. They weren’t just choosing songs—they were choosing a vibe, a moment, and a statement. And that statement often meant playing the original, unfiltered versions of their favorite songs, no matter how explicit they might be.
Weddings, in many ways, are a reflection of larger cultural shifts. As societal norms evolve, so do the expectations for what a wedding should look like. While traditions still hold weight—first dances, toasts, and the cutting of the cake—couples today are more likely to throw out the "rules" in favor of creating a wedding that’s a true reflection of their personalities.
The rise of explicit music at weddings speaks to a broader trend: couples are embracing a more relaxed, authentic vibe that values individuality over tradition. Whether it’s choosing a WAP for the reception or opting for a funky playlist full of bold, brash tracks, today’s couples are more interested in celebrating their wedding in a way that feels true to them, not to some outdated expectation of what a wedding should be.
So, what caused this shift in wedding music? It wasn’t one thing, but rather a convergence of social, cultural, and technological factors. The pandemic forced us to confront who we are and what we truly value. It sparked a desire for authenticity, which in turn made us more comfortable embracing the music that truly speaks to us—unfiltered, unapologetic, and bold.
As a DJ, I’ve had to adjust to this new reality. Gone are the days of meticulously filtering out every trace of profanity. Now, when a couple asks for WAP or Savage Love at their wedding, I don’t bat an eye. In fact, I’m probably the one who’s surprised when someone still requests a "clean" version of a song in 2023.
The cultural shift in wedding music post-COVID reflects a larger societal change—one where people are no longer bound by convention and are ready to celebrate in their own unique way. And honestly, I’m all for it. After all, if you’re going to get married and celebrate your love, why not do it on your own terms—with the soundtrack that truly represents who you are?
As an aside, I will again be taking time off from my blog. As wedding season shifts into high gear, and my calendar fills up—not only with weddings every weekend, but with in-person meetings most weekdays with the couples who book me—I am going to take a break from blogging during the summer months. Mostov's Musings will return in the fall. Until then, happy planning and best wishes!