Known for its compelling storytelling, reliable characters, and eclectic and powerful soundtrack is the Netflix Orginal series On My Block. The music throughout the series enhances the emotional depth while blending hip-hop, R&B, and Latin beats to mirror the diverse culture of its South Central Los Angeles setting. The tracks highlight the intense moments while also being able to highlight the tender, coming-of-age themes throughout the four seasons. The soundtrack is an essential part of the series' unique identity. Here are some of the best songs from On My Block that perfectly display that.
Sierra Capri
Jason Genao
Brett Gray
Diego Tinoco
Jessica Marie Garcia
Ronni Hawk
“Turn Up” - Decatur Redd - Season 1 Episode 1
Episode one of the series started with an intense situation between the characters, Monse (Sierra Capri) and Cesar (Diego Tinoco). Monse and Cesar display their confusing relationship with their friends as the friend group becomes aware of what happened between them before Monse left for summer camp. She finds out Cesar told their friends Ruby (Jason Genao) and Jamal (Brett Gray) when their relationship was supposed to be a secret. She then angrily confronts Cesar at the Santos house, the gang’s house, as “Turn Up” by Decatur Redd plays. The trap beat and rap lyrics match, creating a more intense scene due to the song's tonality.
“Naturally” - Amir Obe - Season 1 Episode 4
As the plot thickens throughout season one, a twist happens when Olivia (Ronni Hawk) and Cesar begin an intimate relationship, although Monse and him are trying to figure things out. While Olivia and Cesar share an intimate moment, the song “Naturally” by Amir Obe plays. The song’s lyrics cover what it is like to deal with confusing love and how frustrating it can be, perfectly highlighting the state of Monse and Cesar’s relationship at this point in the series.
“Changes” - Dej Loaf - Season 1 Episode 10
As Olivia reaches a milestone in her teenage years, everyone celebrates at her quince that Ruby’s family put together. The crowd dances together, celebrating the changes as you grow up, while “Changes” by Dej Loaf plays throughout the scene. The theme of the song matches the scene flawlessly, allowing the audience to understand the characters undergoing a transition in the show.
“Glitter” - 070 Shake - Season 2 Episode 1
The opening scene of season two goes through the harsh life of the people who live in Freeridge as each clip features a different part of town and situation. The clips include loved ones mourning, running away from cops, and a little kid biking alone in a run-down town. It then transitions to the characters and their lives after the events that occurred in season one as each clip plays “Glitter” by 070 Shake plays. The song expresses questioning your life when you get into street life, and there’s a possibility for more out of life. The song's theme matches the scene perfectly as the characters begin to question what they got themselves into and whether this life is what they want.
“Another Lifetime” - Nao - Season 2 Episode 4
Monse and Cesar’s relationship takes another turn after he finds out she wants to move to Brentwood for the summer to get to know her mom, who she found after not being in her life all this time. Cesar reacted angrily when Monse happily approached him regarding the situation, expecting his support. As they fight, Cesar gives Monse an ultimatum: if she moves, they break up. Monse, frustrated with the situation, tells him they are done. As the scene unfolds, “Another Lifetime” by Nao plays. The song suggests that two people may be meant for each other in another lifetime and explains the hardships that relationships undertake that match perfectly with Monse and Cesar’s situation.
“When the Party’s Over” - Billie Eilish - Season 2 Episode 10
Earlier in the season, Monse finds out about the other girl Cesar had relations with when she moved to Brentwood. She confronts him about the situation while “When The Party’s Over” by Billie Eilish quietly plays in the background. She asks him if he loved her when he did it so she can get the precise answer she needs about their relationship. The sad tone of the song matches Monse and Cesar's emotions as they work through a rough situation. The song makes the scene more emotional due to Elish’s soft vocals and sober lyrics.
“HITBOY” - DUKI & KHEA - Season 3 Episode 1
After the roller world money was found and the gang boss of the Santos found out, they were told they needed to find Lil Ricky, the love of her life. She believed that since they could find the money hidden for years, they could find Lil Ricky, whom she believed was hiding. After the characters confirm Lil Ricky is alive, “Hitboy” by DUKI & KHEA is played while a different clip is shown of a man. The Spanish rap lyrics portray what it is like to live the street life and be a “hitboy,” which makes the audience believe that the man shown is Lil Ricky, but the question is, is it him?
“Get You the Moon" - Kina (featuring Snow) - Season 3 Episode 5
The tear-jerking scene where Monse confides to Ruby about the loss of her mother, “Get You the Moon (featuring Snow),” plays in the background. As they share their similar experiences with dealing with loss and death, the sad tone and slow beat of the song match both Monse and Ruby’s upsetting experiences, furthering the understanding of the emotional trauma the characters have gone through.
“FRIENDS” - LAUNDRY DAY - Season 3 Episode 8
Sometimes, with friend groups, time apart is needed even if you didn't plan for it. After being free from having to work with the gang boss, …, with everything Ruby, Monse, Jamal, and Cesar went through together, they took time apart, which unexpectedly turned into two years of no talking after Monse left for the all-girls school. As the scenes go through what has occurred over the two years and how their characters have developed individually, “FRIENDS” by LAUNDRY DAY plays. The theme of life changing quickly and how easily it can be to get so caught up matches the change that occurred with their friend group since they grew apart being caught up with life.
“We’ll Know Come Morning” - Toulouse - Season 4 Episode 6
As episode six of season 4 begins, the opening scene is where everyone becomes aware of Oscar’s death from the previous episode. The calls come in as the main characters are woken up with the heartbreaking news. Rudy, Jamal, and Monse’s reactions are each individually shown as the song “We’ll Know Come Morning” plays throughout the scene. Toulouse lyrics express you never know what changes can occur overnight, bad or good, but you won’t know till morning. The tone and lyrics reveal emotion about the loss of an essential person in the characters' lives.
Check out the soundtrack for all the seasons of On My Block here.