Mixtape Artist Roundup - March 2011

Author: D.Bail

Featured Review

March was a big month for Mixtape Artists but I got to set it off with one of my favorites that dropped towards the end of the month. Big K.R.I.T.'s "Return of 4eva" is soulful music that gave me memories of Summer '04, riding with my Cousin D (RIP), through Richmond, VA on the cool out. This self produced jewel is something serious as K.R.I.T raps, sings and brings some southern hospitality with infectious hooks. Out of all the mixtapes that dropped last month based on my research, "Return of 4Eva" was definitely amongst the top! Big K.R.I.T signed to Def Jam is reppin' for Mississippi and coming off his well received and acclaimed "Krit Wuz Here" mixtape in 2010. "Return of 4Eva" is a free release that is considered a hybrid of a mixtape if you will, a cousin we call street album. When there is no DJ, no tags, a great mix and master, no cosign and consist of all original music, it's a street album. It's an album in every sense except, it's FREE!

Thats not to say I prefer street albums over the mixtape. I appreciated DJ Clue's "Clue???" yell over a L.O.X. Freestyle to make known it was official or that it was an "Exclusive!". I also appreciated the DJ Whoo Kid & Stretch Armstrong gun shots and crazy sounds that were all over their various hot mixtape series back in the day. The DJ hosted mixtapes are still fun with the likes of Don Cannon, DJ Drama, DJ Superstar Jay, DJ Kay Slay & DJ Skee with their signature tags, legendary ad libs and introductions. Honestly I believe an artist should have both Street Albums and DJ hosted mixtapes. I still enjoy the scratches and the infamous "Take It From The Top" mixes and shouts from DJ's.

March 2011 notable releases include the following: 
(in no particular order)



Dom Kennedy "The Original Dom Kennedy"
Reppin: LA California, Southern Cali


Mac Miller "Best Day Ever"
Reppin: Pittsburg, PA


Plies "I Fuck With The DJ"
Reppin: Ft. Myers, FL


Chinx Drugz "Flight 2011" w/ Harry Fraud
Reppin: Far Rockaway, Queens, NY


Pusha T "Fear of God"
Reppin: Born in Bronx NY raised in Virginia Beach, VA


Chip Tha Ripper "Gift Raps"
Reppin: Cleveland, Ohio


Fashawn "Higher Learning 2" w/ DJ Ill Will & DJ Rockstar
Reppin: Fresno, California


Papoose "The 2nd Coming" w/ DJ Kay Slay
Reppin: Brooklyn, NY


Timbo King "The Grind Wave" w/ J-Ronin

Reppin: Brooklyn, NY


OJ Da Juiceman "Culinary Art School 2" w/ DJ Holiday & DJ Ill Will

Reppin: Atlanta, GA


Tyga "Careless World" w/ DJ Fonzy
Reppin: Compton, California


French Montana "Mister 16: Casino Life" w/ DJ Holiday
Reppin: Born in Morroco raised in the Bronx, NY


Young Dro "I Co-Sign Myself" w/ DJ Dro
Reppin: Atlanta, GA


Red Cafe "Above The Cloudz"
Reppin: Brooklyn, NY


Cau2gs "Black Ops" w/ Grz
Reppin: Far Rockaway, Queens, NY


Chevy Woods "Red Cup Music"
Reppin: Pittsburg, PA


Frank Ocean "Nosalgia Ultra"
Reppin: New Orleans-born, Beverly Hills-based


Lil' Kim "Black Friday" w/ Big Mike
Reppin: Brooklyn, NY


Soulja Boy "1UP"
Reppin: Atlanta, GA


Pac Div "Mania" w/ Don Cannon
Reppin: Sacremento, California


Lil' B "Illusions of Grandeur"
Reppin: Berkely, California