Mixtape DJ Roundup - August 2011

Author: D.Bail


Harlem World is back at it once more and some of the best from Uptown are in attendance. Harlem Heist 3 is this months DJ Mixtape Roundup feature. When three of the most popular DJ's get together its always a good look and DJ Hood, DJ Grady & DJ Diggz put together an ill assortment of some of Harlem's finest tracks released this summer. When you think of Harlem, the long line of emcees who smashed the mixtape circuit are endless. Ma$e, Big L (RIP) McGruff and Max B come to mind. Then you have the newer class of underground artists like Charlie Hamiliton, Charlie Clips, Tom Gist, Alpac and ASAP Rocky. Cam'Ron ushered in the trend setting Dip Set era with Jim Jones, Freeky Zeeky and Juelz Santana. Vado has being seeing success and earlier this year signed a solo deal with Interscope Records, and the Diplomats are back together after a brief split working on brand new material. Jae Millz is signed to the popular Young Money label. A-Mafia has been pushing his product successfully on the independent route, and 40 Cal as well as JR Writer both released projects recently.

Ironically, the CD starts off with a Brooklyn emcee, Uncle Murda who has put together one of the toughest NYC posse cuts in a minute. 'Warning' (RMX) features Killa Cam, Jim Jones and Vado as well as French Montana, Jadakiss & Styles P, who all do damage to this track. Other standouts include the JR Writer and Cassidy collabo 'Rewind Back' and then there's the 'From The Bottom' (RMX) with Cam, Hell Rell & Grafh on the hook. The Vado solo 'Let it Burn' is ridiculous and producer Jungle Beats keeps his hot streak going with 'I'll be Back' featuring Jim Jones, Fred the Godson and the Philly favorite right now, Meek Mill. Harlem Heist 3 has plenty of hardbody street joints heavy with freestyles as well as original tracks and some exclusives. There is a lot of flavor on this release and the track sequence moves well to keep the vibe going without skipping through. If you missed out on the individual projects that dropped out Harlem in the past few months, this is like a best of collection of all those joints.

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

DJ Bedtyme357 & Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes - Coast 2 Coast 170 Hosted by Skyzoo

DJ Blazita - Club Heat 4

DJ Superstar Jay - I am Mixtapes Pt. 92

DJ Mustard & DJ Slowpoke - The Bay 2 L.A. Chronicals Vol. 1

DJ OP - Jadakiss, Beanie Sigel & Styles P 'Reservoir Dogs'

DJ Ben Frank - Stay Smokin' Vol. 18

DJ Castro - The Lennox Ave Beast: Charlie Clips

DJ 837 - Everyday Struggle Vol. 10 (Chopped & Screwed)

DJ Whiteowl - Drop That 178

DJ Fonzy - 2Pac & Notorious B.I.G 'Tragedy Life'

Alternative Mixtape: The Weekend - 'Thursday'

Mixtape Artist Roundup - August 2011

Author: D.Bail

One of the hardest working emcees in the game today, New Orleans own Curren$y has made his presence felt on the mixtape market flooding the Hip Hop world with quality release after release. His newest offering Verde Terrace features none other than previous Justo Award Winner for "Best Mixtape DJ" DJ Drama and is the Mixtape Artist Roundup feature for August. One of the most important factors for success in Hip Hop is creating your own movement and Curren$y who flies his Jet Life movement flag high, has picked up a legion of supporters who have followed him since he was the first artist signed to Lil Wayne's Young Money Records. When he decided to leave the label, critics questioned his decision and wondered if he had made a mistake in removing himself from what would soon become one of the most successful labels currently in the business. But he moved on strong, created his own buzz and following and in this year alone has dropped 3 stellar projects which included Covert Coup, produced entirely by super producer The Alchemist, Weekend at Burnie's, and Return to the Winners Circle.

Spitta's draw is that he has his unique style and flow and Verde Terrace is a mix of a few original joints and some previously used production over which Curren$y truly sounds comfortable. While most remixes rappers do over other instrumentals somewhat mimick the original, Curren$y completely changes the whole vibe and way the OG song was done and makes it his own. Its dope to actually hear a emcee from a different region get on beats like the Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel classic 'It's On' and get busy on it. It was equally refreshing to hear Curren$y on a Max B instrumental, a salute to Biggavel called 'One for the Wave'. He pulls these tracks off with ease, and DJ Drama keeps it low key keeping his presence felt throughout with the drops in the right spots making it an easy listen in the ride or ipod. Overall, the sequence of the songs flow well, and the replay value is definitely there.

Spitta may be a newer face on the scene to some casual fans, but in reality, Curren$y has been putting in work on the mic even before Young Money, with the other New Orleans crew the Miller brothers group 504, courtesy of No Limit Records. His time in the game, his gradual improvement on song making and performing makes him a young veteran. But that fits his style and Verde Terrace is definitely authentic to who he is and where he's from. Spitta goes from topics ranging to keeping it trill with the females, relaxing and chillen, rules and lessons from the street, and just everyday living like he does. He keeps the features to a minimal, and pretty much holds down the set for dolo, which is respectable in the age of an over abundance of features on LP's as well as mixtapes. Willie the Kid drops in with a sick 16 on 'Sky Dive' one of the standouts on Verde Terrace. This mixtape is smooth, and although Curre$eny is known for his laid back flow, he seems to really put some extra punch on his bars on the 14 track set. On 'Ways to Kill Em' he spits:

I'm from New Orleans I stunt/in a blue moon once/every now and then but I don't be doing too much/that's how fools get touched/riding thru all thru all them cuts/thinking you looking cool/dude you looking like lunch/to the wild and the young seem to be born with guns/You need to read the signs if you going where they from/ - Curren$y 'Ways to Kill Em'

Insightful lyrics aside, Curren$y has used the mixtape circuit to his full advantage utilizing the freedom to drop quality music to his fanbase on a consistent basis. Just earlier this year Warner Brothers agreed to a label deal with his Jet Life imprint, showing the industry that once again the power of the mixtape. Justo lives on...

Other notable releases include: (No Particular Order)

Coke Boys – Coke Boys 2
French Montana is back once again with Chinx Drugz, Flip & Cheeze collectively known as the Coke Boys on this highly anticipated sequel to to the first standout. Over the course of the last few mixtapes, the group has put together a cohesive versatility on a variety of diverse production. Overall a definite strong offering for the streets, this one is going to flow into the Fall season well. With their fanbase growing by the minute, they continue to tour proving you don't necessarily need a huge label push to build momentum on the road. Strong features from Waka Flocka, Uncle Murda and Tity Boi round out another dope effort by the Coke Boys.
Reppin': All Over Standout Song: Home Town
HOSTED BY EVIL EMPIRE

Wale - The Eleven One Eleven Theory
Wale has caught the attention of those that were sleeping on his talent on one of the better albums of this year, Self Made Vol. 1 The plan to showcase themselves or reintroduce themselves to a eager listening audience has definitely paid off in terms of seeing Wale shine at his best. This mixtape has a a joint for everyone and there is some interesting content addressing the ladies on a number of songs. Wale's is building anticipation for his sophomore album to be released on Maybach Music and this is a cool prelude of what to expect on his LP.
Reppin': Washington, DC Standout Song: Barry Sanders

Big K.R.I.T. - Last King 2: God's Machine
Conscious yet confidant, Big K.R.I.T , a wordsmith with the bars and a excellent producer behind the boards, is back with a new stellar project. The man from Mississippi continues to impress with introspective themes and soul stringing musical backdrops. Special features from Dom Kennedy, Wiz Khalifa, Chris Brown, Smoke DZA, Cyhi The Prynce, Bobby Creekwater and Yelawolf add some different flavor without taking away from the main artist. The music is just refreshing and is departure musically from the ordinary thats out there. That's a great thing and Def Jam signee K.R.I.T looks to continue his commitment to making timeless music on his forthcoming debut soon.
Reppin': Meridian, Mississippi Standout Song: 4 Tha 1's
HOSTED BY DJ BREAKEM OFF & DJ WALLY SPARKS

Meek Mill - Dreamchasers
Meek Mill has had a unforgettable summer. With two smash hits that have been heating up the streets since the start of June 'Tupac Back' and 'I'm A Boss', the Philly All Star has created a frenzy and a big demand for more music and he delivers with the DJ Drama hosted Dreamchasers. The hunger is there, the production is on point and the excellent feature from Philly OG Beanie Sigel on the title cut 'Dreamchasers' is a true banger. Meek Mill is showing his ability to be a great song maker and joints like 'Middle of the Summer', 'Work' featuring Rick Ross and 'House Party' featuring Young Chris should continue the hit making streak for Mill.
Reppin:' Philly, PA Standout Song: Dreamchasers
HOSTED BY DJ DRAMA

A-Mafia - My Side Of The Story
Deep In The Game Ent. presents A-Mafia back to tell his side of the story. Mafia has been keeping a consistent pace putting out dope music this past year. He puts it down once more with the gritty street tales and witty punchlines he has been known to execute well. Harlem has a star on the rise with a great work ethnic, tough bars, hard beats and Mafia has a strong following in the Tri State area that is expanding daily. Check out the bangers 'Run The Town', '100 Billz' and a remake of a old school classic 'Love Train' for the ladies.
Reppin:' Harlem, NY Standout Song: Fallen Soliders

Slaine & Statik Selektah - State of Grace
Boston natives producer Statik Selektah and emcee Slaine work together on this exclusive project State of Grace, which came out before Slaines long awaited A World With No Skies LP. Slaine is an emcee who puts together real life situations and raw aggresion into his songs. Statik handles all the production duties and the outcome is a dope project full of emotion and truth. Check out the ill story telling skills on 'Trail Of Blood', Slaine brings the ugly realities to life and does it with no holds barred.
Reppin': Boston, Massachusetts Standout Song: The American Way

A.P (About Paper) - Somethin Lite
A.P has been putting in work for D-Block for some time now and this mixtape showcases some of his lyrical abilty. A.P does an excellent job of eating up some popular instrumentals with nothing less than tough bars and he doesn't need the whole D-Block army to do so. He holds his own on this project and is pushing towards the next level in terms of being recognized as one to watch for in the next few months. Co-signed by DJ Big Mike & DJ OP, A.P has what it takes lyrically to demand a listening audience. Check out his freeestyle over the Lloyd Banks joint 'Start It Up'.
Reppin': Yonkers, NY Standout Song: Welcome
HOSTED BY DJ BIG MIKE, DJ OP, POOBS

Jae Millz - The Flood Category 5
From his early days of battling on Smack DVD , paying his dues through a few early record deals and now currently signed to Young Money Records, Jae Millz has been one of the most persistant out. This is part 5 of his buzzing The Flood series featuring DJ Ill Will & DJ Rockstar. Millz is a cat who has really put in work over time and he gets alot of unfair critcism. Jae Millz has been heating up the block for years now and hopefully he will have the opportunity to release his Young Money debut soon. Check for 'KKKrazy' featuring the Birdman on the ad-libs and just raw aggresive lyrics from Millz. Don't sleep on this drop!
Reppin': Harlem, NY Standout Song:Reggie Miller
HOSTED BY DJ ILL WILL & DJ ROCKSTAR

Tony Yayo - Meyer Lansky
Tony Yayo has put out some dope mixtapes over the past few years and Meyer Lansky continues that streak. Alongside of DJ Superstar Jay & DJ Love Dinero, its Queens all day representing on this joint. Fresh off the momentum of his new single 'Haters', Yayo keeps the streets fed with some tough cuts on this one. With features from Danny Brown, Fred Da Godson, Styles P and many more the Unit keeps pushing on. Yayo's second album is slated to hit the streets soon and this mixtape will hold his fans down well for now.
Reppin': Queens, NY Standout Song: Shot Caller
HOSTED BY SUPERSTAR JAY & DJ LOVE DINERO

Roscoe Dash - Dash Effect
The Dash Effect is a party starter and shows the reason why Roscoe keeps a party turnt up and the younger crowds are checking for him. He goes crazy on the 'H.A.M' freestyle and has some club bangers and trunk rattlers on this. DJ Drama and DJ Kuttthroat are on board for Deejaying and hosting duties and the mixtape has a great cohesive feel to it, perfect for a Friday or Saturday night.
Reppin': Atlanta, GA Standout Song: Awesome
HOSTED BY DJ KUTTTHROAT & DJ DRAMA