It's been ten years since the release of the mixtape classic 50 Cent is the Future, a year that established the full potential of what the mixtape represented to an artist career. A necessity to promote when a label can't or won't, a chance to capture the streets ear, create a movement, a following and a relevancy in a crowded mix of rappers all trying to achieve the same goal. 50 Cent brilliantly used the mixtape circuit to garner one the biggest deals at the time with Shady/Aftermath and the rest is history. This mixtape feature of the month, The Big 10 is a throwback to the hunger exhibited a decade before with 50 unleasing a arsenal of flows over soulful and hardcore beats plus dope features from Tony Yayo and new G-Unit signee Kidd Kidd. A successful career off the passion and talent of music is a beautiful thing, especially when coming with a relentless drive and humble beginnings. This business is a sacrifice with no guaranteed payoffs. Justo Faison created this platform, The Justos Mixtape Awards to salute those who were trendsetters and move makers in our culture. Where the Grammy's would not and what mainstream often shunned was met here with the full respect and admiration deserved and earned.
The voice of the streets who often certify and launch our favorite emcees, deejays and producers into success, finally had a say on what we loved and didn't. The music to our life, the soundtracks for the day, the mixtape is what we listened to, related to, embraced and shared. It was raw, uncut without any diluting or clean up. It evoked emotions for whatever situation you were going through and was an inspiration to go harder. Ten years later its stronger than its ever been. It has resurrected careers and brought new talent to the forefront. For some it is the key that opens the door for label deals, tours and respected acceptance worldwide. The Big Ten mixtape is an representation of the roots that sparked a million dollar entity. The deejays are still the holders and molders of what the streets want. DJ Whoo Kid and his role in the 50 Cent/G-Unit empire is also what makes this story so important. The alliances formed between a deejay and a artist is now more crucial than ever to move the culture further. Even though the way the music gets to the fans has changed, the essence of breaking the music hasn't changed. Supply and demand.
Finally the mixtape has been accepted into the mainstream valve of music culture through blogs, magazines, social networking, radio and television. I think Justo would be more than proud. To everyone that has supported The Justos Mixtape Awards, we definitely thank you and appreciate it. 2011 has been a groundbreaking year in the Mixtape/Street Album genre and it most certainly will continue. We look forward to serving the Hip Hop community and staying ahead of the curve in 2012. #JustoLivesOn
MORE HEAT IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER:
Heavy D - The Peaceful Journey Collection
HOSTED BY DON CANNON & MARS
Yo Gotti - January 10th The Mixtape
Nipsey Hussle - The Marathon Continues
Barri Blakk - The Last Dragon
HOSTED BY DJ DIRTY NEEDLEZ
Lupe Fiasco - Friend Of The People: I Fight Evil
JR Writer - Still Standing 3
Ludacris - 121 Gigwatts Back to The First Time
Termanology & Ea$y Money - S.T.R.E.E.T
Lloyd Banks - Cold Corner 2
Dirty Red - My DJ Remix My Sh*t
HOSTED BY DJ TOMMY BROWNE
Juicy J - Blue Dream & Lean
HOSTED BY DJ SCREAM
Waka Flocka Flame & French Montana - Lockout
HOSTED BY DJ GREEN LATERN & DJ DRAMA
J-Hood - Fair Warning
HOSTED BY DJ FAR
Slim The Mobster - War Music
HOSTED BY DJ WHOO KID
Fabolous - There is No Competition: Death Comes In Threes
Layzie Bone - The Law Of Attraction
HOSTED BY DJ SMALLZ
Hell Rell - Black Cloud
HOSTED BY DUKE DA GOD
2 Chainz - T.R.U. REALigion
HOSTED BY DJ DRAMA
Consequence - Club Certified
HOSTED BY DJ SUPERSTAR JAY & DJ LOVE DINERO
LA The Darkman - Midwest Kush: Pyrex Edition
HOSTED BY MOON DAWG & DJ HEAD DEBIASE
DJ WHITEOWL - Wu-Block
ALTERNATIVE MIXTAPE: The Weeknd - Echoes of Silence
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