One of the biggest discussions taking place in contemporary Hip Hop is the blurred line between an album and a mixtape. Is one or the other characterized by refurbished or all original material? Does the project have to be free to be a mixtape, or can you put up your work on iTunes or Bandcamp for retail? Add in untraditional roll-out plans as surprise drops seem to trump the single/video/release method, it’s difficult to exactly pinpoint exactly what to actually describe an artist’s body of work. With that in mind, a mixtape could be described as a collection of tracks lacking any significantly major promotional push where monetary gain or chart placement isn’t exactly the priority. These projects are more geared toward brand building than anything else. Officially two days into the new year, here are ten mixtapes from 2015 that purposely cut above the rest.
Jay IDK – “SubTrap”
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DMV native Jay IDK uses SubTrap as a way to explain his motivations and philosophies through a narrative told through many angles outside of his own. Thankfully, he does so without little to any error due to those perspectives simply being well realized. Making sure his point is known he thoroughly explains in a very instructional guide in approaching the album best on project opener “Sexy Bartender/ Intro.” Following tracks from “Dirty Scale” to “Cookie Addiction” all do a grand job of displaying a wide range of emotions.
Big K.R.I.T. – “It’s Better This Way”
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Big K.R.I.T. dropped Cadillacticaas a statement to his willing to play around with outside production and came out successful at the tunnel’s end. There was the feeling that the funky trunk rattling moments that made several of his mixtapes so classic were gone for more artistic endeavors.It’s Better This Way is a call for both newly earned fans and day ones. Tracks including “86” and “Keep It Boomin” couldn’t have been the best throw-backs to K.R.I.T.’s early sound. Meanwhile, “How Bout That Money” featuring Young Dolph are the better examples of his newly found ability to blend with more mainstream sounds.
Lil B & Chance The Rapper – “Free Based Freestyles”
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Recorded over a weekend in Chicago, Free Based Freestyles almost serves as 2015’s ultimate internet fan project. Both Chance The Rapper and Lil B both maintained large success outside of mainstream pop culture solely by utilizing the internet before being the cool guys at the table. As Basedgod manage to find himself in conversations including politics and sports, Chance made a historic appearance on SNL. And yes, this Free Based Freestyles sound exactly how everyone imagined it as. Extremely loose free-associative rhymes on experimental beats
Boogie – “The Reach”
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Compton’s own Boogie had a huge 2015 after the buzz for his “Oh My” single earned him much deserved notoriety and a major deal with Interscope Records. A huge improvement over 2014’s Thirst 48, The Reach is almost the perfect bait-n-switch as the only pseudo turn-up moment is in the form of his breakout moment. Everything else are angry tales of gun violence through “Further,” learning about gang life through church on “First Evergreen” and romantic R&B jams “Found You.” Holding a bulk of production are fairly atmospheric beats from Keyel alongside Jahlil Beats and others.
Joey Fatts – “Ill Street Blues”
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Vince Staples wasn’t the only one putting on for his hometown of Long Beach, California this year. Joey Fatts dropped his greatest work to date in Ill Street Blues. Also grieving the untimely death of his mentor A$AP Yams, his production and lyrical prowess alone grew to jaw-dropping levels more notably on tracks like “Sunday.” The Cutthroat Boyz member was a more intimate look into the violent gang filled community that offers clear and sometimes unclear trappings with honest needs to make it out. Of course, this was told with Fatt’s particular eye level details and grimy blues soundtrack that knocks.
Future – “56 Nights”
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Apart of the mixtape trifecta that led to Future’s ascension to Hip Hop’s elite, the story behind 56 Nights really sets it apart. Before an appearance in Dubai, DJ Esco, Future’s tour DJ, found himself sentenced to jail for 56 days after being caught with over several grams of marijuana in an airport. Creating specifically with 808 Mafia, the ten track project also features some of his best material including “Trap Niggas”and “March Madness.” If any mixtape stands side-by-side near DS2, 56 Nights clearly takes the prize.
( ________ ) – “The Catcher Of The Fade”
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One can’t call themselves a serious West Coast Hip Hop head and continue to deny the lyrical genius of Project Blowed. Since their early 90s beginnings, the collective has evolved into the most important pillar in anything revolving around the area’s constantly evolving alternative scene. One of the offshoots became indie label Hellfyre Club. Produced entirely by Team Supreme, the fifteen minute The Catcher Of The Fadedoesn’t even have a name attached to it. However, insane hyper-lyricism from Busdriver, Open Mike Eagle, Milo, VerBS and much more make the project a grand example of what makes the collective so important.
BeatKing – “Houston 3AM”
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Houston saw a resurgence in quality projects from veteran emcees going as close as Paul Wall or as far back as Scarface. Of course, both emcees existed in an era that pre-dates the internet and social media. This is where the likes of Chedda Da Connect, Sauce Twinz, Doughbeezy and the always impressionable producer/emcee stylings BeatKing find themselves influenced by outside trends alongside core musical values. There wasn’t a better example than Club God’s Houston 3AM. Fascinating considering the project was an improvement on the already amazing Club God 4 and middle release before dropping 3 Weeks later in the year. His loud visceral comedic rhymes were the strongest this year. Sonically, he continues his very loose interpretation of common Southern 808 bass with a Houston swing.
Rick Ross – “Black Dollar”
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2015 could have been as a bittersweet year for Rick Ross’ led Maybach Music Group. Jhene Aiko elevated Omarion’s “Post To Be” also featuring Chris Brown past its ratchet R&B trappings into a culture phenomenal and Meek Mill earned his first number one album through Dreams Worth More Than Money before being embarrassed by Drake on a national level. Drizzy’s seen-around-the-world assault would be the least of Rozay’s problems after the failed releases from Wale and Gunplay. Two tanking albums in himself, The Boss dropped Black Dollaras a prelude to his then upcoming Black Market album. Ironically, the freebie ended up feeling a lot better in quality than the buyable project for some reason.
Young Thug – “Barter 6”
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It’s no secret that Young Thug has become the poster child for what everyone thinks is “wrong” with contemporary Hip Hop. The strange figure known more this year for assisting in a possible assassination attempt of his idol while simultaneously trolling rap machoism by wearing dresses on magazine covers manages to be a leader in Atlanta’s trap movement besides the likes Future, Migos, Gucci Mane and a slew of others. There wasn’t a project that proved is allure more than Barter 6. It’s uncanny, bizarre, often ridiculous and also head nodding. From payday anthem “Check” to mixtape highlight “Halftime,” Barter 6 was a display of Thugger’s ability to hold together a cohesive project with careful fat-trimming.
