DNA Of The Blueprint
(DJ Neil Armstrong)
This mixtape is sure to make any Jay-Z fan smile. The 5th Platoon’s Neil Armstrong, Jay-Z’s personal deejay throughout his last several worldwide tours, put together DNA Of The Blueprint as a tribute to Hov’s three-album series. With superb blending, scratching, interview clips and sample references, Armstrong oddly brings together the distinct feels of each Blueprint installment into one cohesive product. And while fans (including this writer) may have opted to only pick their favorites or the most critically-acclaimed songs from the albums, Armstrong equally uses the successes and imperfections to make a tribute that’s as honest and accurate as it is compelling. There aren’t any standouts here, but with the mixtape only being one MP3, there aren’t supposed to be: just press play and throw your diamonds up.
Fabolous –There Is No Competition 2: The Funeral (DJ Drama)
We already know where this is going. Fabolous finally showed the ability to put together a cohesive album from top to bottom with Loso’s Way, but he’s always in top form when he’s running the mixtape circuit. So with the DJ Drama-helmed There Is No Competition 2: The Funeral, Loso does what he does best: rap his ass off over industry beats. Jay Electronica’s “Exhibit C,” Lloyd Banks’ “Beamer, Benz or Bentley,” and Wacka Flocka Flame’s “Oh Let’s Do It” are all ripped to shreds with Fab’s penchant for punchlines and stacked rhyme schemes. There isn’t much to say here: this is as mixtape as it gets, and Fabolous succeeds because of it.
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Jim Jones –Ghost of Rich Porter
While this writer enjoyed The Diplomats as a group and enjoyed Cam’ron and Juelz Santana as soloists, he wasn’t ever a fan of Jim Jones. But with Ghost of Rich Porter, the Capo may change some minds. He’s not the lyrical mastermind that some Hip Hop heads may require of their leaders, but he doesn’t need to be. With gritty production, an equally brawny baritone and no-nonsense rhymes about the block, Jones does a commendable job of channeling the spirit of the Harlem hustler whom the mixtape is named after. Dipset apostles should enjoy the guest spots from Hell Rell Juelz Santana and J.R. Writer, but pleasant surprises include blistering verses from Joell Ortiz (“Cocaine Dreams”), Maino (“Tryna Win”), and a multi-filled verse by Gucci Mane (“Haunted”). Aside from the dope but out-of-place “Forever” freestyle with him and Juelz, this is A1 street music.
Asher Roth –Seared Foie Gras w/Quince & Cranberry (DJ Wreckineyez)
With gay rumors and Twitter fuck-ups getting more attention than his debut Asleep In The Bread Aisle, Asher Roth is going back to the place that got him his pre-“I Love College” props: the mixtape circuit. He launches Seared Foie Gras w/ Quince & Cranberry off with “Muddy Swim Trunks,” which sees him effortlessly flowing over a previously-used Madlib instrumental. While Asher’s lyrics are serviceable, the tape primarily serves as a great showcase for his breezy delivery and his rhyme schemes, with “Rik Smits” and “Hot Wangs” (which comically flips Talib Kweli’s “Hot Thing”) as examples. The two posse cuts that end the tape that feature Blu, Pac Div and Talib Kweli do a good job at rounding things out and showing how he can hang with his peers. Seared Foie Gras w/Quince & Cranberry may not be the delectable dish it displays on its cover, but it’ll fill you up all the same.
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Consequence –Movies On Demand
Big Sean and Kid Cudi are perhaps the current buzzworthy names on G.O.O.D. Music, but with Consequence’s early influence on their label head, these youngsters may have him to thank for the opportunity to sign under Kanye West. Cons’ solo catalog has been consistent, and with Movies On Demand, that doesn’t change. Even though it isn’t as game-changing as its guest list may imply, this mixtape is a still a solid collection of songs. Top tier production from Kanye, Q-Tip, Statik Selektah and others fuels the tape, but cameos from Pharaohe Monch (“Let U Live”) and Styles P (“Stand Too Close”) don’t disappoint either. Surprisingly, some of Movies On Demand’s strongest moments come when Consequence goes dolo. “Your Luck’s Gonna Run Out” speaks about the risks of living on the edge, and “Sounds G.O.O.D. To Me” is full of old-fashioned boasts and witty punchlines over a woodwind-heavy backdrop. With his Universal Motown ConsTV coming this summer, the Queens veteran may have some things to teach his younger, newer G.O.O.D. colleagues.
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Dom Kennedy – From The Westside With Love [click to download]
This writer has been sleeping on Dom Kennedy since last year, but his new From The Westside With Love mixtape is sure to make a believer out of any new listener. The west coast rookie uses smooth, spring-ready production and an enunciated flow to wax poetic about women, his come-up, and more women. The nostalgic “1997” sees Dom reminiscing on the puppy love, alcohol and rap dreams from his teenage life, and “Still Me” triumphantly celebrates how he hasn’t let accolades change his character. But as its title suggests, From The Westside With Love is chockfull of female-friendly tunes. While all of them knock, personal favorites include the love at first sight story of “The 4 Heartbeats” and “The Hotels,” which is an ode to getting down on the road. Provided his future efforts (or some of his previous ones, as I’ve heard) have a smaller amount of songs for the ladies, Dom Kennedy may have just gotten a new fan.
Raekwon – The Vatican IV (DJ Riddler) [click to download]
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With the aftermath of his new classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II still running its course, it’s only right Raekwon closes another chapter with the fourth and final installment of his The Vatican mixtape series. Mixing both previously-released heaters and new tracks, his is a solid compilation and a fitting way to close the series. Rae’s trademark venomous, conversational flow is on point throughout, and guest spots by Ghostface and others are all satisfying, whether they’ve already been heard or not. A tracklisting of 36 songs may intimidate, but highlights like “Bloodmissiles,” “Wish I Had A Bigger Gun,” and “Real In The Game” all carry the murky, dark ambience that The Chef murders best.
XXL Freshman For ’10 Mixtape (DJ Whoo Kid)
To represent their now-annual issue that highlights 10 new names to watch in Hip Hop, XXL magazine commissioned DJ Whoo Kid to round up songs from each emcee for a mixtape. Despite its grammatical mistake in the title (“freshman”), this project has several great precautions: scratching and hosting take a backseat to the songs, and most of the artists actually submit worthwhile songs to make an impression instead of tossing in throwaway tracks. Additionally, each artist’s submission(s) captures the essence they’ve established so far. Pill’s “Angels Freestyle” flaunts his signature brash confidence, Freddie Gibbs’ “Born To Roll” and “Youz A Hoe” showcase his impeccable flow, and Fashawn serves up more of his vivid, thought-provoking rhymes on “I Need To Know.” Each of the Freshmen puts their best feet forward, showing the charismatic personalities that, if XXL is right, will help define a new era of Hip Hop.
The Roots –Dilla Jawns
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The Roots already paid homage to J Dilla with “Can’t Stop This” and shoutouts at their shows, but it’s virtually impossible to show too much love to the legendary Detroit producer. So on Dilla Jawns, the band offers live renditions of some of Dilla’s songs. As friends and colleagues of Dilla, The Roots do a great job of capturing the subdued, laid-back vibe he delivered with his soundbeds as opposed to only playing the same notes and instruments that he did. The Roots’ band members have already established a chemistry between them, but on Dilla Jawns, it sounds like they reunited with their long-lost friend for another memorable session. Don’t look for highlights—just check stream it from top to bottom.
Laws – 4:57 (Don Cannon) [click to download]
Cosigns are helpful, but they can occasionally make benefactors lazy and fans close-minded. So on Laws’ latest mixtape 4:57, Grammy-winning production trio The J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League refuses to spoon-feed their major-signed artist with beats. They lend him two standouts (“Flashback,” “Run Away”) and take off the training wheels, and Laws keeps pedaling. Laws showcases his calling cards—punchline-laden laden rhymes and a multisyllabic flow—on the 9th Wonder-produced “Shining” and the DJ Khalil thumper “Hold You Down.” But 4:57 gets interesting when he takes a shot at the radio/club hits that his Warner Bros. label will undoubtedly ask for. Two songs find him equipped with radio-ready beats and choruses, and he ably handles both. He comfortably serenades over the silky keys and synths of “Vintage Futuristic 2,” and his ultra-accessible rhymes on the techno-hinged “My Chick” may upset longtime fans, but it’s a testament that he can still do what the song requires. With 4:57, Laws shows that he and JL’s relationship is mutually beneficial.
