Cam’ron & Vado – Boss of All Bosses 2.5
(DJ Drama)
Cam’ron has reunited his friendship with Jim Jones, but musically, the Harlem emcee is all UN now—but Boss of All Bosses 2.5 shows that this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The chemistry between him and up-and-comer Vado is approaching full swing, and the mixtape’s highlights showcase this. Opening tracks “Ya Lyin” and “Raise It Up” let them spit varying deliberate and bouncy rhymes, and the street flair of “It’s Our Party” is slightly reminiscent of The Diplomats’ glory days. Collaborations work without congestion as well: “Ya Killin’ Me” is a slow burner, which pairs their rhymes with a Kid Cudi chorus and a muddy Alchemist soundbed, the two spit heat alongside Fabolous on “I Don’t Believe Niggas,” and “The Council” lets Drama protégé Willie Da Kid hold his own alongside the duo. This is going to be a franchise that Cam and Vado will have to build brick by brick—especially with Cam’s illustrious Dipset history—but Boss of All Bosses 2.5 shows that they have a bright future ahead.
Cool Kids – Tacklebox (L.A. Leakers)
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The Michigan/Chicago duo of Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rocks is truly one of Hip Hop’s most interesting cases: since 2005, they have released mostly free mixtapes (only one paid EP) while eating off of packed shows, merch and licensing deals. But The Cool Kids have perfected their formula, and with their Tacklebox mixtape with the L.A. Leakers, it’s more of the consistency they’re known for. With a set of simple-yet-effective trunk-rattling beats by Inglish, the two drop infectious rhymes about women, clothes and cars—perfect music for summer riding. Songs like “Fishing Lessons” keep the lo-fi brashness Inglish is known for, but “Great Outdoors” showcases crispier drums, and “Strawberry Girl” displays further versatility with its techno-tinged backdrop. Chuck holds his own as a producer, but the highlight of the tape still comes with an instrumental from Ski Beatz, who pays tribute to Chuck’s minimalist sound with his percussive and spacey soundbed for “Birthdays.”
Royce Da 5’9” –Bar Exam 3: The Most Interesting Man (DJ Whoo Kid)
Between Bar Exam 2, his solo album Street Hop and his work with Slaughterhouse, Royce Da 5’9” is finally receiving the respect that his skill level demands. So with the third installment of his lauded mixtape series, he’s enjoying his place and showing more of his humorous personality. Don’t get it twisted: he rips the likes of OutKast’s “Bombs Over Baghdad” Rihanna’s “Hard,” and 50 Cent’s “Psycho” to shreds with his venomous flow and sharp punchlines. Original songs like the previous leak “Taxi Driver” and the Black Milk and eLZhi collab “Real Hip Hop” also bang. But Royce also uses BE3 to goof off: “I Hate Your Pants” is a sang persecution of skinny jeans, and the deceptively-titled and produced “In The Club” is an ode to fighting, not “beating it up.” Even “187,” his response to offending words from Saigon, is much tamer than the massacres of prior foes like Mistah F.A.B. The sly employment of DJ Whoo Kid’s comical commentary and scratches only add to the humor. Some will be upset with the switched demeanor of Bar Exam 3, but all in all, this is still the Royce that fans know and love.
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T.I. – F*ck A Mixtape (DJ Drama & DJ MLK)
Leave it up to T.I. to use original beats from Timbaland, Swizz Beatz and Jim Jonsin, and cameos from Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy on a free project months after being released from prison on weapons charges. Still, despite the album-worthy guestlist, this new offering still plays like a top notch mixtape. Tip hasn’t lost his penchant for anthems, as seen by “Whatcha Sayin Tip” and “Yeah,” while the Timbo-laced “Here We Go Again” showcases the buttery flow that the ATLien has perfected over the years. The hilarious “Get Yo Girl” sees T.I. chastising lames for mishandling their skeezers, and on “Once Upon A Time,” he recounts old hustling over a beat that would’ve fit perfectly on his breakout album Trap Muzik. The mixtape aesthetic is held together by Drama and MLK’s commentary and scratching, skits by the likes of Jamie Foxx and Lil Duval, and a hysterical shit-talking intro from T.I. himself. As he points out so many times throughout the project, T.I. could’ve easily said “fuck a mixtape” at this time in his career; fortunately for Rap fans, he didn’t.
Rick Ross – The Albert Anastasia EP
With his past couple LPs, Rick Ross has cemented a rep of describing the good life of a drug lord over the most elaborate, orchestral J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League beats that money can buy. But with The Albert Anastasia EP, Ross takes it back to the grit fans remember from his first single “Hustlin’.” His husky baritone is still intact, but for much of the EP, he opts for a set of harder, more brawny beats that embody the streets his rhymes are narrating. “Fire Hazard” employs murky horns and pianos, the minimalistic “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast)” sees him and Styles P spitting hard-nosed rhymes, and “300 Soldiers” pays homage to a Master P classic with its ominous New Orleans keys. Granted, Ross occasionally takes time off to enjoy the fruits of his efforts—“Sweet Life” features a lush John Legend beat and chorus, and DJ Clark Kent contributes a velvety, relaxed beat for Ross and Ne-Yo to recline over on “Super High”—but for the most part, The Albert Anastasia EP focuses on work more than reward. And the disc succeeds because of it.
Young Chris – The Network 2 (Don Cannon)
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It’s clear that Young Chris still doesn’t think he’s getting his just due as an emcee, and The Network 2 virtually runs as a non-stop display of bars set to earn that respect. Witty punchlines, a confident flow and short track lengths build a momentum that runs from beginning to end, and guest spots like Lil Wayne and J. Cole can only hop on for the ride before getting out of the young gunner’s way. Tracks like “Never Left” and the Cole-featured “Still The Hottest” showcase lyrical workouts, while “What Should I Do” apologizes to loved ones for hustling and “Heavenly Father” prays for perseverance. The Network 2 actually succeeds its predecessor, and is an early contender for most slept-on mixtape of the year. Hopefully, listeners start to wake up.
Red Café – No Witnesses (DJ Ill Will & DJ Rokstar)
Red Café just inked a deal with Bad Boy Records, and with No Witnesses, he shows what Diddy saw in him. Nothing about this mixtape makes him stand out from other young NYC emcees, but at least it showcases what he’s good at: clever, punchline-ready rhymes and an aggressive delivery. Solo highlights include “Who You Hatin On Lately” and “2010 Mentality,” but this tape is best when it conveys how well Café can hang with his more popular peers, like on “Chop Em Down” with Rick Ross and Busta Rhymes, or “I’m ILL Part 3” with Jadakiss, Fabolous and Lloyd Banks. This tape may not have much replay value after enjoying it once or twice, but it’s relieving to see that Diddy still recognizes spitters, and it should be interesting to see how he utilizes Red Café.
Pill – 1140: The Overdose (Gangsta Grillz)(DJ Drama)
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Pill had one of last year’s best tapes with 4075: The Refill, and on this new offering with DJ Drama, the Atlanta emcee reminds listeners of why his Asylum/Warner Bros. deal is deserved. Pill uses his distinct drawl and acrobatic delivery to wax poetic about trappin’ (the intense, Needlez-laced “On Da Korner”) and keeping women in their place (“Action,” which uses the beat to Usher’s “Lil Freak”), while keeping his tradition of paying homage to legends with tributes to Eazy E and Big Pun. Though it’s 26 tracks, 1140 doesn’t feel like an overdose at all: DJ Drama’s sequencing and pacing makes it move along smoothly. Another win for both parties involved.
PRGz – Hood Headlinaz Vol. 2 (DJ Booth & TrapsNTrunks)
This writer was a die-hard fan of PRGz’ cryptic car ode “Wood Grain,” but I’ve lost track of them since then. Thankfully, Hood Headlinaz Vol. 2 is a great reintroduction. This compilation of old and new tracks from the Huntsville, Alabama. quartet of emcees showcases what they’re best at: picking incredibly potent beats, and spitting dexterous, relatable rhymes. Flagship single “Anutha Night” meshes a guitar-heavy backdrop with rhymes about the highs and lows of consistent touring, and the club-ready “Keyshia Cole” names potent weed after the R&B songstress. Meanwhile, “Trap Like Mine” analogizes a drughouse with a woman. Otherwise, Hood Headlinaz Vol. 2 is full of feel-good, energetic tunes that embody exactly what Southern rap is known for. And PRGz has the talent to take the reigns as the next group to pop.
Raekwon – Cocainism v.2 (Brinks Boyz)
With Wu-Tang Clan veteran Raekwon, you usually already know what you’re going to get: stories and vivid imagery. And despite its brief 49-minute play length, Cocainism v.2 packs in details and visuals: Many of the songs are too short to follow through with full stories, so “City Of God” and “Traphouse” showcase splices of the murky, drug-addled scenes that Rae has skillfully narrated so many times before. But when Rae sits down for a complete song, he succeeds: “Lizz” remembers the allegiance of a down-ass chick, while the poignant “Keep On” somberly recounts lives crippled by drug use. With rhymes built for speed and for comfort, Rae keeps his winning streak going with this tape.
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