Well, 2006 has seen its ups, downs, and everything in between. Whereas only T.I., Gnarls Barkley (Cee-Lo is hip-hop, therefore the album was, open your minds), and Jay-Z were the only million-selling artists this year, hip-hop had its lion’s share of artists that coulda done better (Lupe Fiasco, Ray Cash, Ghostface—TWICE!). However, in the mixtape scene where album sales mean nothing and we can judge the mixtape for the music, hip-hop definitely looks healthy on that aspect. Here are my top 10 mixtapes for this year. If you agree, great, if not, I’ll keep an e-mail account to see how you guys can convince me otherwise.
10. DJ Clue and Fabolous- Fabolous And The Street Family Present Loso’s Way: Rise To Power
This double CD mixtape let us know that 1. Fabolous is still around and 2. Fabolous is hungrier than ever.
The BK rapper who signed to Def Jam this year dropped this gem in February. The 24 tracks showed Fab showing the versatility people have been demanding from him on his albums. Whether it’s catering to the ladies like he does with songs like “Baby (Remix)” with Lil’ Mo, “Don’t Forget About Us (Remix)” with Mariah Carey and Styles P. or going straight gutta with his interpretation of the Jay-Z classic “Can I Live” featuring Ransom, Stack Bundles, Paul Cain and Jaz, Fab made people start to wonder when he’s dropping his new album (February 13, 2007 is when From Nothin’ To Somethin’ is supposed to drop) and reassuring us that the best is still yet to come.
9. DJ Drama and Young Jeezy- I Am The Street Dream
A lot of y’all are probably saying, “How is this #9?” Well that goes to show you what the rest of my list will be like, because this was flames. After a so-so Gangsta Grillz with “Can’t Ban The Snowman”, Jeezy took us all back to school and enrolled us in the course of Thug Motivation 102 with this one. Some songs on here had you wondering why he didn’t put them on The Inspiration. Songs like “Sing Along” with the anthem-like beats made me wonder if Jeezy could really pull off topping his previous work. I wouldn’t be mad if someone said he did. This combo of Drama and Jeezy is too lethal for the game and did what a mixtape should do: build anticipation for your album. This mixtape was so good, when it leaked, I had a decision to make as to whether I should listen to this, “Kingdom Come”, or “Tha Blue Carpet Treatment.”
8. DJ Big Mike, SAS, and Steve Stash- Coming To America
Dipset’s best kept secret finally made some noise this year with the first mixtape since their Streets All Salute album (well sort of). The brothers from the UK put out a “best of” to go with some new stuff they’ve been working on since they were barred from coming to the states (hence the album title, but they should be allowed to come back to America around February as they are in a bidding war between Def Jam and Atlantic). The Twin Towers as they are called showed they can freestyle like Americans and make hits like Americans as well. Mayhem and Mega told y’all they were coming on “Coming To America Pt. 2” and put out a heatrock with “I Ain’t Inna That” featuring CTE upstart Slick Pulla. Pending they don’t get into any more legal trouble, the U.S. might just be saying “Oi Oi! London Boooooyyssss!” in 2007.
7. DJ Whoo Kid and 50 Cent- Hip-Hop Is Dead (G-Unit Radio Part 22)
Before Nas dropped a gem of an album under this same title, 50 Cent swagger jacked this title and used it to show he wasn’t dead yet (musically). 50 went back to what made him loved by everyone, even though at times he regressed back into why people dislike him now (note: never have Hot Rod on a mixtape again. I’m serious. He makes K-Fed sound like Hov fresh off “The Blueprint.”) 50’s remakes of Fergie’s “London Bridge” and Omarion’s “Entourage,” made him sound like he did entering 2003, and man are those days necessary. Although we saw the G-Unit craze die off in 2006, for a moment, or in this case, a mixtape, 50 was alive. Hopefully he picks up where he left off on his new album “Before I Self Destruct” supposedly coming March 20th of ’07.
6. Chamillionaire- Mixtape Messiah 2
Yes. The wait is over. I just listened to this for the second straight time. This is a top 10 mixtape. The leader of the Chamillitary showed that his first Mixtape Messiah was no fluke and this capped off what was a great year for Cham. “Ridin’” was a #1 hit this year that I found unlikely initially, but “Ridin’ Overseas” featuring Akon was great on the first listen. His “Roll Call Reloaded” was absolutely clever, something we don’t hear everyday. The man of a thousand flows was all over the map from murking AZ’s “The Format” to Nas’ “Hip Hop Is Dead.” The first Mixtape Messiah made me a believer. This second mixtape might just gain more fans as he preps for his new album “The Ultimate Victory” (tentative date: March 27, 2007). I could say so much more about this record, but this is one that you just play and let the music speak for itself. No DJ talking all over the beat, no fillers, just crazy music. As this came out Christmas Eve, what a way to finish this year.
If this was 10-6, then imagine what 5-1 is gonna be like. Stay alert, guess my top five, and wait and see what it’ll be. Til’ then, I suggest you run to your local bootlegger and cop all these mixtapes. Trust me. I suggest nothing but the best.
COMMENTS
Hat's off 2 Representer 4 puttin' in work and doin' all dis, I'm diggin' King Koopa's M.M. II.
u should Check out: Art of War: Volume II, mixed by M1 of Dead Prez.
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