OK, I’m back. Now you’ve seen 10-6. Out of ALL the mixtapes I could possibly choose from, that was 10-6. Now everybody and their momma dropped a mixtape, so I guess I shouldn’t delay it any further and let you know what the top 5 mixtapes of the year were.
5. DJ Drama and Jim Jones- The Seven Day Theory
The second mixtape Jim Jones dropped this year was almost as good as the first one (hint hint). DJ Drama once again is at the helm with Jim Jones showcasing the whole Byrdgang on this mixtape as he was preppin’ for the third album “Hustler’s P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment), and y’all saw my review of that one. Max B., who recorded this mixtape shortly before being incarcerated on murder and conspiracy charges, had hooks that made you think it was cool privately, but you’d never admit you like the hooks to your friends. Stack Bundles, the newest acquisition to Byrdgang, proved that he was a perfect fit to the collective by making his presence felt over “Your Majesty” and “Cocaine.” Mel Matrix, although in my opinion still has a ways to go, didn’t hinder the project at all and even Jha Jha sounded decent on “Spit Ya Game.” But the main focus was Mr. Capo Status himself. Jim only heightened hype for his album with his skits and added a couple of songs like “Don’t Forget About Me” that wound up cracking the album. But he wasn’t done yet…
4. DJ Drama and Little Brother- Separate But Equal
Fresh off one of the best albums of ’05 in “The Minstrel Show”, a down, but not out Little Brother got together with the iPod king DJ Drama and basically vented out their frustrations over the mishandling of the album. Well, we should be glad they did, because it produced some very good music. The highlight of the record was for one, “Boondock Saints” featuring Chaundon and L.E.G.A.C.Y. where Phonte calmly rips apart Atlantic Records for the album flop. Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh both spit venom on “Hate” and “On My G” respectively. A surprise appearance by the Mighty Mos Def made the album a backpacker’s dream as 9th Wonder laced a tight track on “Let It Go.” With other appearances by Bun B and “Lovin’ It” standout Joe Scudda, this mixtape was the mixtape equivalent of Ludacris’ “Release Therapy.” You got to hear them let their true feelings be heard, but we also got to hear Little Brother do what they do best: combine ill beats with sick lyrics to make for a polished final product. Their new album “Getback” drops sometime next year. If it’s anything like this Gangsta Grillz, then there’s no way a label can drop the ball on this project.
3. Lupe Fiasco- Fahrenheit 1/15 Part II: Revenge Of The Nerds
Now if Chamillionaire capped off a year the right way, then Lupe Fiasco surely started it off the right way. The second installment of the Fahrenheit 1/15 trilogy was the best one, showing Lupe’s freestyle skills as well as crafting great songs. Part II, released nine months before the soon to be classic “Food & Liquor”, only increased his buzz as this internet-only mixtape was one to rip and pass off to the people for free. You had to hear this. “Lupe the Killer” was the best song on the album, though the controversial track on here was “Conflict Diamonds.” We now know where Kanye West got the “Diamonds From Sierra Leone” theory. Lupe Fiasco was masterful on Part II, especially after you hear the freestyles over “Still Tippin’” and “Hay (Smokin’ On).” Why this was deprived from being sold at your local bootlegger should have been a crime. When you hear the track “Much More” featuring Yummy Bingham, you just know 2006 was going to have much promise for Lupe the Killer… or the Jedi… After the material he dropped this year, just call him Lupe the Best Out.
2 Jim Jones Presents M.O.B. (Members of Byrdgang)
Like I said, Jim Jones wasn’t done yet. This was the mixtape that saved Dipset. After the commercial disappointments of Cam’ron’s “Killa Season” and J.R. Writer’s “History In The Making,” Jim Jones re-upped via the mixtape scene and introduced the world to the new crew featuring Max B., Mel Matrix, and Stack Bundles, fresh out of Desert Storm. This was the summer’s illest mixtape in NYC, where it was desperately needed. Although the monster hit “We Fly High” is taking off now, it was first introduced on M.O.B. This was vintage Dipset, you know, Dipset Vol. 1/ Come Home With Me- type of Dipset. The highlight was definitely “Ya Dig” where Stack Bundles shows why Dipset is not only rejuvenated, but ready to finally be the crew they were supposed to be post-Diplomatic Immunity. This definitely got the wheels started for Jim Jones BALLIN’ from the summer up to now. As for the rest of the Byrdgang, Max B. crooning on the hooks was hilarious, but it somehow fit the songs. Mel like I said could be better, but Stack stole the show on many occasions. M.O.B. will be remembered as the mixtape that revived the Dips if 2007 belongs to the Set.
And for my #1 mixtape of the year…
1 DJ Drama and Lil’ Wayne- Dedication 2
The more I go through all of the mixtapes that dropped this year, the more of a no-brainer this decision was. This was hands down the best mixtape. Lil’ Wayne, fresh off the platinum album “Tha Carter II,” decided to try to top the mixtape that restored his credibility. Teaming up once again with DJ Drama, he topped the predecessor with “Dedication 2.” Weezy F. Baby did not hold back on this record, showing that he is still getting better at his craft. Tracks like “Cannon (Remix)” and “Workin’ Em” made you wonder whether this was better than “Tha Carter II.” Young Money /Ca$h Money artist Curren$y shined, especially on his lead single “Where The Cash At.” His version of “Hustlin’” was crazy and if that didn’t get your attention, the two collabos with Juelz Santana made you think about how “I Can’t Feel My Face” is gonna sound like (it drops next summer). “No Other” showed Wayne and Juelz destroying the beat with punchline after punchline. This was the mixtape to have. This coulda been a top 10 album if released as such. Lil’ Wayne is supposedly dropping Dedication 3 sometime next year. The prospects of that being better than this mixtape are flat out scary. All kissing jokes aside (note: I don’t condone such behavior on Lil’ Wayne’s part), Lil’ Wayne showed how much impact a mixtape can make. This only made his progression as an MC that much more heightened. It makes a hip-hop listener look forward to what’s gonna be out there on the streets for 2007.
COMMENTS
yeah 4 sure lil wayne if he wasn´t number one of the best mixtapes then i did´nt know who it was
wow...I disagree but, whatever...there's some hot ones on the list.
Big ups for puttin' Little Brother's Seperate But Equal on the list though...that was my favorite joint of the year.
Wayne holdin' it down, "talk 2 da CANNON!!" He right about bein' da Best Rapper Alive
yeah weezy is the best. majority of these mixtapes are better than their albums. it seems like everybody spit better on a somebody else's beat
wut about the pharrell/dj drama? i thought he went hard on some classic beats
Weezy Baby was for sure gonna be on this list and twice the best rapper fuckin alive
yo there was hot mixtapes on there, but this list lost its crediblity for me because papoose wasnt on there, i guess him winning the best 2006 east coast mixtape artist wasnt enuff for him to get on here, especailly when he dropped at least like 6 mixtapes in 2006 that were fireeee
Dedication 2 is what should be used to set the standard. Every track on that tape was dope. I agree with chedo though, Papoose definately deserved to be on the list with joints like 1.5 Million Dollar Man and Second Place Is The First Loser. Overall, a pretty good list.
I think Papoose was fresh, but u gotta understand how hard dis list was 2 make, and give a lot of credit 2 Representer 4 puttin his own in it. 4 him 2 put Mixtape Messiah 2 in dat list within days of it being out, was pretty balsy, but it fit, so mad props. I woulda had da most difficult time with dis muffucka, and try not 2 put in my own bias, but some of da artist he did put, were fucken tight. I was shocked on DJ Drama & Little Brother's mixtape, dat shit was fire.
my nigga wayne on top theres only two niggas betta n one on his level.hov n nas got longjevity,cas is up there wit him if not next to him
theres allotta niggas on n off the scene that can spit its how u utalize your nollege n your craft.most niggas talk about the same shit in different words,that shit gets boring.
to chedo: Pap has gotten worse to me mixtape-wise. I'm tired of hearing Thug-A-Cation and each one sounds just like the previous one.
my favourite mixtapes on there were fabolous, little brother and lil wayne, what im sayin is how does jim jones make it twice on this list while papoose doesnt even get one spot? if u think papoose mixtapes sound the same then what does jim jones sound like to u and if u dont agree with that u must be deaf and dont really listen to papoose lyrics
dedication 2 was cold, but i dont know if it was better than the first one.
Wanyne wasnt as hungry for respect as he was on the first one. He spit real hard on spitter though those was two of the coldest verses ever spit
I LIKE THIS
WEEZY DONT FOGET DA F. NO DONT FOGET DA BABY
up up weezy my birthday is january i will be 17 i live in garner nc i would like you to do a preformace for me at 3806 cason st in garner thanks
Lil wayne was the shit
lil wayne one of the niggas who drop mixtapes like nothin........his mixtapes betta then most niggas albums.....
Sick list...I have all of those exept the M.O.B mixtape...not a big fan of Dispet but the 7 Day Theory was hot...But I def would have had revenge of the nerds a strong number 1 or 2...that mixtape was furocious...
niggas named their shit da 7 day theory. pac wannabe's. dat shit made me. create ur own shit. like the 3 day theory or sumthin. and for lil wayne, a lot of niggas dont respect his music cuz they know all dat drug and shootin talk dat nigga never in his life did it. or he would have said he did it on his first and second album. and his third album. he start talkin dat hustlin shit until he started listenin to 50 doin mixtapes and jay talk bout dat shit. him kissin baby in the mouth is gay. real niggas in the street and other rap niggas like dj's dont respect dat. dats why when dj's and rap niggas talk bout da best in da game, they leave wayne out of it. then u wonder why wayne hop on these interviews and stay sayin sumthin slick. a yo wayne if niggas dont respect u as a grown man then they not gonna respect ur music. u need to stop kissin and callin another man ur daddy, whos not
fuck lupe
fuck all em weak ass mixtapes why do yall niggas ride wayne dick so hard he's trash
Lupe Fiasco is wwaayy better than lil wayne................thats all i have to say
yes. hustlin off of d2 was fire
That whole list was weak word! Except LUPE! Damn this is why HIP HOP IS DEAD!
& Weezy say the same shit over and over and over and over! Forget Weezy where the real writers like Gillie?
I DONT CARE WHAT YALL NIGGAS SAY.... IF DEDICATION 2 WAS A REAL ALBUM, IT WOULDVE WENT 2x PLATINUM, BITCH!
YUP LIL WAYNE BETTA BE ON TOP OF ANY ONE'S TOPIC'S