Bobby Creekwater “Back 2 Briefcase 2″ Mixtape
Release Date: February 8th, 2010
Album: Back 2 Briefcase 2 Mixtape
Rating: N/A
Review: “Back 2 Briefcase 2″ is the follow-up to Creek’s 2007 mixtape “Back To Briefcase”. Bobby takes a shot at several different freestyles and remixes on the mixtape. One of the more impressive attempts is Farewell, where Creek spits over a recent Kanye favorite with a nice production twist. Some of the beats for the freestyles are little outdated which makes this sound like a mixtape but Creekwater’s flow is still commendable. A World is a good listen. So, “What is Bobby Creek about? …Bobby Creek is about rebellion. Bobby Creek is also about change. Bobby Creek is about the finer things in life, if you will. He is a man of the people. Oh… I almost forgot… cant forgot money, hos and clothes.” Creek also kills the recent Clipse jammer Popular Demand on the mixtape track 200 Grand. Listen to I’m So Cool for the one of the best tracks on the tape. Bobby Creekwater is currently working on his debut album “A Brilliant Mistake”. Although he is no longer signed to Shady Records, Eminem’s role in the upcoming album is unknown. This mixtape is hosted by DJ Greg Street and is “the first of no less than three Bobby Creekwater releases planned in 2010, with two more projects already taking form. Creek and DJ Don Cannon have recruited an impressive list of guest performers, including Currency, Mike Bigga, Stat Quo, J. Cole and newcomer Ci Hi Da Prince to join them on the highly anticipated third installment of the Anthem to the Streets series, due out before the summer.” So, keep on the lookout for more mixtape material from Bobby Creekwater as he readies his debut album.
Chamillionaire “Major Pain” Mixtape
Release Date: February 5th, 2010
Album: Major Pain Mixtape
Rating: N/A
Review: News broke a few days ago that Chamillionaire ”has decided to drop a new 18-track mixtape entitled Major Pain…despite a previous declaration not to make any further tapes” due to “label politics and the current overall state of the music industry.” Koopa acknowledges the decision is a matter of business necessity, a function of his independent role within the major label system. But, ‘feeding the fans’ with mixtape material is as much a modern day hip-hop necessity as it is an outlet for label-hampered creativity. Cham’s disagreements with his label execs are a consistent theme of the aptly titled “Major Pain” mixtape. You can pick up a physical copy of “Major Pain” for $12.00 from chamillionaire.com. Price Of Failure is an interesting lyrical play on Fifty’s Many Men where Cham emulates Fifty’s flow in the beginning of the song replacing the lyrics to represent Cham’s situation. Im’a Rep Texas is a freestyle over Roscoe Dash and Soulja Boy’s All The Way Turned Up and King Koopa definitely kills it. Feels Good is a laid-back track that represents hard for Texas. All Black is a short 1:20 track with an OJ Da Juiceman influence to it with a southern feel and an altered Biggie sample in the background. Pursuit Of Cream features Cham spitting over the remixed Angels joint that puffy and Ross just dropped. Cham states on Forgive You that the reason this tape doesn’t have original beats is because the “powers that be” were stifling his movement but he ”forgives the suits” lol. Check for Leanin’, Houston Up High and Triangle Formation. The last track on the tape is Story To Tell where Cham jokes that he wasnt supposed to leak the track. Cham recently announced plans to reunite with Paul Wall for a tour and he gives more details at the end of Story To Tell. Chamillionaire’s upcoming album ”Venom” is currently “set for March 16th” release. Cham explains on his website that “some samples didn’t clear so I lost a couple records, and some things may change but in the end my main concern will be that you feel like the product is dope.” Overall, “Major Pain” is a good mixtape offering from Cham that should keep existing fans excited and anticipating “Venom”.
Big Mike & DJ Thoro Present Cassidy “Apply Pressure 2″ Mixtape
Release Date: February 4th, 2010
Album: Apply Pressure 2 Mixtape
Rating: N/A
Review: Following an Intro that lets you know this mixtape is a movie, Cassidy spits an 8 minute freestyle after a short skit that jokes about Cass being too lyrical. Cassidy definitely spits non-stop flame throughout this mixtape. Dome Pushed Back features Big L and is a decent listen. Check for Put Ya Dutch In The Air featuring Cassidy’s artist Jag. Hold Dat is a good lyrical jam featuring M.O.P., also listen to the laid-back Over And Over Again as Cass lists his vices and his desire not to give in to them despite the fact that they keep happening “over and over again.” Cassidy’s artists Ar-Ab and Jag appear on several tracks including Mic Please, Always Strapped, Exhibit C, Hard To Survive, On To The Next One, I’m Ill, I Wanna Rock, Popular Demand, Whoa 2K10 and BlackOut. The freestyles appear toward the end of the tape and are enjoyable due to Cassidy’s unique flow. Check for Henny & Bacardi featuring Swizz Beats and definitely check the second half of the tape for the freestyles including Ride The Wave. Cassidy is readying “C.A.S.H.”, his fourth studio album that should drop sometime in 2010.
Maino
Release Date: February 2nd, 2010
Album: Unstoppable EP
Rating: N/A
Review: Atlantic Records’ artist Maino drops something for the streets with the 4-track EP “Unstoppable”. The EP was initially rumored to be a mixtape dropping in 2009 but was released as an EP on February 2nd, 2010 as confirmed by Maino’s Official MySpace. The EP is not to be confused with Maino’s “Unstoppable – The Life StoryOf Maino” DVD that dropped in the middle of 2009. The EP contains the single Get ‘Em Tiger which touches on golf start Tiger Woods and his recent circus show of extramarital affairs. The Realist is another track off the EP that has been previously released. There are two new tracks to check for, they include the upbeat jammer Gotta Luv Me and the more laid back and lyrical I’m Da Future. The EP drops amid news that Maino is attempting to “keep it moving” through recent “personal trumoil”. “Unstoppable” can be purchased directly from Atlantic Records for $3.99 and keep on the lookout for Maino’s second official album “The Day After Tomorrow”; the title was recently unveiled by Maino in an interview with MTV.
Lil Wayne
Release Date: February 2, 2010
Album: Rebirth
Rating: ★★★ (52 out of 100)
Review: Honestly this album is going to take a lot of heat for being an experimental rock album from the top selling hip-hop artist of our time. It’s like Jordan playing baseball… which is an appropriate reference considering a recent Wayne and Kobe collaborative interview in the newly restored Vibe magazine. The album is certainly not a classic rock album but how many modern 12-song rock albums produce three singles? Straight talk: although this album will be slammed critically its going to survive on an enormous cult-like Wayne following. The album went through what seemed like repetitive and indefinite push-backs and questions as to whether it would even come out. There was that issue where “Amazon accidentally shipped a small number of Lil Wayne pre-orders” too. Oops or clever publicity stunt? The latest single Drop The World featuring Eminem leaked on the Internet in the middle of December just after the release of the album’s second official single On Fire, containing a “Scarface” sample, a collaboration with Miami-based rock group MAYDAY and a rock-star music video. The first single off “Rebirth”, Prom Queen, is the original rock track from Wayne that got critics fired up. “Rebirth” is Weezy’s seventh studio album and it follows the success of his triple platinum “Tha Carter III” album with every indication that it will precede “Tha Carter IV”. Young Money artists Nicki Minaj and Kevin Rudolf contribute on the tape to the tracks Knockout and One Way Trip, respectively. Notable hip-hop producers Cool & Dre and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League share production credits with the likes of Travis Barker, Patrick Stump and Kevin Rudolf. Overall, this album is going to be remembered as the one Wayne gave us before the one we really wanted, such is the curse of being on top. But, this album isnt terrible and watch it grow legs on the charts.
Styles P & DJ Green Lantern
Release Date: February 2, 2010
Album: The Green Ghost Project
Rating: ★★★★ (83 out of 100)
Review: This is a real quiet release from Styles P & DJ Green Lantern that may have originally been confused for a mixtape. Apparently the original project was to drop November 17th of last year as per the press release but got pushed back until 2010. The streets have been patiently waiting though and for good reason, the project is a very solid joint album supported by seasoned production and some of the best hip-hop lyricists in the game. Production credits include DJ Green Lantern as well as Alchemist, Scram Jones, Statik Selektah, Buckwild, Dame Grease and others. Mainstream media completely missed this album so it’s difficult to find critical review for “The Green Ghost Project”, but the people’s aka customer reviews have been excellent with hip-hop heads praising the album and Styles P for his ability. Green Lantern holds down Sirius/XM’s Hip Hop Nation on Monday nights from 10pm ET to midnight and this past Monday he had Styles in the studio with him previewing the album. Most of the top-notch production does come from Green Lantern himself. Here’s what to check for: The first joint off the album Nothing To Lose featuring production from Green Lantern. Listen to Double Trouble featuring fellow LOX rapper Sheek Louch. The lone Alchemist-produced track on the album is Make Millions From Entertainment and its very good as well. Invasion is a track that was heavily circulated throughout the mixtape game a few months ago featuring Jadakiss and Junior Reid. Time Will Time is a strong NY creeping joint featuring Raekwon. Check for Legal Money also, it sounds like some classic NY ish. Other features include Tre Williams, Dwayne Collins, Noreaga, Uncle Murda, June Summers, S.I., and M.O.P.. This album is a major sleeper and is a definite pick-up for fans of fast-paced lyrical hip-hop and classic east coast rap.
DJ Drama & OJ Da Juiceman “O.R.A.N.G.E.” Mixtape
Release Date: February 1st, 2010
Album: O.R.A.N.G.E. Mixtape
Rating: N/A
Review: Oj comes out on the Intro to the tape addressing the haters and reflecting on the fact that “it’s been a long road for the juice”. The Intro actually sounds like we might be in store for something different from Da Juiceman but the first track Orange is pretty standard southern ATL-based hip-hop that will appease existing fans of OJ. The requisite “Ays” and “Oks” along with a repetitive hook “Orange, Orange” classify the first joint Orange and much of the rest of the tape. The tape is rich with features including Bobby V, David Banner, Jay Rock, Bun B and others. The track with Bobby V is a rap track with an r&b hook titled Do Dat that differs from the usual trap music. Touchdown produced by Drumma Boy is a jammer off the tape. Also check for the Jazze Pha produced joint Its A Go featuring David Banner. It has a nice beat with good drum rolls and bass. OJ seems to get consistent good production for his tapes, albums and street LPs and the “O.R.A.N.G.E.” mixtape is no exception. Party Started featuring Verse Simmonds is one of the more commercially satisfactory tracks on the tape. The second half of the tape is better. The big name features and recognizable produces all appear towards the latter end. Check for Gunshots featuring Jay Rock and produced by Southside. Also check for Where The Hoes @ featuring Bun B and produced by Fat Boi. There is a remix to Jason Derulo’s What U Say that is interesting too. Overall this tape is OK. It will appease existing fans of OJ Da Juiceman and give fuel to those not feelin’ Da Juiceman’s movement.
Bun B “No Mixtape”
Release Date: February 1st, 2010
Album: No Mixtape
Rating: N/A
Review: Bun B’s latest mixtape is “No Mixtape”. It’s a collection of freestyles, unreleased original snippets and lyrical showcasings. This tape will absolutely appease rap connoisseurs and existing fans of Bun B. It’s a very enjoyable listen due in large part to Bun B’s talent and ability to spit non-stop bars over a 28-track mixtape. It’s a lot of freestyles on the tape including tracks Trill OG, Transform Ya, One King, I Went In and several others. The most notable track on the tape is probably Pants On The Ground, which Bun B released in response to American Idol contestant General Larry Platt’s audition. “Bun B teamed up exclusively with MixtapeWire & KeepItTrill to release his highly anticipated No Mixtape. These freestyles have been coming from Bun for the past couple weeks, but here is the finished mixtape with a few added songs including production by Dj B-Do.” The tape is definitely enjoyable; Check for Gladiator Snippet and Countin’ Money specifically. Overall, “No Mixtape” is a considerable mixtape offering from Bun B, who plans to release “Trill OG” in 2010.
DJ Drama & DJ Sense Present Bobby Ray aka B.o.B. “May 25th” Mixtape
Release Date: February 1st, 2010
Album: May 25th Mixtape
Rating: N/A
Review: B.O.B. has a good grip on the emerging, futuristic aspect of the hip-hop game. This 16-track mixtape-album lives up to the hype that is B.O.B. AKA “Bobby Ray, Bob and Whatever”. Bobby Ray does not bite his tongue, his rap is opinionated and he sticks mostly to poppy, experimental production and lyrics. “May 25th” starts out with a fast-paced anthem Champion, which is self-produced. Check out Bet I featuring Playboy Tre, it’s a good southern track. Gladiators features J. Cole and is a must listen as well! Drama calls this track “Above the cloud music.” Don’t let the 80’s MTV theme artwork fool you, this tape rides all the way through. Another track to check for is Fuck The Money featuring Asher Roth and produced by Kanye West. The track is definitely some fire but sounds like it could be mixed better. The 2010 Skit has some insight from your boy Bobby Ray “I feel like this is 2 thousand and when… we as a generation are pushing the envelope a little bit further than what the industry standards can accomodate and because of that we have to treat the mixtapes like albums.” Other tracks to check for include The Rain, Don’t Feel So Good and Cool Side. The tape ends with B.o.B.’s new r&b single with Bruno Mars titled Nothin For You. The track was released and promoted as Nothin On You. DJ Drama and DJ Sense do a good job of not abusing the tracks with too many shouts making “May 25″ a good promotional pick-up from The Aphiliates and Grand Hustle. B.O.B.’s debut album “The Adventures Of Bobby Ray” is due May 25th.
Ludacris “Conjure (A Hustler’s Spirit)” Mixtape
Release Date: January 20th, 2010
Album: Conjure (A Hustler’s Spirit) Mixtape
Rating: N/A
Review: Luda open’s the tape by introducing “Conjure Cognac, the hustler’s spirit as I like to call it” and telling fans that his upcoming seventh studio album ”Battle Of The Sexes” is on the way. The first joint off the tape is a remix to Gucci and Plies’ Wasted but it’s really an advertisement for Conjure Cognac as all of the lyrics revolve around promoting the liquor. The whole tape is really a promotion for Conjure Cognac, from the cover to the Intro to the lyrics throughout and the four different Conjure Commercial’s on the tape. Patna Dem is decent; Luda’s verse is short but it rides and isn’t all about Conjure. All The Way Turned Up is a real strong remix too so check for it. Most of the tracks are remixes where Luda drops a verse or two but leaves a lot of the original material on the track. A good example of this is the track Bulletproof that contains basically the entire original song aside from a few bars at the end from Ludacris. Overall, this is more a half-hearted mixtape effort and pure advertisement for Conjure cognac than a bona fide street tape. It’s not even really geared towards promoting Luda’s upcoming album “Battle Of The Sexes” as evidenced by the exclusion of Luda’s new single How Low (or any confirmed track off the upcoming album) and the amount of recycled remix tracks. Luda’s flow is always sick but you basically get one Luda verse per remixed track and there’s only 14 tracks on the tape when you drop the Intro, Outro and Conjure commercials. If you’re a die-hard Luda or DTP fan you want to pick this up but you might want to down a bottle of Conjure first.
