Young Money Cash Money Presents Lil Wayne “No Ceilings” Mixtape
Release Date: October 31st, 2009
Album: No Ceilings Mixtape
Rating: N/A
Review: On October 27th, Lil Wayne’s latest mixtape offering titled “No Ceilings” partially leaked onto the Internet. The official tape followed quickly behind dropping Halloween day as planned. The official version is substantially similar to the leaked version except for the addition of 4 brand new tracks from Weezy. “No Ceilings” consists mainly of “jacked beats” as Wayne states in a viral video for the mixtape: ”I dont like to do real songs on there because those producer dudes be wanting their money…so, I just do shit thats already out… its easier that way.” Being modest and respectful, Wayne also denies killing other rappers on their own songs but the tape speaks otherwise. One of the new original joints from Wayne is listed without a title but features Birdman and Cool N Dre. There is still some confusion among the tracklisting resulting from the Internet leak. The new originals are ok, this tape is really more of a lyrical excercise from Wayne who proves that you can definitely still smell the “S” around him. Overall, Wayne does exactly what is expected of him as he kills popular tracks like Gucci’s Wasted, Jigga’s D.O.A. and Mario’s Break Up among others. For the average Wayne-head and everday mixtape peruser, this tape is a pick-up. Wayne’s flow and clever lyrics keep this tape interesting from start to finish. Keep your eye on Wayne as he continues to ready “Rebirth” and “Tha Carter IV” in addition to preparing for an upcoming year long bid stemming from weapons charges.
Dujon
Release Date: October 29th, 2009
Album: 19 Steps to Success Mixtape
Rating: N/A
Review: Toronto alternative hip-hop artist Dujon drops his first official mixtape with “19 Steps to Success” featuring his first single Not Too Much Fun featuring Kira Mae. One of the best tracks on the tape is the first joint titled U Know What Time It Is where Dujon displays some Lloyd Banks swag for a minute and ten seconds. Dujon’s flow varies from a whispery, boppy type delivery to a more melodic, r&b laced style of rhyme. Dujon is also a producer; he puts his skills on display with tracks like A New Day (DHB Remix) featuring Ashley Nicole, one of the better tracks on the mixtape. Gyasi Omari and P of Illyance roll through for support on the soulful track D.O.N.E. Check for Dujon’s remix titled How Could I Ever Love Again where he spits over Amy Winehouse’s Love Is A Losing Game. Dujon released a comical promotional video for the mixtape as well. Overall, this is a quiet debut mixtape release from a new-age hip-hop artist emerging from the unconventional Toronto scene. Keep on the lookout for more from Dujon and his cast of collaborators as Dujon prepares his debut album “Success”.
Sink To See
Release Date: October 27, 2009
Album: 2012 EP
Rating: N/A
Review: Sink To See’s new six song EP is a refreshing display of progression from the L.A. based So. Cal rock outfit. A longtime MTV synchronization favorite, Sink To See’s ”2012″ offers more of the atmopsheric rock sound the band is now known for. Every Little Thing is a great example of the band’s signature sound that should appease existing fans who may have took to the band on songs like Shine On and Speakers. A music video was released for the EP’s title song 2012, which is another characteristic song with a heavy bass line that explodes into a barage of guitar and melodic vocals. Check out Hangman with a different, almost southern rock influence and the acoustic inspired Death Of A Love. Overall, “2012″ is the latest success among a stream of other accomplishments by the still fully independent Sink To See. Check the band out on MySpace, where you can stream the EP or pick up a copy for yourself on iTunes.
Triple C’s
Release Date: October 27, 2009
Album: Custom Cars & Cycles
Rating: ★★★★ (83 out of 100)
Review: Maybe Triple C’s first official studio album hasn’t been on your most ‘anticipated albums’ list, but trust us this album has been a long time coming and represents a significant accomplishment for the Miami-based foursome including Rick Ross, Gunplay, Torch and Young Breed. “Custom Cars & Cycles” is really the first time the bosses’ supporting cast has been allowed to shine, stepping out from their behind-the-scenes role to a more visible presence not only in Miami but on the national rap scene. Nowhere is this more obvious than on the album’s lead single featuring Birdman titled Go, which boasts a grandiose music video and strong mixtape and radio support. The album’s likely second single is Erryday and features Young Jeezy, another high profile Southern rapper who is featured on the album alongisde cameos from Bun B., Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti and The Game. The Gucci Mane collabo is titled Trickin Off and is a straight banger supported by another slick music video. An older Triple C’s joint Yams is featured on the album as Part 2, this time spiced up with a verse from Yo Gotti. Yams is a signature track from Gunplay that is well-suited for his aggressive and off-balanced delivery. Road Kill is another highlight from Gunplay but is noticeably absent from “Custom Cars & Cycles”. The album represents the second official release from Ross’ Maybach Music Group imprint, which is distributed through Def Jam. MMG member and rapper/singer Masspike Miles is featured on the track Finer Things, which is a laid-back, smooth melodic joint. “Maybach” Miles is also featured on Hustla where he provides an addictive, Akon-style hook on the track. Other notable songs off the album include Diamonds & Maybachs featuring Suede Royale, Chickn Talkn featuring Mack 10 and Gangsta Sh*T featuring The Game. A recent XXL interview with Triple C’s summarized this album well; Ross said “this ain’t the Robin Thicke records, this ain’t the John Legend records, this not that.” Gunplay continued speaking on the bosses solo success giving way to Triple C’s opportunity saying ”that was always the plan…for [Ross] to crack the bank, and we come in with the duffel bags and collect the money.” “Custom Cars & Cycles” was well-supported by a host of mixtapes, viral videos and interviews. The album has also been visible through several high-profile beefs between Triple Cs and 50 Cent, Pretty Boy Flloyd Mayweather and most currently the recently freed drug trafficker Ricky Donnell Ross aka ”Freeway” Ricky Ross. Regardless of where you stand in all of the drama surrounding Rick Ross and Triple C’s amid their debut group album, “Custom Cars & Cycles” is a well-promoted, diverse Miami-rap album with the quality and variety to keep fans happy. For more information on Triple C’s or to pick up “Custom Cars & Cycles” visit the newly launched Triple C’s website or check out their artist pages on MySpace or Def Jam.
Play-N-Skillz “Recession Proof” Mixtape
Release Date: October 27th, 2009
Album: Recession Proof Mixtape
Rating: N/A
Review: Grammy award-winning production duo Play-N-Skillz drop their latest mixtape effort with “Recession Proof”, a hodge-podge of production showcases and attempts at lyricism. Lick You Up And Down featuring Slim of 112 is on the tape. Play-N-Skillz recently called up Slim to provide the hook on their new G4 artist Inertia’s breakthrough single Body which was co-produced by Jay & D of The Key Pushaz. Everybody Else featuring T-Pain is a tight, laid-back jam. The Salinas brothers make several attempts at rapping on the mixtape, most notably with Expensive. Lil Jon shouts out Play-N-Skillz on the more upbeat joint One Mo Gin that also features Krayzie Bone and Bun B. Head N Shoulders is another good track off the mixtape with Supastaar, Gorilla Zoe and Yung Joc all collaborating over a dope beat. Check for CNN by Shawty Lo and other tracks from Jay-Z, Ray J, Mannie Fresh, Slim Thug, Talib Kweli and Hurricane Chris, among others.
Young Buck “Only God Can Judge Me” Hosted By Bigga Rankin Mixtape
Release Date: September 16th, 2009
Album: Only God Can Judge Me Mixtape
Rating: N/A
Review: Strong Family Entertainment, Bigga Rankin & Young Buck bring you some straight Nashville street heat on “Only God Can Judge Me”. There are several exclusive tracks and undeniable bangers present on this 19 track mixtape. Without Me features 8Ball & MJG and is a real hard track so check for it. Buck Marley keeps it hood on the track Sellin Dope Again. Serve Me features Cruna and is a ‘must listen’ track that contains heavy drum rolls and ultra-clean production. Anticipatin is a good joint that has made it on several other recent tapes. “Only God Can Judge Me” rides hard with catchy jams like You Know I Got It featuring AllStar and lyrics from Buck that let the streets know he ”still got his skills in the kitchen”. Can’t Catch Me is another track that has circulated through the mixtape game and for good reason, it’s some straight new fire from Buck. On Somethin On My Books, Young Buck speaks to everyone locked down in the pen telling them ”there’s daylight on the other side”. Bigga Rankin keeps it moving with Play Foul featuring All Star and a rock/rap hybrid sound. Buck drops knowledge as to his street savvy on That Work. Make sure to check out Moneymaker: “I’m a Money Money Maker, I got that dirty money, don’t know where to spend it, so put this in your name shawty. I’m on the same block, smelling like yesterday.” YB has quite a few bangers and credible street anthems with consistently good production on “Only God Can Judge Me”. Check for Get High, where Buck expresses his drive and desire for money and be sure to check out the Shinin Down Remix featuring Lupe Fiasco, with its clean rock and rap feel. Props to Melli Mel, 250Plus Productions & Bigga Rankin. Go scoop this tape!
Chamillionaire “Mixtape Messiah 7: (Disc 1)” Mixtape
Release Date: August 4th, 2009
Album: Mixtape Messiah 7 (Disc 1) Mixtape
Rating: N/A
Review: Chamillitary mane is back with the seventh and final edition of the fabled ’Mixtape Messiah’ series. Chamillionaire has always maintained a strong grip on Texas, a hip-hop scene he was instrumental in putting on the map with atypical southern delivery and a successful slew of mixtape messiah tapes. Cham has taken a new approach to the modern music industry and instead of selling this tape he’s dropping it as an “authorized leak”. Cham picked a combination of old school beats such as Fab’s Breathe and new age remixes such as Drake’s Successful. The first track Famous featuring Famous is a pretty tight track that allows Cham to supply the hook and put his protege on. Internet Thugs Attack resembles similar versions of tracks that Koopa has used to take shots at “Internet gangsters”. Make sure to check out 100 Million over the original Birdman and Wayne track. The instrumental sounds like it should have been brought out a bit more, but Cham’s flow is tight. I Know Ya Mad features Bun B and is a track that absolutely warrants a listen; its a straight jammer. Denzel Washington featuring Z-RO is another tight track on “MM7″ that has been on the circuit for a hot minute. Chamillionaire also uses Lupe Fiasco’s Daydreamin, where Cham puts in a strong lyrical performance and does his thing. As usual, there are a couple of very funny skits; be sure to listen to the jewelry and bike skits. Cham’s Solo featuring Crooked I also makes an appearance on the track. Make sure to check out Dead Presidents where Cham spits steady flow over Nasir’s famous instrumental. Cham also spits fire over Kid Cudi’s Day N Night which is titled On The Grind on the tape. Cham puts Tony Henry on the track Life Goes On, a deeper track off ”Mixtape Messiah 7″. Make sure to give this tape a full listen and look out for the next few discs to be dropping soon. King Koopa ends the tape with an Outro speaking about how Mike Jones’ click ran up on him about 30 deep when he was with a couple of his boys and not with all his riders. Overall, this is a nice start to the final multi-disc installment of “Mixtape Messiah 7″.
Trey Songz “Anticipation” Mixtape
Release Date: June 30, 2009
Album: Anticipation Mixtape
Rating: N/A
Review: Trey Songz drops his latest 13-track mixtape as he prepares his third studio album “Ready”, which is currently scheduled for an August 4, 2009 release date. The tape is full of mixtape material. Not because the song quality isnt there, Trey Songz does a great job on a pretty straightforward r&b mixtape. But none of his rumored singles off the upcoming album are on the tape nor are any of the tracks with the big names features that will appear on “Ready”. But Trey Songz has a history of dropping crazy ass mixtapes; “Genesis” was his first official tape. This tape got mixed reactions from the Internet community, many from fans who are anxiously anticipating upcoming tracks from the album. Overall, this is a chill r&b mixtape the rides out. You can definitely throw this tape on and turn the lights off. Its worth the download and make sure to keep up on Trey Songz because there is more to come.
DJ Scream Presents Gorilla Zoe & Kollosus “I Am Atlanta 2″ Mixtape
Release Date: June 20, 2009
Album: I Am Atlanta 2 Mixtape
Rating: N/A
Review: Gorilla Zoe is one of the better ATL rappers and he drops the second edition of “I Am Atlanta” alongside Kollosus and DJ Scream. Zoe comes out speaking the truth on Hotlanta the intro describe how he is ”The hardest shit coming out of Atlanta”. The first track I Am Atlanta 2 features some fire production and tight work from Zoe, check it out. Where It’s At reps for the south and is another jam to look for featuring Rich Boy & Gucci Mane. Sh*t On Em has appeared on several tapes and has a touch of auto-tune throughout the track. Woozy is some street shit from Zoe and his flow and lyrics are official. On the track Cinco De Mayo Zoe dropped a video in the studio with DJ Scream, Kollosus and Block Ent. Zoe is also shown recording a track. Check the video out here. Settin Standards is another tight street jam to check out featuring Kollosus and Gucci. Eatin’ has some real good production and Gorilla Zoe talks about “eatin” aka making that money. Take It No Mo featuring Hustle Boy has a rock sound to it and its a banger to listen fore! ”I Am Atlanta 2″ is another tight mixtape from Zoe, DJ Scream and Kollosus. Make sure to check out Rap Game Easy from Kollosus and the bonus track Paper Tags.
50 Cent “War Angel LP”
Release Date: June 16, 2009Album: War Angel LP
Rating: N/A
Review: Fifty’s latest street LP known as the “War Angel LP” provides hope for those who have been waiting for a return to 2003 form from the Jamaica, Queens rapper. The first track off the Street LP is titled I Line Niggas and its a harder, angrier marching-type track from Fifty. Talking In Codes is a nice track from Fifty, who has his delivery under control on the track where he quotes Tony Montana rapping ”you die nigga die, fly pelican fly.” Fif takes a page from Eminem’s book with his flow on OK, Ya Right where 50’s rhyme-style is more playful and experimental than the usual direct and deliberate spit that is characteristic of Fifty Cent. Fifty brags that he “blew a hundred G’s on his bitches in Miami” on the track which transitions into Redrum (Murder), a nice classic joint where Fifty displays some variety but still remains true to the old school sound. C.r.e.a.m. 2009 is a straight banger so dont miss that track. I’ll Do Anything and London Girl are slower r&b type tracks that Fifty says are “for the bitches.” We really like Better Come One Your A Game because Fif’s delivery is on-point and its one of those old-school tracks that doesnt try to be more than what it is… good NY gangster rap. Get The Message has a nice sound to it too, the beat sounds like something G-Unit radio producer MEAN DEAN would have put together but the beat was actually produced by Green Light Music / BMI producer Chinky P. Robin Thicke is the lone feature on the LP and Thicke’s vocals are featured adjacent to Fifty’s whispering rap delivery on the track Cocaine, which begins with everyone’s favorite audio snippet from the motion picture “Blow”. The track is a little bit flat but still a interesting record from Fifty and and Thicke, who have found prior success working together. Overall, this tape is a welcome new offering from 50 Cent, who is feeding the streets in preparation for the release of his fourth official studio album titled “Before I Self Destruct”, which is currently scheduled to drop on September 8th, 2009. The front and back cover art is totally wicked too! Check it out.
