Kid Cudi - Day N Nite (Sonixx Remix)

For a few short hours, Kid Cudi had released a new mixtape, cleverly tited: The '09 Mix. However, I was not fortunate to get a working download of the mixtape, and have to settle with this "Day N Nite" remix posted on Kid Cudi's website. I was really looking forward to hearing The '09 Mix when I first found out about it, and then pretty devastated when I wasn't actually able to hear it. But this remix was a nice consolation prize. Remixed by Sonixx, this version of Kid Cudi's hit single is a much grungier, albeit dancier Justice-like take on the song. Hopefully the new extended version of the mixtape drops tomorrow like it has been promised. If it does, I'll have it here asap.

Drake - So Far Gone Mixtape

So I don't do a whole lot of 'next big thing' posts, but this guy may be 'the next big thing'. This mixtape dropped early last month but I wasn't able to find it until a few days ago, and after hearing the hype, listening to the tape, believing the hype, I have decided it's my turn to perpetuate the hype. First and foremost, this is probably the most polished sounding mixtape I've ever heard. Although it is a rap album it's packed with R&B, indie pop and electronic influences. It sounds like Drake heard Kanye's 808s & Heartbreak and instead of dismissing it (as so many have) he decided to use it's aesthetic to start reconstructing how we define hip hop music. Drake even raps over the lead of track of 808s, "Say You Will". But at the same time, it isn't all doom, gloom and heartbreak. Although the first handful of tracks move a little slower and somber, by the time the tape is finished Drake has proven himself to be a dynamic new voice within the hip-hop community with a knock out combination of hip-hop egotism, heartfelt honesty and innovative, poetic lyricism. And oh yeah, the boy can sing too. So Far Gone features a really solid, if not puzzling guest list with mixtape essentials like Lil Wayne and Trey Songz as well as indie popsters Peter Bjorn & John and the artist formerly known as Santogold. Enough rambling. This mixtape is brilliant. Anyone who appreciates hip-hop, indie and electronic music should take notice of this album. This shit is, for lack of a better term, fresh.

Download Drake's So Far Gone mixtape.

Shout out to my buddy Kia for the tip!

Wale - Nightlife ft. Young Chris and Tre

Wale just released yet another track from his hotly anticipated Back To The Feature mixtape.  I originally thought this was the title from his debut LP, but apparently it's just a mixtape.  But in the case of Wale, there is no such thing as "just a mixtape".  This new song, "Nightlife", features Young Chris, Tre and some real slick production.  The funky bass groove and an electric horn section match the aesthetic of Wale's style to perfection.  With every song I hear of his, my anticipation for his eventual debut album grows.  I just hope he doesn't keep us all waiting too long.  Enjoy!

Lil Wayne Never Sleeps

If he did, there is no chance in hell that his output would be as insanely prolific as it is. Last week he brought us the Dedication 3 mixtape. This week we get The Drought Is Over Part 6: The Reincarnation mixtape. I just started listening to it and I already like it better than Dedication 3, but who knows what next week will bring. The mixtape starts with the infamous interview where Weezy explains that his next studio album will be called Tha Carter III, but will have none of the same songs as what we know now as Tha Carter III. He explains that he wants everyone to like Tha Carter IV and what he is working now simply isn't what Tha Carter IV is supposed to be...I guess. Best rapper alive? Sure. Easy to decipher? Not so much.

Ok, I'm a few more songs in. This shit is awesome, you gotta check it out.

Even if you aren't a Lil Wayne fan, you have to admit that is the single greatest album cover of all time. Lil Wayne has wings. And a baby. And a river of blood.

Download The Drought is Over Part Six: The Reincarnation.


BONUS: I have no idea what this song is from. It was labeled as being part of TDIOP6:TR but it certainly isn't on the mixtape. It's called Hot Revolver and he sings some Green Day lyrics and I have no idea what is going on, but it's really cool. Download it here.

Dedication 3

Lil Wayne with DJ Drama. just released his first mixtape since the release of Tha Carter III. I'll be real honest, I was not impressed by Dedication 3 at all. I thought it relied to heavily on other rappers and not enough on Lil Wayne himself. My first impression was actually that the skits where Weezy just talks were the best parts of the mixtape. Luckily, I took the time to go back and listen again. I was wrong. Dedication 3 is great. It takes about five tracks to really hit it's stride, but once it does it's smooth sailing for the rest of the album. The skits get funnier. The beats/samples get better. DJ Drama continues to refer to himself as "Barack Odrama". Wayne goes crazier. He say's it best himself:

"You get money and you get crazy. I get crazy and I get money."

Download it for free here.

New Wale

I've been busy, sorry I haven't posted lately.  I'll blame the music industry's lack of notable new stuff instead of blaming my overcrowded schedule.  Check it:  DC rapper Wale (pronounced Wah-lay) has just signed on to make a record with producer extrodonaire Mark Ronson (whose solo cover album was one of my favorite albums of last year).  If my math is correct, the combination of Ronson's slick producin' and Wale wit and lyricism should make his forthcoming album Back to the Feature pretty awesome.  This single, Warwick Avenue, features Duffy and is a pretty neat little jam.  Download the mp3 here and check it out for yourself.  

If you've never heard of Wale you should definitely check out two of his mixtapes.  The first, 100 Miles and Running features one of my favorite songs of the year: W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.  The song features the DC rapper spittin' over one of my favorite songs from last year D.A.N.C.E.  I never thought that Justice could be used as a rap beat, but I guess that's just a tribute to Wale's genius. The second mixtape worth checking out is The Mixtape About Nothing.   It's a Seinfeld themed mixtape.  'Nuff said.  Do yourself a favor and download The Mixtape About Nothing and 100 Miles and Running.  If nothing else you MUST hear W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.