Kevin: Though the term “mixtape” is still used, the actual product behind it has actually changed so much through the years. A lot of mixtapes these days consist of new music and are often unmixed. A lot of hard work goes into today’s mixtapes and some artists spend just as much money on them as they would a retail album. In 2009, Emilio Rojas gave us, not one, but two solid mixtapes that could easily be called albums. Drake’s mixtape was so good, his label released the original songs to retail as an EP! Lot’s of great music here…
Justin: CunninLynguists dominated the year with 2 volumes of their Strange Journey that only makes the anticipation for a new album off the charts. Suga City wowed me with their Black Friday mixtape, reminding me of when I first heard G-Side. J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League provided Laws with some heat as he announced he was Your Future Favorite Rapper and Mick Boogie was hard working in 09 yet again.
Thomas: Some of the best music that has come out within the last few years was found on Drake’s mixtape. He was able to showcase his skills as a singer and emcee all in 18 tracks. The mixtape was able to garner radio spins and earned him a nationwide tour without a label deal. Hate or love him many are awaiting for his debut album, Thank Me Later to drop to either Hate or Love it! J. Cole, Sean Price, Joell Ortiz, and eLzhi round out my top five as all emcee’s dropped doped mixtapes this year as well.
Kevin
01. Emilio Rojas – The Natural
02. Drake – So Far Gone
03. Emilio Rojas – Recession Proof
04. Freeway/Jake One – The Beat Made Me Do It
05. Donnis – Diary of an ATL Brave
06. The Blueprint Reconstructed
07. Fashawn – The Antidote
08. Lupe Fiasco – Enemy of the State
09. Low Budget Crew – The Budget is Low
10. DXA – The Movement
Honorable Mentions:
* DJ Jazzy Jeff – He’s the King, I’m the DJ
* Quite Nyce – Hello, My Name Is Quite Nyce
* Rashid Hadee – 808s & Hadee
* Reservoir Dogs Mixtape
* M.Will the Shogun – A Journey Through Space & Time
Justin
01. CunninLynguists- Strange Journey Volume 1
02. CunninLynguists- Strange Journey Volume 2
03. Suga City- Black Friday
04. Laws- Your Future Favorite Rapper
05. Elzhi- The Leftovers
06. Mick Boogie w/ Peter Bjorn & John- Re Living Things
07. Freddie Gibbs- Midwest gangsta box frame cadillac muzik
08. 4-Ize- Illuminated Animals
09. Willie the Kid- The Fly
10. Pill- 4075: The Refill
Honorable Mentions:
* D.Julien- The Experiment
* Max Minelli- Backpack Dreams & Hip Hop Wishes
* Fashawn- The Antidote
* Mick Boogie & Terry Urban – Le Da Soul (20 Years of De La Soul)
* Buff1- It’s a 1derful Life
* Raekwon- Blood on Chef’s Apron
* J. Cole – The Warm Up
Thomas
01. Drake – So Far Gone
02. J. Cole – The Warm Up
03. Elzhi- The Leftovers
04. Sean Price – Kimbo Price
05. Joell Ortiz – Covers The Classics
06. Fashawn – The Antidote
07. Freddie Gibbs- Midwest gangsta box frame cadillac muzik
08. Lupe Fiasco – Enemy of the State
09. Raekwon – Blood on Chefs Apron
10. Skyzoo – The Power Of Words
Honorable Mentions:
* Wale – Back 2 The Feature
* Pill – 4075 The Refill
* Rashid Hadee – 808s & Hadee Mixtape
* 50 Cent – War Angel
* Rasheed Chappell – The Chappell Show…The Lost Episodes Vol. 2
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Elzhi’s joint came out of no where. Repeated plays for a week. Had to be on the list.
Fashawn and ALC got this. It was short, but possibly my favorite all around release in 09.
WHY ISN’T JOELL ORTIZ – ROAD KILL MIXTAPE ON HERE? THAT SHIT WAS THE SICKEST I’VE EVER HEARD JOELL SPIT!!
lol Thomas you’re the only Drake fan here?
wheres Wale back to the feature!!!!!!
aaawwww man. that was on constant rotation when it dropped
anything 9th wonder really
tight lists though
Alright!!! I see the DXA mixtape made the list…Happy New Year!!!
Wale is on my Honorable Mention list. I am a Drake fan. I think he makes great songs. I might be the only one to admit I like his music cause it isn’t “tough guy like” to dig his music. LOL.
I never thought of putting Road Kill on the list…not sure why. Covering the Classic is dope stuff tho.
lol i feel ya i like drake
i mean alot of people automatically write him off because he’s mainstream or whatever but good music is good music
Kev thanks for postin up our tape on the list. im a check the rest of these tapes that i havent already downloaded. hope you keep it just as fresh in teh 10!!!
Chaundon – Black Dynamite’s Revenge and Curren$y/Wiz Khalifa – How Fly were also great. Really feelin the lists tho!
Reservoir Dogs was awful, and disappointing, because of the DJ drops. I was so excited about that one too. I ended up deleting it after a listen or two, it’s annoying to have to drop the volume all the time to avoid getting screamed out of your car or headphones.
It Was Late But Chip Tha Rippers ’s Cleveland Show Was 1 Of The Dopest Mixtape I Heard In A While!
Jermisides Mixtape!! and the antidote were illin
Thanks KN, can’t wait until I get you the new material and projects
Werd Up! DXA all day, everyday!
no charles hamilton? #fail