February Mixtape Rapup

So I’ve been thinking about doing a new feature showcasing the best of the best of mixtapes.  This is the first one featuring tracks that popped up last February either on mixtapes or freestyles or what have you.  I may not do a full fledged writeup on everything and I am debating on making this a monthly or weekly thing.  I don’t think there’s enough quality material for a weekly post.  I will not be posting leaks or album tracks howeve unless they are remixes.  Also a billion mixtapes come out every month so I’m just trying to post some of the stuff I was able to comb through and come up with that I thought was top notch.  I’ll try adding the links to the mixtapes a little later, or you can search em out on your own if I don’t get to it in time.

9th Wonder and Method Man: Babydoll Remix

From: 9th ReInvented the Remix 2

First up is 9th Wonder with a remix of Method Man.  This track is almost a little more bouncy than some of the stuff 9th has been putting out lately and is it too much to ask he produce a Wu-Tang Album?

Drag-on: Robodrag

I used to love Drag-On back when I could stand DMX and he wasn’t getting arrested for pretending to be the FBI or abusing dogs.  Drag-on came up right around the same time and I remembered him as being legitimately good before he fell off the face of the earth.  He has a new album coming out soon and this is one of the best freestyles over a Lil Wayne track I’ve heard in forever.

Feroz: The Tonight Show

From: The Invisible Man mixtape

I don’t know much about Feroz but this track is crazy solid.  He reminds me of a lot of the late 90s Rawkus MCs in the best way possible.

Mistah F.A.B.: Ungrateful

From: Prince of the Coast mixtape

This would be hot just with the beat and faB but the line about Jay-Z was fantastic.  I have always wondered why outside of the Bay Area and that brief moment where he rapped over the Ghostbusters theme – Mistah F.A.B. hasn’t had much notice.

Pill: Thoughts

From: 11:40 the Overdose (not sure if this is out yet)

Originally heard a variation of this sample only less fuzzed out on a Rhymesayers track, either Ali or Slug.  Pill like Killer Mike and Jeezy sounds angry as hell on his tracks and it works.  I love Atlanta hip hop.

Reks: Down Like That (Lawtown)

From: In Between The Lines mixtape

I think its a shame outside of Boston and Statik Selektah most people haven’t heard of Reks.  His last two albums produced mostly by Statik Selektah were filled with great production and rapping and even had an assist from DJ Premier.  It reminded me of the early 90s and Gang Starr (Good news if you hadn’t heard Guru’s awake).

JD Era: First and Last

From: TH1RT3EN

I had heard a little bit about JD era here and there.  He’s been around for a little bit and his work on Th1rt3en is hit or miss but tracks like this make me think he’s got NBA draftlike upside.  This track also had an assist from Boi 1da.

Let me know if you’re digging this feature or if its all just garbage.  If I do it again expect it to go a little deeper, 10 tracks maybe and be a little more comprehensive.