The Sky Chronicles

The year 2009 in free music was epic, monumental and groundbreaking. In essence it may have sparked a new era in hip hop, the era of the internet download. No more going to the stores to purchase music. But registering for free music websites like livemixtapes.com and my favorite datpiff.com to get either underground artists or your favorite mainstream artists’ latest project. In this review we take a look at the top mixtapes released in the previous year and their impact. This list not only includes now mainstream phenoms like Drake and Lil Wayne, but artists who have gained a hug mainstream buzz from their free releases like Wiz Khalifa and Big Sean. These artists usually release a big mixtape (like these) to hype up their album or so that their underground and mainstream fans can get a free taste of what they are missing. Either way, ipods, zunes, and Dj’s everywhere salivate at the notion of free, great music from artists. And we hope this trending topic keeps shining in 2010.

10. Wale- Back to the Feature

The D.C. mc and twitter veteran Wale blessed us with this mixtape back in June. Co-produced by the legendary 9th Wonder, Wale and the many artists who worked with him on this, truly bring the new era artists’ talent to the light. The continuity of this mixtape is astounding working with artists like Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Currre$y, J.Cole, and Royce Da 5’9 and that’s not even the half of it. Though I admit some songs arent as fluid and lyrically inept as the others but overall this mixtape is a pure example of why his debut album “Attention Deficit” was a huge success.

Song to play on repeat: Rather Be With You (Vagina Is For Lovers) f. J Cole & Currensy (prod 9th Wonder)- This song tells the tales of just how good the G spot really is, J. Cole sets the tone with undeniable great bars. Throw in the hot spitta Curren$y and you will find yourself playing this over and over.

9. Trey Songz- I Be Like Yuup

An R&B artist??? Really? Yes, if he was perhaps the biggest artist of the year. Ever since his debut album I Gotta Make It Tremaine Neverson has blessing his fans with lyrical ballads and unmatched public appeal. But little do most know his underground music is also unmatched in the R&B game. I cant even count the number of mixtapes, (official and unofficial) he has on datpiff.com. This may have been his most notable one out of the many. And though it has some songs featured on his album Ready, the remixes and new material are also worth listening to especially the ladies. This is Trey Songz now.

Song to play on repeat: Bed, Bath and Beyond

Rumored to be on his album, yet this was left off of it. Still it’s a catchy good song. Set to make even the most uptight ladies leap for joy .

8. Lupe Fiasco- Enemy of the State

Short, simple, dope. Three words to describe Lupe’s prequel to Lasers. 12 songs, none more than 3 minutes long, and as Lupe declared on his website this was all recorded in one day. The things he can do in one day is about a month for most other artists. Lupe is a lyrical genius, forget hooks and features on this one, just pure lyrical content that will wrap your brain and have you saying “what the fuck did he just say?”. Its number 8 because well as stated before, its very short. But it will leave you guessing what is in store for the album, which still doesn’t have a release date yet.

Song to play on repeat: Angels Remix

Using the Dirty Money lead song as a way to freestyle on this dope beat. And of course since its Lupe its lyrically on point. If you love a great freestyle type song (I don’t know if Lupe wrote stuff for this song) though it keeps the hook, Lupe killed it.

7. Big Sean- UKnowBigSean

The new XXL 2010 rookie Big Sean (protégé of Kanye West) has made a big splash in the game already his mixtape UKnowBigSean which is a deluxe version of both album quality tracks and features and unmastered singles, gives us a glimpse of what to expect from him. He even sounds a lot like Ye which could be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it. Either way the 30 track mixtape will leave you wondering how good the Detroit native can really be.

Song to play on repeat- Mind Playing Tricks On Me

Yes he spit on the legendary Geto Boys track. In my opinion no freestyle on this song does it justice, but Big Sean did it as close as he could, which is a good thing. His story telling skills even as a freshman is noted and he rides the beat like a pro. Plus it was the first song ive ever heard him due myself.

6. Tyga- Black Thoughts

Is this the same dude who did Coconut Juice?? Yes Tyga has continued to do his thing since his debut album and now the Young Money member continues to grow. His best work since said album is no doubt his November release on datpiff.com. Since the relase the tape has received over 56,000 listens by fans and over 29,000 downloads. Tyga now positions himself as a key member in the seemingly endless Young Money family. Im just looking forward to the next album for him cause his growth is about as great as any artist currently in the game right now, real talk.

Song to play on repeat- Heaven or Hell

If you like a smooth instrumental over even smoother lyrics, Heaven or Hell will suffice. The song basically stating no matter Heaven or Hell we gotta make it. The lyrics or pretty much on point, and if you are a smoker this probably makes your smoking play list, im just saying.

5. The Cool Kids- Gone Fishing

Nearly 20, 000 downloads and more than 35, 00 listens? Yes Mikey and Chuck continue to do the impossible. Since their successful debut The Bake Sale the Chicago natives just continue to do what they always due, hit stages, perform dopeness and have fun. This mixtape embodies their renegade, who cares what you think ima do me, persona. With unusual and mind blowing production The Cool Kids bless you with ridiculous lyrical genius and nothing but intuitive personality. Honestly they are one of the best groups in Hip Hop that are still becoming noticed. Listen to Gold Links, Cinnamon and Jump Rope.

Song to play on repeat. -Pennies feat. Ludacris, Bun B

Any track with Luda and Bun is gonna be dope regardless. This updated version was used by 2k sports as the theme song for NBA 2k9 (Only the trillest game in 2009). Plus when you and Mikey and Chuck can you lose?? The answer is no!!

4. Wiz Khalifa - Flight School

This was a hard choice, which one Wiz’s mixtapes makes the list. His most recent one relased before his debut LP Deal or No Deal “Burn After Rolling” provided an array of original production and industry production that was remade to his own unique style. (Including arguable the best intro mixtape track of 2009). Then there was his joint mixtape with Curren$y How Fly, which also started off with the dope intro “Car Service”. Instead I went with the earlier of the three entitled Flight School. This tape will give you the basis of the Taylor Gang movement and what makes Wiz so unique. Original production and like I said before own personal style that you either cant get enough of or you will pass by. I choose the former, and I recommend “Dreamer” “Name On A Cloud” (which uses Pharcyde’s Runnin instrumental) and the always dope “Hollywood Hoes”.

Song to play on repeat: Shame

Slegdro must have been on something when doing this production. The beat is arguably the best on the tape. Coinciding with the fact the hook and the verses are arguably the best on the tape. Favorite line “All of my niggas rumble some better with the heat, you better keep the peace/ Its ink everywhere you see.” A reference to another song (not on the mixtape entitled “Ink My Whole Body”. In essence it’s the best song on the tape.

3. Drake- So Far Gone

Arguably the most critically acclaimed mixtape I have ever seen. After Comeback Season and right before he signed with Young Money, the release of So Far Gone made Drake a mainstream King. Radio stations played the songs constantly. Lyrics of every song were soon memorized, and one song in particular became the song of the year “Best I Ever Had”. Number 1 on itunes and the billboard charts and yet didn’t win 1 Grammy. I digress, the mixtape as a whole has an album feel, and Drake mixes his keen vocal ability on tracks such as “A Night Off” and “Houstatlantavegas”. Still his mc ability shines through. Though I still believe Comeback Season was his best work, So Far Gone was no doubt better received and embraced by his now many fans. (Thank Me Later his debut album set to release early April)

Song to put on repeat: Say Wats Real

The easy choices would be “Successful” and “Best I Ever Had”, but in my opinion out of anyone he used Kanye’s “Say You Will” instrumental, Drake was the most impressive. Going from how his privacy has been taken away since becoming big too discreetly saying he ghost writes for mc’s. The song will go down as a classic track off this mixtape hands down.

2. Lil Wayne- No Ceilings

It seemed as if the world was waiting for No Ceilings to drop. And the world was most definitely pleased when it did. Fresh off the news that Wayne was going to prison for a year off of gun charges, the news of the tape leaked out. And when the tape itself leaked out, listeners who expecting a classic (like Dedication2 type) were satisfied. Freestyles over “Wasted”, “Run This Town”, and “Ice Cream Paint Job” were key evidence in critics acclaim for stating that Weezy is the best in the game right now. It truly felt that Wayne was making another push after the mega success of The Carter 3. It is definetly hard to dispute that fact. It is only second for the fact that still some of the songs are skippable and like most Wayne mixtapes it isn’t fluid.(Which never seemed to hurt him before).

Song to put on repeat: Swag Surfin

Its always good to start your project on a good note. The intro track sets the tone for the entire mixtape.

In Wayne’s case this mixtape was set for greatness. A great (and I don’t use that word often) freestyle track. You can tell that throughout all the critics blasting Wayne’s use of autotune and his commercial appeal in songs, he still has the ability to rip any instrumental or production set before him.

1. J. Cole- The Warm Up

Another XXl freshman, but at number 1? J. Cole sits atop the list for two main reasons. First, his second mixtape (first was The Come Up) was basically in a sense his debut album. Most did not know that The Come Up was even out until after hearing this mixtape. The tape, as Cole stated in an interview, was set up as an album. And boy did he deliver. His lyrical content and flow is in a league of its own, plus it helps when you produce your own shit. (As well as getting production from the noted producer Elite for “Heartache”). Secondly the artist when making a mixtape is going for buzz as well. What bigger buzz can a up and coming artist get that to be signed off a song off the mixtape. Now grant it Jay-Z, who later signed J. Cole off the song “Light Please”, heard the song before it became the tape. But as arguably the greatest rapper alive to sign you off of one song?? You have to be great, and Cole is no doubt on the way. This may be the only tape on the list where you can listen track for track and not be dulled and bored. Every song provides metaphorical meaning and not to mention the self produced as well as other production is on point. We now wait for his album to drop in 2010. He is no doubt the hottest to come out of North Carolina. (Fayetville to be exact.)

Song to put on repeat: Dreams

Using the same sample Kanye West used for “Drive Slow” and putting a whole different lyrical twist on it, J. Cole makes this my favorite song off TheWarm Up. It tells the story of him searching, finding and plotting to get the girl of his dreams. I cant even begin to describe the lyrical content as nothing but great. Plus his spin on the production is similar but has a different feel than what Kanye used, which is a testament to his production skills. All in all the song will leave you in awe.

Other mixtapes to check out.

Drake- Heartbreak Drake 1 and 2

Nicki Minaj- Beam Me Up Scotty

Skyzoo- The Power of Words

Joell Ortiz- Covers The Classics

Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y- How Fly