Plies-I Fuck With The DJ Mixtape

One artist who has really started to come back to the Mixtapes hard this past year or so is Plies. For a few years, he would have the occasional song or two on a mixtape. Now, recently, he dropped official ones with DJ Scream plus a few by himself. Plies is working hard to maintain his relevancy in a game that has fickle fans, where rappers are hot one day and then forgotten about the next. These new mixtapes have shown Plies to have an ever improving rap game, and the beats are always on point. This new official mixtape, "Plies-I Fuck With The DJ", features eleven brand new cuts, like the new banger "Preacher's Daughter" with cohort Gucci Mane, the heater "In Da Building" which basically just reps Plies and his goon squad, "The Ghetto", "Down Bitch" with Lady and more. Every song is new and every song obviously took some time to make. Plies fits into a niche for people who like their raps not too over-intelligent, but more just about girls and jewelry. His association with DJ Khaled, Jeezy, Lil Wayne, etc has definitely helped his career greatly by getting him in front of many would-be fans who would never have heard of him otherwise.

Dame Grease DJ Delz Max B French Montana-Wave Gang 7

I am a huge Max B fan. I have always felt that the Hip-Hop Mixtapes that Max dropped before his incarceration were some of the absolute best mixtapes ever dropped in the game. Max B is not only a great rapper, but he sings his own hooks with an excellent singing voice. He also guested on many other rappers tracks, where he brought tracks super heat just from his appearance. He also helped Jim Jones not only create his two best albums but his classic DJ Drama Mixtape "The Seven Day Theory" had Max all over it. Unfortunately, Max was put away for Conspiracy To Commit Murder, a case which he is fighting on appeal to this very day. This new mixtape, "Wave Gang 7", features new cuts from Max, his partner French Montana (who also is a beast in this mixtape game), Dame Grease and DJ Delz. Hot joints include Max B "I Don't Wanna Know", Max B "Make Me Feel Better", Dame Grease and Bigga Threat "I'm Charlie Sheen", French Montana "Poppin' Tags", Al Pac and Mack Mustard "The Hardest", plus new cuts with Rick Ross, Maino, Slim Thug and Masspike Mails. Hopefully my dude Max will be free soon. Until then, these mixtapes keep him alive in the streets...

DJ White Owl-Street Kings 6 Nate Dogg R.I.P.

The recent passing of one of the most talented RnB singers ever was a great loss to the hip-hop world. Before there was ever an Akon, a T-Pain, a Trey Songz, etc there was Nate Dogg. He collaborated with EVERYONE in hip-hop, from Eminem to Fabolous, E-40 to Kurupt, Ludacris to Snoop Dogg, and everyone in between. Nate's voice is well known for making many many mediocre songs become top-notch with the addition of Nate's super soulful and recognizable vocals. Brand new mixtape, "DJ White Owl-Street Kings 6 Nate Dogg RIP", was dropped right away to commemorate the passing of a great artist. This mixtape shows a great cut of Nate's career and all of the artists that Nate worked with over his long career. Tracks include classic "Regulators" with Warren G, "The Next Episode" with Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg, "Ain't No Fun" with Snoop Daz and Kurupt, straight banger "Till I Collapse" with Eminem, "Times Up" with Jadakiss, "Where I'm From" with Game, and many more. Rest In Peace Nate Dogg. You will be sorely missed and your spot will never be filled.

DJ Smooth Denali-Let's Dance House Mix

DJ Smooth Denali mixtapes are a personal favorite of mine. Smooth Denali is an old-school DJ. Not meaning he does all old-school music, but he is from the old school of DJ'ing where the DJ's can use a turntable, where they are actually skilled at blends and beatmatching and such, when DJ's had a crazy grip on new school, old school, instrumentals, RnB, etc. Smooth Denali works very hard to create great mixtapes, and his brand has been well known for years now as being one that is true and strong. His product is far superior to his competitors. His new house mixtape, "DJ Smooth Denali-Let's Dance House Mix", features the best of the brand new House joints to keep your party rolling and moving with no breaks and no uncomfortable silences. New cuts like "Watch The Club Go" from DJ Bam Bam, "Hey Baby (Drop It To The Floor)" from Pitbull and T-Pain, "Falling Down" from Space Cowboy, "Sexy Bitch" from Akon, "Ride" from Michael Mind, "Trouble With Me" from Black Legend, "Knobbers" from Crookers, and tons more. While Smooth Denali usually focuses on Hip-Hop and RnB, his House skills are quite evident with this release.

DJ Spinatik-Young Dro Equestrian Dro

One artist who has worked hard to show himself worthy is Young Dro. Being the first artist that T.I. officially cosigned and the first signing to Grand Hustle Records after T.I. himself, Dro has had to grind with the best of em to stay on top. After a lackluster debut album with a few hits (like "Rubberband Banks") Young Dro started to pursue the mixtape circuit and really hone his skills. Young Dro mixtapes have improved greatly over time, and with each release it is not hard to see the work that this young spitter has put in.



This official mixtape, "DJ Spinatik-Young Dro Equestrian Dro", features the absolute newest official material from the Grand Hustle prince. New bangers like "Money Machine", "Check Out My Swag" with Travis Barker, "Polo Down", "Strip" with T.I. and Trey Songz, plus many more will prove to you that Young Dro is having no problem holding down the Grand Hustle throne in the King's absence.

DJ Prophecy-Deep Fried Blends 3

Blends mixtapes are some of my favorite mixtapes. It's always interesting to hear what a DJ can come up with when they are left to their own creative devices. Whether the beats are matched perfectly, and what crazy songs are they gonna mix up. I have heard RnB mixed with hip-hop that you would never think would ever work and it came off flawlessly. That's all in the blend game.

This new mixtape, "DJ Prophecy-Deep Fried Blends 3", is a great example of some excellent Southern blends. This whole mixtape flows hard from front to back. Cuts include Pimp C (R.I.P.) Mike Jones and Bun B's throwback classic "Pourin Up", Young Dro Gucci and T.I. "Freeze Me", Travis Porter's sneak hit "Make It Rain", Mike Jones old banger with Snoop Dogg and Bun B "My 6-4" which pays respect to Cali-type classic low riders. Plus blends from Juvenile, Webbie, Lil' Jon, Juicy J, Youngbloodz and more. This is a solid blends mixtape and this entire series has been great so far. Good work, Prophecy.

Tapemasters Inc. Evil Empire-Power Part 7

If you want a strong Hip-Hop Mixtapes series, check out the "Power" series from Tapemasters Inc and Evil Empire. This series focuses alot on fresh new East Coast material, picking only the absolute best of the best new stuff and laying them on you, track after track. I got hooked with Power Part one, just throwing it in one day to check it out, and I couldn't believe how good it really was and how many songs I had not heard. Since then, I have listened to every volume as soon as it dropped.

This new one, Power Part 7, continues in the same tradition as it's predecessors. New cuts like "What It Is" from Jadakiss, "Molasses" from Raekwon with Rick Ross and Ghostface, "Run Up On Me" from 50 Cent, "Fly Away" from Eminem (super banger), "Fly Like The Wind" from Lloyd Banks and Jim Jones, plus Fabolous, Cam'ron and Vado, Maino, Nas, Styles P, Fat Joe and many more. This entire series is strong. Check them out.

DJ Envy-"The Hitlist 49"

One of the most popular Mixtape series is easily DJ Envy's super successful "Hitlist" series. Envy brings you all of today's hottest hits, no shoutouts, no break in the music. Everyone loves these. They are perfect for parties, where you really don't wanna have to cause a break in the party by the music stopping or radio commercials. Also when you just feel like taking a nice long ride and not hearing incessant advertising, these just flow smooth front to back, with all songs that you know and love.

This new volume, "DJ Envy-The Hitlist 49", features new heat like "6 Foot 7 Foot" from Lil Wayne and Corey Gunz, "Welcome To My Hood" from DJ Khaled with Ross Plies Lil Wayne and T-Pain, "Moment For Life" from Nicki Minaj and Drake, "All The Lights" from Kanye West with Rihanna and Fergie, "Down On Me" from Jerimih and 50 Cent, "Sure Thing" from Miguel, plus Jennifer Hudson, Chris Brown, Jamie Foxx, J.Cole, Keyshia Cole, Ne-Yo, Snoop Dogg and more.

DJ White Owl-Street Kings Part 5 Jadakiss

One artist who has never been scared to put in work on the mixtapes is Jadakiss. Jadakiss mixtapes have been absolutely instrumental in building his career and showing the fans that he is easily in the top five rappers in the game. Jadakiss has a gift for not only painting a picture, but even just how he describes things, from the Pepsi-colored coupe to the Nikes to the memories of childhood, no one really does it like Jada.

This new mixtape of all brand new Jada, titled "DJ White Owl-Jadakiss Street Kings 5", features more heat from the real King Of New York.New heaters include "What It Is", "Lil Bruh", "Trade Places", "I Miss You", "They Don't Know" with Uncle Murda, the excellent "You Want Me" with Alicia Keys, "Miss Me When I'm Gone" with his partner Styles P The Ghost, pus many more. With 23 tracks in total, you absolutely cannot lose. All hail the mighty D-Block...

DMX-My Last Words 2

One artist who has been virtually nonexistent on Hip-Hop Mixtapes is my man DMX. After a crazy hot career in the late 1990's which fizzled out with his subsequent drug use and multiple arrests (including an arrest at an airport for impersonating an FBI agent). DMX has had lifelong problems with drugs and the law. He is one of the only artists who could ever come close to 2Pac in sheer emotion and rawness. His first three albums (It's Dar And Hell Is Hot, Flesh Of My Flesh Blood Of My Blood, and And Then There Was X) are all hip-hop classics and a great example of New York's resurgence after years of the South dominating the rap scene.

The first DMX mixtape in years recently dropped out of the blue. Titled "DMX-My Last Words 2", this one features DMX back on his grind, trying to fight his way back into the fickle hip-hop world and remain relevant more than five years since his last offering. New tracks include the excellent "Change Gone Come", plus "Bomb Drop", "Stay Flawless" with NORE and Ja Rule, "Boy Back Up" with Mobb Deep, "That's My Baby" with Tyrese, "Silver Shadow", "It Ain't My Fault" and more. This music is rowdy and the usual that you would expect from DMX. Hopefully an album is in the works, and DMX will be thrust back into the hip-hop game back on track. I guess we will see.

DJ Wizard-I Got Blends For Days 3

A great Blend mixtape is a much sought-after thing. People constantly are emailing and writing blogs about their search for great blends mixtapes. What makes blend mixtapes so special is that they are absolutely different than anything you can find in the stores. They actually force the DJ to take it back old-school in a way, when DJ's had actual skills and it took more than a laptop to be a solid DJ.

The new mixtape, "DJ Wizard-I Got Blends For Days 3", takes the newest hottest tracks and blends them up in crazy new ways. Joints include Dre and Snoop's "Kush", Wiz Khalifa's "Blakc And Yellow", 50 Cent "Do You Think About Me", Usher "Daddy's Home", Rihanna "What's My Name", B.O.B "Wish Right Now", Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair" and many more. These are expertly crafted, and you will find nothing better in the mixtape game right now. Wizard is on his grind, and this mixtape shows that he is clearing a way to prove himself in the game.

DJ Wizard-Beyonce Legacy Of A Diva

Blends mixtapes are hard to do in the first place. A DJ must have the necessary skills to perfectly beatmatch, and he must have an ear that can decipher where to end one song and begin another while mashing them together. Also which flows would fit both time-wise and sound-wise over different beats. But a whole Beyonce blends cd? You gotta be joking. This is something I have never seen before. More evidence of DJ Wizard's come-up in the mixtape blend game.

Titled "DJ Wizard-Beyonce Legacy Of A Diva", this one is full of blends (every single track is a blend, matter of fact). Fresh blends include "Crazy In Love", the excellent throwback "Baby Boy" with Sean Paul, "Love Song" with Alicia Keys, "03 Bonnie And Clyde" with Jay-Z, "Ring The Alarm", "Halo", old Destiny's child classic "Soldier", plus many more. With 24 tracks in total, this one is a lot to take in at one sitting. Wizard makes these blends to sound as if the original song was this way, rather than a remix that sounds like a remix. Well done.

DJ Skee-Snoop Dogg Puff Puff Pass Tuesdays Mixtape Vol.1

One artist who you rarely hear from on the mixtapes is Snoop Dogg. Snoop Dogg Mixtapes rarely ever drop. Besides the couple classics he did with DJ Drama and one with DJ Fletch and some super old Whoo Kid ones, there have not been many mixtapes in Snoop's long career. Snoop Dogg is one artist who has found a magical way to remain relevant over years and years in hip-hop, which is known for being a fickle fanbase (like many others).

This brand new mixtape, "DJ Skee-Snoop Dogg Puff Puff Pass Tuesdays Vol.1", was done by the West Coast DJ Skee, who has grown in popularity and heaviness over the past few years. Skee gained much notoriety with his famous old Game mixtapes with Nu Jerzey Devil (You Know What It Is series). Here, Skee brings Snoop Dogg to the mixtape table with all brand new tracks to celebrate the long reign of the Doggfather. New joints include "Gangbang Rookie", "I Don't Need No Bitch" with Devin The Dude and Kobe, "In The Cadillac" with Daz and the Hustle Boys, "That Good" with Wiz Khalifa (who Snoop recently said he loves working with-they just click together), "In My 64" with the Game and Pharrell, plus new ones with 50 Cent, Juicy J, T-Pain,
Trey Songz and more. Definitely one for the collection.

Trey Songz-Still Mr. Steal Yo Girl

Of all of the RnB Mixtapes, Trey Songz mixtapes are easily in the top most popular ones. Trey has a smooth way about him, and he seems to get to the ladies like no one else can. He keeps dropping hit after hit, and his albums are always stellar releases. He also works magic with rappers on collabo songs, never seeming out of place no matter who he is paired up with.

This new mixtape, "Trey Songz-Still Mr. Steal Yo Girl", features all of the best new material from Trey Songz. New cuts include "Six Foot Seven Foot" on Lil' Wayne's beat, the excellent "Dirty Dancer" with Snoop Dogg, "May I" with Fabolous (together they sound like perfection), "Look At Me Now", "It's Gon Be On" featuring Rico Love, "Shawty What Your Name Is" with ex-Terror Squad member Cuban Link, and many more. Trey Songz is a great songwriter, and you can hear in his music that this is one of those things that seperates and elevates him above his peers. He even has a new Rocawear model campaign that has been all of the hip-hop magazines, such as XXL and Vibe.