In the world of rap, mixtapes started as giveaways designed to get the performer noticed, which usually meant including a harsh dis track or biting samples off the most popular cuts of the day. Over the years, though, they became places to dump studio outtakes and snippets of upcoming album cuts. Joey Bada remembers how the game was played back in 1999, and uses beats from the jazz and native-tongue bands of the era, among others, to remind you.

Fantastic stuff.

1999 is the debut of this Brooklyn boy who goes to my High School–props to Edward R. Murrow!

Oh, and did I mention that among the many quality beats he’s selected are cuts by MF DOOM and J Dilla?

‘Cause if that doesn’t tell you he knows what he’s doing, I don’t know what will.

Get it here or here.

Early candidate for best mixtape of the year.

Free here.

It’s been a while since I heard a mixtape that moved me.  But I did this week, and it’s from a producer I’ve never heard of.

Grant Parks’ 10th compilation CD features the likes of Sadat X of Brand Nubian, El Da Sensei of The Artifacts, Craig G., Phil G, Lumba Blackwood, Reks, and many others.

Here’s the tracklisting and links.

1. Late Night Pianos – Vvs Verbal
2. Madness – Lumba Blackwood
3. Say Whatever – Add-2, Phil G., and O-Type Star
4. Mic Pros – El Da Sensei, Internal Quest, and Phil G., cuts by DJ Hush
5. Sticks and Stones – Fish Grease
6. Runaway – Sadat X
7. Focused REMIX – Craig G., and Reks
8. You’re My Weed – Pugs Atomz
9. Who Brought The Ruckus – Encyclopedia Brown
10. Falling In Love – Crystal Lajuene
11. Wolf Tickets – Crazy 8 (RIP)
12. Wayne Brady – Kenny Bogus and Sandman
13. We Whats Happenin – Turtle Banxx
14. Slow Down – Sweet Juices
15. Designer Clothes – Straw (Tha Vegas Don), LiL Mikey, 2 Tone and D.O.A.

Get it for the price of an email addy here, or free here while suppliers keep it up.

A free offering from Fiddy.  I admit, 50 Cent doesn’t hold my interest the way he used to.  He used to have a brash swagger, now he just seems smug.

But there’s a few solid cuts on this one.  In particular, this track by 2 Chainz.  Damn fine stuff.

Riot Remix ft. 2 Chainz (Produced by DJ Spinz)

Get the whole thing from datpiff, here.

Don’t judge Crosby by his looks.  Please.  Because he looks like he’s nine.

But he’s actually got some game.  His album is free (here), and it’s got some good beats.  He needs to work on his flow a little more, but it’s worth taking a listen to hear a talent that just might become something.  Soon.

More great hip hop from Domo Genesis of Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, the same group of L.A. rappers who spawned Tyler, The Creator. But I dig Domo much more. On this tape, he raps over some Kanye, Scarface…A bunch of great stuff.

Get it here or here.

“Biggie and Nas put they ass in a blender, sprinkled some 50 and came out this nigga…”

I’m fairly certain that ASAP Rocky is dope.

I don’t usually like the whole chopped and/or screwed sound, and he plays around a lot with vocal FX, but his lyrics are undeniable.  I haven’t heard rhymes this aggressively nasty since those early Lil’ Wayne and Clipse mixtapes.

And he’s humble, too.  “My mixtape is a classic. It’s only right to put it out at retail,” he says.

Yeah.  And he’s got the major deal with RCA.  So I’m putting a link up to the entire mixtape.  It’ll come out in 2012.  In the meantime, you can find it everywhere.  And you can taste it below.

He reps Harlem, NYC.

Brand New Guy (feat. Schoolboy G)
http://soundowl.com/embed/232q

Trilla (feat. ASAP Twelvy & ASAP Nast) (prod. Beautiful Lou)
http://soundowl.com/embed/232p

Atlanta’s CyHi Da Prynce doesn’t wear his jurisdiction on his sleeve, which is good.  He’s accessible whether you’re  into that Fatlanta sound, or prefer something a little less laid back.

Jack of All Trades is the fifth mixtape form his artist recently signed by Kanye West, so enjoy it while you can: He’s gonna pop big soon, and then he’ll probably suck after that.

Taste it here:

Preacher
Download CyHi The Prynce Preacher
CyHi The Prynce Preacher

Get it here

Triple X isn’t Danny Brown’s best mixtape, but it’s still got his trademark wit, grit, and sly delivery.  He’s a grimey, hilarious rapper and XXX is a great introduction to his work.

Cop it here or here.

Young Sinatra, on the other hand, is pure fiya.

Shine On w/Lykke Li.

Get it here.

I’ve been FLOSS fan since I interviewed him on his mixape, The Art Or Fi$cal Intelligence, and called him possibly the next best rapper alive.

This latest one isn’t as humorous as his past stuff–it’s more about his struggles to succeed as a rapper.  He’s not as lighthearted as he used to be.  It sounds like the life of a struggling artist has taken its hold a little bit.  Just a little.  ‘Cause he’s still got mad flow.

Get it here.

Some others….

J. Cole’s new one!

Domo Genesis

Logic-”Young Sinatra.”

And check out this Biggie remix–wicked cool.

Everyday Struggle (Frogs in Socks remix).  Thanks to P&P for this one.