I’m sure you know Terrance “Pusha T” Thornton as half of Clipse, a great VA rap duo who have had more than their fair share of battles with major labels. He just signed to Kanye West’s label, G.O.O.D. Music, and that’s led to a bunch of attention. His mixtape is pretty good–but not as good as it ought it be. He throws in with Fiddy and 
Pharrell, who are both a few years past their prime, digs in with Soulja Boy who was never close to being in Pusha’s league…In a lot of ways it feels like name dropping without artistic purpose. It feels like an attempt to gather hype for an album. Which is what most mixtapes are, but the good one also have content.
It’s not all bad, though. “I Still Wanna”, with Rick Ross and Clipse collaborator Ab-Liva, is hot as hell, and Open Your Eyes shows he’s still got it.
Raid-Pusha T Feat. 50 Cent & Pharrell
Get it here.
You might have better luck with Big K.R.I.T.’s “Return of 4eva.” The guy’s got a great sense of humor and irony, and doesn’t pretend to be something he’s not. One of my favorite new rappers.
Get it here.
And one I’m real excited about is Xaphoon Jones of Chiddy Bang. It’s most remixes and mashes–but the beats are what make Chiddy’s stuff so great (not that their lyrics aren’t hot, but the music is really where it’s at).
Here’s the back cover, and the DL link is below:
