What do Hip Hop veteran Jim Jones, one of XXL Mag’s 2010 Freshmen, Freddie Gibbs and frontman of Harlem’s ASAP crew, ASAP Rocky all have in common? Mixtapes! They all dropped mixtapes this week, and it’s only Tuesday. Looks like the beginning to a good week. Some are hits, while some are misses. See what we thought over at Hip Hop Enquirer about this week’s mixtape releases.
Freddie Gibbs – Cold Day In Hell
If you appreciate Hip Hop that has a slight feel of ratchetness but still maintains lyricism and quality production then this is gonna be one of your Winter 2011 classics. Freddie Gibbs, the Gary, Indiana native and artist on Young Jeezy’s CTE imprint, dropped Cold Day In Hell yesterday. After getting off work at 2 am last night, I downloaded this with plans to let it marinate in my iTunes a little while before actually listening. Somehow I clicked on the track, “Menace II Society”. Was it because I saw that it featured Dom Kennedy? Maybe. Maybe not. The point is, I ended up listening and the mixtape runs the gamut from the ethereal, yet down to earth “Heaven Can Wait” to the rude, in your face “Neighborhood Hoez” featuring 2 Chainz.
Freddie’s lyrics are humble enough for the average music listener but paint enough of a story to impress the bougie Hip Hop elitist and the street influenced, industrial-sounding beats speak for themselves. The impressive list of features make this mixtape even more of a must-have, with appearances from Young Jeezy, Scrilla, Dom Kennedy, Juicy J, Freeway, Alley Boy and more.
ASAP Rocky – LiveLoveA$AP
Harlem’s ASAP Rocky who’s bucking the system by rejecting the whole “New York Rapper” label, proves that he can’t be labeled or defined with his mixtape, LiveLoveA$AP. Rocky, whose crew all puts “ASAP” before their name, created a name for himself on the internet, with his track “Purple Swag” that he’s most known for. With LiveLoveA$AP, ASAP Rocky reintroduces himself and you can see his artistic influence from all around the Hip Hop nation from the Southern-sounding “Houston Old Head” to the mellow, easy listening-inspired “Roll One Up”, produced by DJ Burn One. If you’re looking for someone to fill that pre-Black & Yellow Wiz Khalifa void in your music life, ASAP Rocky might be your kid.
Jim Jones – Vampire Life
Not the hugest fan of Jim Jones, and not the hugest fan of his mixtape that just dropped yesterday titled Vampire Life. Except for one or two, the beats don’t do anything for me, and probably won’t do much for you either. As far as lyrics, I find myself mostly tuning out Jim Jones and the few featured artists that appear such as Yo Gotti and Maino. Overall, Vampire Life is boring and not worth downloading but of course, listen for yourself and be the judge. Better luck next time, Jim Jones!
Let us know what you think, or what mixtape you feel should’ve been added.
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