1. Drake - So Far Gone - This will go down as the biggest mixtape of all time. What other mixtape has spawned 2 huge radio singles, a grammy nomination, and manage to sell 200k and counting after being released 9 months after a FREE release. Numbers don't lie. I initially thought Drake was reaching when I first heard it. After all, his previous two mixtapes featured the likes of Kardinall Offishal, Little Brother, Dwele, Rich Boy, Glenn Lewis, Nickelus F. ect.. This mixtape was flooded with singing and Lil Wayne features. Upon further review, its a excellent body of work, that elevated Drake from the unknown underground rapper from Toronto, to a Grammy Nominated Rookie of the Year.
2. J Cole - The Warm Up - fresh off signing with Roc Nation, NC's own couldnt have picked a better time to drop this tape. Unlike Drake, he had alot riding on this mixtape. The whole world was watching to see who's the 'new kid' Hov is putting his money behind. Well, he sure did deliver. North Carolina has another MC to be proud of. Now, if we can get him, 9th and Little Brother on one track.... ehh lets not get ahead of ourselves.
3. 50 Cent - War Angel - This was pretty much an album that FIF gave away. All original production, hardcore streets music we love 50 for. Honestly, if you don't like 50 at his rarest form, your just not gunna like him and you should stop checking for his music. This is the type of music that got 50 to where is now, and why the streets will never abandon him. See, the difference between 50 and Ja Rule is, 50 makes it a priority to please his street fan base w/ these mixtapes, and just when you think he lost a step.... He puts out something like this to prove you otherwise.
4. Lil Wayne - No Cielings - I actually forgot Wayne can rap to be honest. he fell off Mid - Late 2007 and hasn't been to same since. The end of 2009 he finally made his return, where you been nigga?
5. The Cool Kids - Gone Fishing ft. Don Cannon - I've been critical of The Cool Kid sin the past. I only thought they was popular due to there 80s themed style and music, which was 'trendy'. Even though I think thats still partially true, this mixtape was in constant rotation in the summer of 2009. Good work, but not for every one
6. Wiz Khalifa & Curren$y - How Fly - The 2009 Red and Meth if you ask me. Two people that turned there back on the industry and decided to do things there own way. Amd theyre doin a pretty good job at it.
7. Lloyd Banks - v.4 - He released this Volume of 'Return of the PLK' on his birthday. A double disc mixtape in which he proved he still have them slick punchlines, but his word play and song making ability has vastly improved from the Banks of years past. With 50 falling back from music, look at Banks to carry to tourch for The Unit and NYC hip hop in the near future.
8. Wale & 9th Wonder - Back To the Feature - This is actually the first time I took the time to listen to Wale, and that was off the strength of the '9th Wonder' part of the tittle. I was quite pleased, and the music on here is well rounded and for a person like me who never cared for him, it was a good introduction to a promising MC out of Dc.
9. Nipsey Hussle - West Coast is on the rise again, and Nipsey's buzz exploded in 2009, not many are able to have the music to compliment there buzz, Nipsey is the exception.
10. Willie The Kid - The Fly - After the release of his first EP 'Absolute Greatness' Willie went on and did what we all know him for, which is mixtapes. DJ Drama of coarse provided the commentary as Willie proves why he is one of the most underrated rookies of the new class, im sure he wont have t his problem for long.
Thats My top 10... Which is VERY debatable, its in no particular order. I judged the mixtapes off impact, song arrangement, and cohesiveness.
The only reason Lupe wasnt on the list, is because i felt these other mixtape took alot longer to arrange and more meat and potatoes was put on it. Lupe is just stupidly nice, and threw some bars together for us feins.
Honarable Mentions: - Joell Ortiz - Covering the classics, French Montana & Max B - Coke Waves 1 and 2, Triple C's White Sand, Wiz Khalifa - BAR, Curren$y - Jet Files, 50 Cent - Forever King, DJ Folk & Young Jeezy - Trap Or Die, Dj Drama & Cory Gunz - Heir To The Thrown, Jae Millz - Zone out Season vol.2, Pac Dov - Church League Champions, Termanology - Time Machine, Big Sean - FF vol. 2
There many more, this was a great year for mixtapes.
If you scroll down you can listen to my mixtape, and Look out for the new one dropping Jan 1st called 'The Commercial'.... Peace and Hip Hop
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4 comments:
i beg to differ. these are pretty much the same mixtapes that everybody's posting on their top 10blogs. Not to say some of them aren't good, but i don't think all of these were the top 10 mixtapes of the year
This is a decent list. No complaints.
Great to see the Cool Kids up there and my all time favorite How Fly. No surprise Drake's at # 1, that's a favorite of mine too.
I couldnt put my mixtapes in order I have to many favorites.
Are you not an XV fan?
I def think his tape should've been up there.
Loniii alot of people hit me about XV, ive heard him on features, and he's dope... twitter me his mixtape link so i can peep @mcallenyork
and AKZ theres plenty of room of debate, i can make another list of 10 totally diff. mixtapes and be happy.. but the impact factor played a big role in a couple big names tapes. Its def. a debatable list, I would even say.
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